Science - near-death experiences

The NDE and Science

Kevin Williams' research conclusions

Scientific = knowledge is always in a state of flux. New scientific discoveries come = along and overthrow long-held hypotheses. A good example is the attempt by humanity to explain the phenomenon of light. Ancient religious texts= around the world associated light with divine consciousness from which everything, including all other consciousness, originated. Before the dawn of science, = humanity relied on religious experience and philosophy to understand light and the cosmos. Then Isaac Newton came along and theorized that light is composed of particles. Further scientific discovery overthrew this theory and led to the theory of light as a wave. When the photoelectric effect was discovered, the wave theory was ultimately overthrown which led to the "quantum" = theory of light as a particle AND a wave. Interestingly enough, this duality corresponds with a current mathematical theory of chaos which may explain how consc= iousness might be both a part of the whole and the entire whole of a single non-localized consciousness.

Science has yielded some very unusual discoveries about light. The energy = of light is infinite. Light was pervasive at the beginning of the universe. All matter is light (electromagnetic = radiation). Time stops at the speed of light. This means that if you could travel at the speed of light, you = could travel anywhere in the universe and live forever (never age). The speed of = light is constant for all observers regardless of their relative speed or = direction. Light particles can communicate with each other. Human observation transforms light waves into light particles to experience reality. Humanity's scientific discovery of the nature of light is the cornerstone = of modern physics and natural law. It is also the cornerstone of NDE research and consciousness research.

NDE studies describe people having experiences with a beautiful and loving light while clinically= dead. People often describe this light in the same way that ancient religious texts describe divine consciousness. This demonstrates how scientists have = scaled the mountain of ignorance to overcome the dangerous pitfalls of confusion and conquered the steep summit of darkness to finally reach the peak of enlightenment = only to find a group of holy men who have been sitting there for thousands = of years.

So humanity's struggle to ascertain the nature of light and consciousness seems to continue to be elusive. The more one tries to concentrate on the = location and source of light and consciousness the more difficult they are to ascertain.= The old paradigm of reliance on th= e scientific method appears unable to conquer these challenges because it= assumes that nothing is true unless it can be quantified by the senses using this = method. And if consciousness has neither physical essence nor locality then this = paradigm may never be able to quantify it.

Thankfully, quantum theory is allowing new paradigms to take flight such as the theory that = the basic building block of the universe is not matter but = consciousness itself. This transce= ndent view of consciousness also is found in ancient religious texts. It is also found in recent scientific= studies on prayer which show that hospital patients benefit from the prayers of strangers even when they aren't aware that someone is praying for them. = These studies have been interpreted by researchers to be an indication that consciousness behaves much = like a magnetic field which can be affected by other magnetic fields.

The old paradigm of observing, theorizing, and predicting doesn't work very= well when studying light and consciousness - especially when it concerns NDEs. It also allows "paradig= m cops" to dismiss NDEs as being caused by brain anomalies even = though the cause of NDEs is not relevant to whether the experience is real or not. Nevertheless, recent studies have ruled out brain anomalies. The old = paradigm denies a whole range of valid experiences including those = described in ancient religious texts. It is this paradigm of the West that vehemently disregards out-of-body realms of consciousness. Albert= Einstein, the father of the new paradigm, may have the old paradigm in = mind when he said, "All knowledge of reality starts from experience and = ends in it." The new paradigm suggests that we don't merely experience = reality; we create reality with our minds. And if minds can transcend physical = bodies and experience clear visions of verified events which they could not= have possibly experienced under the old paradigm, then it is time to = abandon the old paradigm and focus on the new one. This became even more = obvious when in December of 2001, Dr. Pim van Lommel published an article in The Lancet, the United Kingdom's highly = respected journal of medicine, about a study he conducted showing that 18 = percent of clinically dead patients recalled having a NDE. He also = documented verified events that were experienced by = patients from a perspective removed from their bodies.

Verified evidence of a transcendent consciousness? Survival after death? So= where's the confetti and streamers? Why is there mostly silence from the scientific community at large about it?=20 Here's why.

Let's hope NDE veridical evidence isn't largely ignored by the scientific community as it has been with scientific evidence of reincarnation. When = Dr. Ian Stevenson completed a study and published his = findings in a book entitled Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation (1967), he provided outstanding = scientific reasoning which concluded that reincarnation is the only viable = explanation that fits the data he collected. He considered every possible alternative explanation = considering twenty cases of children who were spontaneously able to describe a previous= lifetime as soon as they learned to talk. Stevenson ruled out each alternative explanation using one or more aspects = of his cases. Later research supported his case in favor of the existence = of reincarnation. His study is reproducible and anyone who doubts the validity of his study can repeat it for themselves. But because of the old paradigm, this great scientific = discovery will remain generally ignored by the scientific community and the world. So = until the new paradigm is firmly established, reincarnation and the transcendental nature of consciousness will continue to be considered the greatest scientific discoveries of all time by those who can see the = quantum light with quantum eyes.

In the= meantime, the scientific evidence supporting the survival of consciousness after death is quietly waiting for the world to notice while a new holistic synthesis of science and religion is emerging from the=20 quantum mind of humanity.

Scientific Discoveries Resulting=20 From NDEs

(1)	NDEs are proven to be real events

	Gravitational forces = exerted upon fighter pilots in a centrifuge has revolutionized the field of consciousness studies by = providing experimental proof that NDEs are real events because they can be replicated in the laboratory. (Dr. Jim Whinnery)

(2)	A = NDE cured cancer

	Dr. Ken Ring documented the case of Ralph Duncan who died of leukemia and had a= NDE. During his NDE, Jesus cured him and told him he no longer had leukemia. = Duncan returned from death cancer-free. (Howard Mikel)

(3)	A = NDE cured congenital blindness

	A blind and mute 67 = year-old diabetic woman with severe heart problems was about to undergo = open-heart surgery when a Being of Light appeared and healed her of all her= illnesses. The cardiologists could offer no explanation for her cure. (Dr. Ken Ring)

(4)	A = NDE healed abdominal sickness

	Five days after = abdominal surgery, an English patient had complications and died. During = his NDE, a Being of Light healed him. The patient returned from death = healed. (Margot Grey)

(5)	A = NDE advanced biological and medical research

	After his NDE, = Mellen-Thomas Benedict brought back a great deal of scientific information = concerning biophotonics, cellular communication, quantum biology, and DNA research. Mellen-Thomas Benedict currently holds six U.S. patents. (Dr. Ken Ring)

(6)	A NDE supports astrophysical research

	Mellen-Thomas Benedict's NDE supports a number of scientific theories such as: an infinite number of Big Bangs, the reality of zero-point space, a better = understanding of black holes. = Mellen-Thomas Benedict believes in the future science will be able to quantify spirit. (Dr. Ken Ring)

(7)	A NDE advanced molecular chemistry

	Olaf Swenson had a NDE = from a botched tonsillectomy at the age of 14 for which he experienced a = timeless spaceless dimension which physicists call the "Omega = Point". Because of the information gained from his NDE, he later = went on to develop over 100 patents in molecular chemistry. (Dr. Melvin Morse)

(8)

NDEs support Einstein's theory of time travel

Albert Einstein's = theory of relativity allows for the possibility of time travel. During a NDE, some people have reported traveling back in time and some have reported traveling into the future.

(a)	I see myself in = the midst of a huge crowd. It=92s not a modern crowd. They are dressed in the clothes of Bible times .... I watch in horror as Jesus is nailed to the cross. (Don = Brubaker)

(b)	I explored the Roman = Empire, Babylon, the times of Noah and Abraham. Any era you can name, I went there. (Dr. George Rodonaia)

(c)	The light replied, = "Let us go=A0back in time, as far back as possible, and tell me how far = back we should go". I was thinking for some time. Eventually I blurted out,= "Stone Age?" I did not have much time to think about all this, because, = all of a sudden, I saw human beings back on Earth. I was looking down on a = group of people, men and women, who were dressed in furs, sitting around = a=A0campfire. (Guenter Wagner)

(d)	The box opened to reveal what appeared to be a tiny television picture of a world event that was yet to happen. As I watched, I felt myself drawn right into the picture, where I was able to live the event. This happened twelve times, and twelve times I stood in the midst of many events that would shake the world in the future. (Dannion = Brinkley)

(9)

a NDE supports a theory of consciousness

One particular theory = of consciousness is supported by NDE research an involves consciousness expansion after death. Stanislav Grof explains this theory:

(a)

My first idea was that= it [consciousness] has to be hard-wired in the brain. I spent quite a bit of = time trying to figure out how something like that is possible.=A0Today, I = came to the conclusion that it is not coming from the brain. In that sense,= it supports what Aldous = Huxley=20 believed after he had some powerful psychedelic experiences and was trying to link= them to the brain. He came to the conclusion that maybe the brain acts as = a kind of reducing valve that actually protects us from too much cosmic = input ... I don=92t think you can locate the source of consciousness. I am = quite sure it is not in the brain =96 not inside of the skull ... It actually, according to my experience, would lie beyond time and space, = so it is not localizable. You actually come to the source of consciousness = when you dissolve any categories that imply separation, individuality, time, space and so on. You just experience it as a presence. (Stanislav Grof)

(10)

The expansion of consciousness reported during NDEs accounts supports a theory of = consciousness.

The following NDE descriptions of consciousness expansion supports the theory of = consciousness described above by Stanislav Grof. It theorizes that the brain acts as a reducing valve of cosmic input to produce consciousness. At death, this reducing-valve function ceases and consciousness is then free to expand. The following = NDEs support this:

(a)	I realized that, as = the stream was expanding, my own consciousness was also expanding to take = in everything in the Universe! (Mellen-Thomas Benedict)

(b)	My mind felt like a = sponge, growing and expanding in size with each addition ... I could feel = my mind expanding and absorbing and each new piece of information somehow = seemed to belong. (Virginia Rivers)

(c)	In your life review = you=92ll be the universe. (Thomas Sawyer)

(d)	This white light began= to infiltrate my consciousness. It came into me. It seemed I went out into= it. I expanded into it as it came into my field of consciousness. (Jayne Smith)

(e)	My presence fills the = room. And now I feel my presence in every room in the hospital. Even the = tiniest space in the hospital is filled with this presence that is me. I = sense myself beyond the hospital, above the city, even encompassing earth. I am melting into the universe. I am everywhere at once. (Josiane Antonette)

(f )	I felt myself = expanding and expanding until I thought, "I'm going to burst!" The moment I= thought, "I'm going to burst!", I suddenly found myself alone, back where = this being had met me, and he had gone. (Margaret Tweddell)

(g)	Susan had an out-of-body experience where she left her body and grew very big, as= big as a planet at first, and then she filled the=A0solar system and = finally she became as large as the universe. (Susan Blackmore)

(11)

NDEs affirm the reality of psychic phenomena

(a)	After=20 Dr. Yvonne Kason's NDE, she receives = psychic visions of the health status of people. She successfully diagnosed a friend with meningitis although there = were absolutely no signs of it. (Tom Harpur)

(b)	Visit the NDE and the Future web page for a complete list.

(12)

NDEs have influenced some of humanity's greatest philosophies and religions

(a)

The famed Greek philosopher, Plato, = described in his legendary work entitled Republic, the NDE account of a = soldier named Er. Plato integrated at least three elements of this NDE into = his philosophy:

(I.)	The departure of the soul from the cave of shadows to see the light of truth

(II.)	The flight of the soul to a vision of = pure celestial being

(III.)	Its subsequent recollection of the = vision of light, which is the very purpose of philosophy.

(b)

The man responsible = for making Christianity a world religion, the Apostle Paul, described his own NDE as follows:

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know - God knows. And I know that this person - whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows - was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that people are not permitted to tell. (2 Cor. 12:2-4)

In this letter, Paul based his authority as an Apostle on this NDE. Some or all of his revelations of Jesus certainly came from this NDE. The inspiration of much of the New Testament can be attributed in some way to Paul's NDE.

Scientific Theories Explaining = NDEs

(1) Dying Brain = Theory

PRO:	Because NDEs have many common core = elements, this shows that they are not spiritual voyages outside of the body, but are a function of the = dying brain. All brains die in the same way and that is why all NDEs have = essential core elements which are the same. They are the result of neurotransmitters in the brain shutting down = which creates lovely illusions. (Susan = Blackmore)

CON:	Because NDEs have many common core = elements, this suggests that they are spiritual voyages outside of the body. Also, if the dying brain= creates NDE illusions, what is the purpose for doing it? If our brains are= only a high-tech computer-like lump of tissue which produces our mind and personality, why does it bother to create = illusions at the time of death? If everything, including the mind and personality, are about to disintegrate, why would the brain produce a = last wonderful Grand Finale vision? Even if NDE elements can be reduced to only a series of brain reactions, this does not negate = the idea that NDEs are more than a brain thing. Read this article on the errors of the pseudo-skeptics of NDEs.

(2) Lack of Oxygen = Theory

PRO:	Neurologist Ernst Rodin offers cerebral = anoxia as a possible cause of NDEs of the dying brain. Such anoxia produces= a confusing dream-like state of delusions and hallucinations. (Susan Blackmore)

CON:	Cardiologist Dr. Michael Sabom responded that the NDE = involves a clear awareness and a more mystical content, and NDEs have also occurred in people without anoxia. Pim = van Lommel led a study concerning NDEs during cardiac arrest. In our study all patients had a = cardiac arrest, they were clinically dead, unconsciousness that was caused = by insufficient blood supply to the brain, and the EEG has become flat. In patients cardiac arrest (ventricular = fibrillation) is sometimes induced for testing internal defibrillators. In these patients the EEG becomes usually flat within 10-15= seconds from the onset of syncope due to the (reversible) total loss of function of the brain. According to the = physiologic theory, all patients in our study should have had NDE, but only= 18% reported NDE.

(3) Right Temporal Lobe = Theory

PRO:	Neurologist Dr. Michael Persinger argues that instability and activity in the brain's = right temporal lobe is responsible for religious experiences of deep meaningfulness, early memories, and out-of-body = experiences. (see Temporal lobe theory page)

CON:	Dr. Melvin Morse agrees that the right temporal lobe shows NDE-like = activity, but he sees it as the mediating bridge for a spiritual experience, not reductionistically as nothing but brain activity (Morse, 1992). Also, the characteristic emotions that result from temporal lobe stimulation are fear, sadness, and loneliness, not the calm = and love of a NDE. While scientists may be discovering a mechanism associated with NDEs, this does not mea NDEs are strictly = produced by this mechanism. A mechanical function associated with NDEs does not negate the idea that NDEs might be more than = a mechanical function.

(4) Cortical Disinhibition = Theory

PRO:	Susan = Blackmore interprets the tunnel and the light as an optical illusion = created by the effects of anoxia and drugs, creating cortical disinhibition, = with the effect of random light spots radiating from the center of a dark = internal visual field.

CON:	Dr. Michael Sabom tested and rejected this brain-only argument. While brain= neurology is obviously a part of NDEs, he says, it is not a sufficient explanation because of the verified or veridical aspects = found in some NDEs. This aspect suggests the possibility that consciousness can exist outside of the body.

(5) Hallucination = Theory

PRO:	The psychiatrist Dr. Ronald = Siegel = interprets NDEs and similar imaginative visions of= the afterlife as hallucinations, similar to the effects of psychedelic drugs or anesthesia. (Hallucination Theory support)

CON:	Psychologist John Gibbs states, "NDE accounts from varied times and cultures were found to be more orderly, logical, defined and predictable than comparable accounts from drug or illness-induced hallucination. Impressive data from Tart, Moody and Carl Becker also argue for the objective elements of a NDE, including returning with knowledge later verified and third-party observations of odd death-bed phenomena (such as luminosity or apparitions). Peter Fenwick, a neuropsychiatrist, notes that = drug induced hallucinations take place while the subject is conscious. During a NDE the = subject is unconscious. While in the state of unconsciousness, the brain cannot create images. Even if they did, the = subject would not be able to remember them. NDEs involve clear, lucid memories. Also, drug induced hallucinations distort reality = while NDEs have been described as "hyper-reality."

(6) Depersonalization = Theory

PRO:	Noyes and Kletti = theorizes that a defense of the nervous system stalls off mental = disorganization during the death crisis by presenting an altered passage of time, vivid and accelerated thoughts, a = sense of detachment, unreality, automatic movements, and revival of memories. (see Depersonalization theory page)

CON:	Dr. Michael Sabom argues that depersonalization fails to account for all = the elements of NDEs. Some NDE elements do not fit into the depersonalization mode, such as the strong spiritual and mystical = feelings, and the increased alertness and awareness. Also, the vast majority of experiencers reject the idea that their NDE is = the result of depersonalization. To reduce what was a profound and transforming experience to nothing more than a set of = neurotransmitters going on the blink is a bit like seeing Michelangelo's statue of David as nothing more than several tons of = marble.

(7) Memory of Birth = Theory

PRO:	Otto Rank proposed that the birth = trauma is behind all neuroses, for all anxiety-producing experiences of = separation reactivate the separation from the mother at birth (Brown, 52-53). This theory has = been modified to explain the NDE. The cosmologist Carl Sagan proposed that the tunnel and light are a reliving of the infant's= descent down the birth canal (Sagan, 353-68). = (see Memory of birth page)

CON:	Carl Becker asserts that the infant descending the birth canal has = its eyes closed and its brain too undeveloped to allow memories of birth (Becker, 1982). Similarly, Susan = Blackmore showed that people born by caesarian section have the tunnel experience and OBEs in equal proportion to those born naturally = (Blackmore, 1983). Also, birth is often an unpleasant experience for babies. In = contrast, NDEs are often described as extremely pleasurable.

(8) Endorphins = Theory

PRO:	The brain's naturally produced = narcotics, such as the endorphins, have been offered by endocrinologist Daniel= Carr to explain why, at the very moment when the body's death would be expected to bring = incredible pain and terror, the NDE surprises us with pleasure, calm, and peace.

CON:	Dr. Melvin Morse responds that patients receiving prescribed narcotics = similar to the endorphins experienced no NDEs (Morse, 1989).

(9) Denial of Death = Theory

PRO:	The NDE is seen by some Freudians as a = denial of death, a hallucinatory wish fulfillment defending the ego from = its impending annihilation.

CON:	A large number of people who have = NDEs are initially not even aware they have died. In these cases death is not even = considered or denied (e.g., Dr. George Ritchie, Rev. Howard Storm).

(10) Fear of Death = Theory

PRO:	Severe anxiety and stress at the time= of death creates a disassociative= state.

CON:	Pim van = Lommel led a study concerning NDEs during cardiac arrest. Only a very small percentage of = patients said they had been afraid the last seconds preceding the cardiac arrest. Also the given = medication made no difference.

(11) Darwin's Theory of = Evolution

PRO:	This theory holds that NDE reports = are a deliberate ploy of humans to help the human race to adapt better to = the inevitable end of their lives.=A0This is based on the survival of the fittest which = means that every species has the primary urge to struggle to increase its hold on the planet and guarantee the survival of its = descendants.

CON:	This theory does not explain why NDEs= are erratic, or why we shunted down an evolutionary sidetrack for years by= making NDEs something that people are reluctant to talk about.

(12) Consciousness Survives Bodily = Death Theory

PRO:

There exists strong circumstantial evidence that = consciousness can survive bodily death. While this evidence does not = constitute scientific evidence it does make survival after bodily death a = possibility that can be upheld in a court of law. The evidence for survival= can be found in science, philosophy, history, metaphysics, religion, and = anecdotal testimony. Quantum physics makes some scientific theories of the = NDE outmoded while supporting elements of NDEs. Scientific studies support = the possible validity of NDEs elements such as being out of the body, the = retention of mental images during brain death, veridical experiences of = autoscopic events, the ability to accurately foresee the future, receiving = information that leads to new scientific discoveries, people born blind = being able to see, groups of people sharing a single experience, unbiased = children having similar experiences as adults, causing experiencers to be = drastically changed and convinced of survival after death, the evidence = supporting the objectivity of NDEs, and the affirmation of ancient = religious concepts found around the world. Some of the skeptical arguments = against the survival theory are often not valid and the burden of proof = against survival has shifted to the skeptics. The following is a list of = the evidence supporting NDEs as the survival of consciousness.

(a)	Quantum physics makes = some scientific theories of the NDE outmoded.

	New developments in quantum physics shows that we cannot know phenomena apart from the observer. Arlice Davenport challenges the hallucination theory of NDEs as outmoded because the field theories of physics now suggest new paradigm options available to explain NDEs. Ma= rk Woodhouse argues that the traditional materialism/dualism battle over NDEs may be solved by Einstein. Since matter is now seen as a form of energy, an energy body alternative to the material body could explain the NDE. This is supported by Melvin Morse who describes how NDEs are able to realign the charges in the electromagnetic field of the human body so that somehow the brain's wiring is renewed. He reports on patients who have NDEs and who recover from such diseases as pneumonia, cardiac arrest, and cancer (1992, 153-54). Perhaps the brain is like a kind of receiver (such as a television, radio, or cell phone). What is received (i.e., signals, music, voice) is not produced by the receiver, but exists separately as electromagnetic waves that are processed by the receiver to make them visible or audible to the senses.

(b)	Quantum physics support elements found in NDEs.

	Similarities can be found between = elements of NDEs and in quantum field concepts of = non-locality, universal interconnectedness, a non-material dimension = without our time-space relationship, and in the concept of subjectivity. = All events are related and influence each other instantaneously and in = reciprocity, and only subjectivity remains.

(c)	Scientific studies support the out-of-body aspect of NDEs.

	Pim = van Lommel led a study concerning the NDEs of research subjects who had= cardiac arrest. The findings of the study suggests that research subjects = can experience consciousness, with self-identity, cognitive function and = memories, including the possibility of perception outside their body, = during a flat EEG. Those research subjects who had NDEs report that their = NDE was a bonafide preview of the afterlife.

(d)	Memories and images are produced and retained by standstill patients.

	See Dr. Michael Sabom's groundbreaking Atlanta study.

(e)	People see and hear verifiable events far from their bodies = during a NDE.

	See Dr. Charles Tart's = research subject, Pam Reynolds, Dr. George Rodonaia, Dr. George Ritchie, and various NDE experiencers.

(f )	Strange aspects to NDEs cannot be explained by brain = chemistry alone.

	If NDEs are merely hallucinations, why do the vast majority of experiencers report being told an identical and unusual message? This unusual message is that = they must return because their time for death hasn't come, or some variation of this. Assuming that NDEs are merely hallucinations, it is odd that people are having mass hallucinations= of receiving similar unusual messages.

(g)	People born blind are able to see during a NDE.

	See Vicki Umipeg's NDE account.

(h)	Groups of people can share the same NDE at the same = time.

	NDE research Arvin= Gibson documented the account of a group of firefighters who succumbed to a forest fire. During their NDEs they saw each other outside of their bodies and had a most interesting experience. See the Group NDE web page involving May Eulitt and Jake.

(i )	People are able to successfully foresee future events during= a NDE.

	Some of these events were the Second World War, Desert Storm, and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. See the NDE and the = Future web page.

(j )	People are declared dead and left for dead for several days = during a NDE.

	A Russian scientist was declared dead and put in the morgue for three days during which he had a NDE. See Dr. George = Rodonaia's NDE account. Also, visit Emanuel Tuwagirairmana's NDE account.

(k)	Unbiased children have NDEs that are similar to adult NDEs.

	See Dr. PMH Atwater's research on childhood NDEs.

(l )	Scientific discoveries have been made from the direct result of NDEs.

	See the list of scientific discoveries at the top of this web page.

(m)	NDEs= can be viewed to be archetypal initiatory journeys.

	Dr. Ken Ring stated that NDEs can be viewed psychologically as archetypal initiatory journeys involving= a death of one's old ego and a rebirth of a new self. An adequate = interpretation must incorporate the spiritual realm of kundalini experiences, the=20 imaginal realm, and the mind at large. As Ring = envisions in an essay in this book, this paradigm can deconstruct our = traditional Western worldview. It may lead to a dramatic next step in the = evolution of a more ecological and more compassionate = consciousness.

(n)	People are dramatically changed as a result from having a = NDE.

	The philosophy of Positivism, founded= by A. J. Ayer, is the philosophy that anything not verifiable by the senses is nonsense. And since NDEs mark the end of the senses, the survival of the senses after death is nonsense. But this philosophy is challenged by its founder A. J. Ayer himself. Later in life, Ayer had a NDE where he saw a red light. His NDE made him a changed man: "My recent = experiences, have slightly weakened my conviction that my genuine = death...will be the end of me, though I continue to hope that it will = be." (Ayer, 1988 a, b).

(o)	People are absolutely convinced they were out of their body = during a NDE.

	See the Evidence of NDEs web page.

(p)

NDEs= can be considered an objective experience.

The philosopher Carl Becker examined four ways in which NDEs may be considered objective:


(I.)	Paranormal knowledge that is later = verified

(II.)	The similarity of=20 deathbed events in different = cultures

(III.)	Differences between=20 religious expectations and visionary experiences

(IV.)	Third-party observations of visionary figures, indicating that they were not merely subjective hallucinations (Becker, 1984).

(q)	Other paranormal phenomena supports NDEs to be experiences = of the survival of consciousness.

	These related phenomena = include: deathbed = visions, quantum = physics, dream research, out-of-body = research, after-death = communications research, reincarnation research, hypnosis, synchronicity, remote viewing, and consciousness research.

(r )	NDEs= have been happening for thousands of years and are not a modern = phenomenon.

	See the NDE accounts associated with Plato, = the Apostle Paul, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

(s)	Skeptical arguments against the survival theory of NDEs are = often not valid.

	Sociologist Dr. Allan Kellehear states that some scientific theories are often = presented as the most logical, factual, objective, credible, and = progressive possibilities, as opposed to the allegedly subjective, = superstitious, abnormal, or dysfunctional views of mystics. The rhetorical = opinions of some NDE theories are presented as if they were scientific (Kellehear, 1996, 120). Many skeptical arguments against the = survival theory are actually arguments from pseudo-skeptics who often = think they have no burden of proof. Such arguments often based on scientism= with assumptions that survival is impossible even though survival has not = been ruled out. Faulty conclusions are often made such as, "Because NDEs = have a brain chemical connection then survival is impossible." = Pseudo-skeptical arguments are sometimes made that do not consider the entire body of circumstantial evidence supporting the = possibility of survival or do not consider the possibility of new paradigms. Such = pseudo-skeptical claims are often made without any scientific evidence.

(t )	The = burden of proof has shifted to skeptics of the survival theory of NDEs.

	All neurological theories that = conclude NDEs to be only a brain-thing, must show how the core elements of the NDE occur subjectively = because of specific neurological events triggered by the approach of death.= These core elements include: the out-of-body state,=20 paranormal knowledge, the tunnel, the golden light, the voice or presence, the = appearance of deceased relatives, and=20 beautiful vistas. Perhaps the final word should go to=20 Nancy Evans Bush, a NDEr with the International Association for Near-Death Studies, who said: "There is no human experience of any description = that can't simply be reduced to a biological process, but that in no way = offsets the meaning those experiences have for us=A0-=A0whether it's = falling in love, or grieving, or having a baby."

CON:

The survival of consciousness after death has never been proven using the scientific method.

NDE Research = Conclusions

Read current news = articles of NDE research supporting the survival of consciousness from the = body.

Dr. Raymond Moody: common NDE aspects:

(1)	Strange sounds	= (2)	Peace and painlessness

= (3)	Out-of-body experience	(4)	Tunnel

= (5)	Traveling rapidly	= (6)	Seeing light beings

= (7)	Life review	= (8)	Reluctance to return

Dr. Ken = Ring: research findings:

(1)	Moody's findings are affirmed.

(2)	They happen to people of all races, genders, ages, education, marital status, and social class.

(3)	Religious orientation is not a factor.

(4)	People are convinced of the reality of their experience.

(5)	Drugs do not appear to be a factor.

(6)	NDEs are not hallucinations.

(7)	NDEs often involve unparalleled feelings.

(8)	People lose their fear of death and appreciate life more.

(9)	People's lives are transformed.

Dr. PMH = Atwater: The content of the NDE involves an otherworldly awareness that can be brief and consist of= only one or two elements, or can be more involved, even lengthy, and = consist of multiple elements. Common elements include:

(1)	Greatly enhanced thoughts.

= (2)	A darkness or light that is perceived as alive, intelligent = and powerful.

= (3)	A sensation of movement and/or = presence.

(4)	A sudden overwhelming flood of emotion.

= (5)	An encounter with an identified deceased person or= animal, or an encounter with an apparently nonphysical entity.

= (6)	A life review.

Dr. Melvin Morse: The brain's connection to a higher power can be validated = by indisputable scientific facts such as:

(1)	Memories can exist outside of the = brain.

(2)	Scientific evidence supporting = reincarnation.

(3)	Anecdotal evidence that people exist after death in some form of energy.

(4)	People often exhibit supernatural powers.

(5)	Right temporal lobe activity verifies the reality = of them.

(6)	The mind/brain can be induced to have = them.

(7)	Brain = research is able to support the reality of an unseen power.

(8)	More conclusions can be found here.

Dr. Jeffrey and = Jody Long: Of 302 near-death experiences:

(1)

29%

saw the Being of Light as a familiar being.

Of the percentage who saw familiar beings:

(a)	25.9%	saw blood relatives.

(b)	22.9%	saw religious figures.

(2)

25.8%

saw the Being of Light as an unfamiliar being.

Of the 166 people who saw beings:

(a)	53%	saw= familiar beings.

(b)	47%	saw= unfamiliar beings.

Dr. Michael = Sabom: The Atlanta study concluded:

= (1)	NDEs provide veridical evidence.

(2)	What people see and hear while they are dead has a factual = basis.

(3)	These people accurately recall events that are happening around them when their brain isn't functioning.

Pim van Lommel: The = Dutch study on NDEs involved:

(1)	The replication of the veridical phenomenon = reported by Dr. Michael Sabom.

(2)	Lommel described a patient who was able to = describe verifiable events from a vantage point far away from his body.

Dr. Barbara = Rommer: Less-than-positive NDEs can be classified into four types:

(1)	= NDEs that are misinterpreted positive NDEs.

(2)	NDEs involving a void which is very unpleasant.

(3)	NDEs that involve visions of hell.

(4)	NDEs that involve frightening life = reviews.

Dr. Karl Jansen: Ketamine research findings:

(1)	NDEs and ketamine produce identical visions.

(2)	They both = induce real visions of a real god.

(3)	Ketamine = affects the right temporal lobe, the hippocampus and associated structures in the = brain.

(4)	NDEs are an important phenomenon that can = safely be reproduced by ketamine.

Dr. Peter Fenwick: On the difference between hallucinations and NDEs, = Fenwick states in Tom Harpur's documentary Life After Death that drug-induced hallucinations are not the same as = NDEs:

The difficulty with those theories is that when you create these wonderful states by taking drugs, = you=92re conscious. In the NDE, you are unconscious. One of the things we know about brain = function in unconsciousness, is that you cannot create images and if you = do, you cannot remember them ... [During a NDE] the brain isn=92t functioning. It=92s not there. It=92s destroyed. = It=92s abnormal. But, yet, it can produce these very clear experiences ... An unconscious state is when the brain ceases to function. For example, if = you faint, you fall to the floor, you don=92t know what=92s happening and = the brain isn=92t working. The memory systems are particularly sensitive to= unconsciousness. So, you won=92t remember anything. But, yet, after one of= these [NDE] experiences, you come out with clear, lucid memories ... This is a = real puzzle for science. I have not yet seen any good scientific = explanation which can explain that fact. (Dr. Peter Fenwick)

Dr. Ian = Stevenson: Stevenson's ground-breaking reincarnation research = concluded that birthmarks and congenital deformities have one to five = characteristics in common:

(1)	The person expresses a wish to be reborn through a = particular woman.

= (2)	A woman has an after-death visitation by an = apparition who tells her that he/she are to be reborn through her.

= (3)	In some cultures where reincarnation is a = dominant belief, newborn children are checked for recognizable birthmarks = to determine their past-life identity.

= (4)	A child (usually = between 2 and 4 years) talks about having memories of a past life.

= (5)	A child feels = uncomfortable with its current family.

Kevin Williams: These are statistics of common elements found in fifty = NDEs:

69%	Overwhelming love	65%	Mental telepathy

62%	Life review	56%	Being of light

56%	Tremendous ecstasy	46%	Unlimited knowledge

46%	Afterlife realms	46%	Told not ready

44%	Shown the future	42%	Tunnel

37%	Jesus	31%	Forgotten knowledge

27%	Fear	21%	Homecoming

21%	Told of past lives	19%	Hell

17%	City of light	13%	Temple of knowledge

10%	See earthbound souls	6%	Suicide NDE

0%	See a devil

Events That Can Trigger a = NDE

The main triggers to induce a = NDE:

Many Scientific Discoveries Come From Another Dimension

Many of our important = inventions were first created in the spiritual universe by spirit prodigies. Then individuals on = earth receive the inspiration to create these inventions here. (Betty Eadie)

Spirituality and science are one and the = same. (Lynnclaire Dennis)

Science and technology are = gifts from God bestowed through inspiration. People on earth have literally been led to = these discoveries, many of which later became perverted by humanity to use for = its own destruction. (Rev. Howard = Storm)

The mushroom cloud of the = atomic bomb is one of the holiest archetypes created by human beings. It, more than any = religion or philosophy on earth, brought humanity together all of a sudden, to a new = level of consciousness. The power behind the atom is the power of God - the Force = that holds all things together. (Mellen-Thomas = Benedict)

Television-like Technology Exists in the Afterlife

Then I was instantly zapped to a domed room with square screens up and down the walls, on the ceiling - hundreds of television screens. On each screen was a home movie = of one event in my life. (Jeanie = Dicus)

In a sacred room, we see our lives flash before us on a "scanning machine." This device is a domed screen where our lives are placed out in three-dimensional holographic form. (Sylvia Browne)

It was a lot like looking at a hologram, but full color 3D with sound and scent. (Hal)

He is told it resembles a movie theater which allows souls to see themselves in the future, playing different roles in various settings. (Dr. = Michael Newton)

In response they used a machine to show her a scene from earlier in her life. (Betty Andreason)

With that I saw frames appear like screens on a television set. (Lou Famoso)

The box opened to reveal what appeared to be a tiny television picture of a world event that was yet to happen. (Dannion Brinkley)

He told me what I had to do in life and had me go to the other side of the room and look down into something like a television set so I could see my future. (Clara)

Next we went to a place she called the = lookout. It appeared to be only an overhang on a high cliff, but the view = was intensely magnified. I could look into the world I had left behind as = though peering into a monitor, if I chose to do so. No one spent a lot of = time here, Maggi said, but some occasionally stopped by to check on what = was going on in the Earthly realm. (Jan Price)

Computer Technology = Exists in the Afterlife

Albert Einstein seen operating a heavenly computer:

Next we materialized in a computer room ... Some of [the people there] I knew by name, others by reputation; and all had time for me, to=20 teach me if ever I need help understanding. One of them was Albert = Einstein,=20 whom I had always admired greatly but distantly, and this great man took=20 time away from his duties to encourage me. He asked me if I would care to= =20 operate the computer, which was very complex and beautiful and designed to= =20 guide the path of destinies. I was flattered, but felt incompetent and=20 unsure of myself in the presence of such greatness. I told him I would like= =20 to try, but I was afraid of making a mistake. He laughed greatly, and=20 reassured me, saying that error was not possible in this place.

Encouraged, I seemed instinctively to know how to operate this unusual machine, and waved my = hand in a pattern over the large keyboard, rather like playing a piano without touching the keys. I knew instantly the task had been performed perfectly, and it had somehow been of great benefit to someone. I was suffused with = the joy of a job well done. I would gladly spend eternity here at this = rewarding work if only for the tremendous feeling of well-being I had experienced as = a result. (Dr. Allen Kellehear)

Through open doors I glimpsed enormous rooms filled with complex equipment. In several of the rooms hooded figures bent over intricate charts and diagrams, or sat at the controls of elaborate consoles flickering with lights ... Years later, when I picked up the December 1952 issue of Life magazine and saw some of the instruments in the second U.S. atomic submarine engine, I had the strange feeling of deja vu until I recalled seeing the very same instrument in one of these labs. (Dr. George Ritchie)

Betty saw a large machine, similar to a computer, but much more elaborate and powerful. Betty realized that all important = things on earth are first created in spirit. (Betty Eadie)

"The unconscious psyche believes in life after death" -=20 Carl Jung, M.D.

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