A near death experience (NDE) is a phenomenon that some people report having when they are close to death or in a life-threatening situation. It is a subjective experience that differs for each person and can include a range of feelings and sensations.
Some people who have had NDEs report feeling a sense of peace and tranquility and may feel like they are floating outside their bodies. They may also see bright lights or spiritual beings and have a sense of traveling through a tunnel.
Other people may have a more fearful or distressing NDE and may feel as though they are being judged or punished.
The term “near death experience” was coined by Dr. Raymond Moody in 1975. Moody was a philosopher and psychologist who wrote the book “Life After Life,” in which he described the phenomenon of people having experiences that seemed to defy explanation when they were close to death or in a life-threatening situation.
Moody’s book was based on interviews with 150 people with near-death experiences, and it became a best-seller and a popular introduction to the concept of NDEs. Moody’s work helped to bring the topic of near death experiences into the mainstream and sparked a renewed interest in the nature of consciousness and the human experience.
- A sense of peace and well-being
- An out-of-body experience
- A sense of moving through a tunnel or passageway
- A feeling of being in the presence of a divine being or beings
- An encounter with deceased loved ones
- A feeling of being judged or reviewed
- A sense of re-entry into the body
While not everyone with a near death experience will experience all of these elements, they are common themes many people have reported. Moody’s work helped to bring the concept of near death experiences into the mainstream and sparked a renewed interest in the nature of consciousness and the human experience.
In addition to his work on near death experiences, Moody is also known for his contributions to the fields of thanatology (the study of death and dying) and psychical research. He has written numerous books on these topics and has been a leading figure in the study of near death experiences and other anomalous phenomena.
There is still much that we don’t know about NDEs, and scientists are still trying to understand what causes them. Some researchers believe that brain activity changes during times of extreme stress or trauma may cause them. Others think that they may be related to spiritual or supernatural experiences.
It’s important to note that not everyone close to death will have a near death experience, and not everyone with an NDE will have the same experience. NDEs are a complex and mysterious phenomenon, and there is much that we still don’t understand about them.
One of the most well-known aspects of near death experiences is the sense of leaving the body and observing events from a distance. Some people who have had NDEs feel like they are floating above their own bodies, looking down at themselves and the scene around them. This out-of-body experience can accompany a sense of peace and detachment from the physical body.
In addition to the out-of-body experience, many people who have had NDEs report having spiritual experiences. These can include encounters with deceased loved ones, feelings of divine presence or enlightenment, and encounters with a being of light or other divine entity.
It’s worth noting that not all near death experiences are positive or peaceful. Some people report having distressing or fearful NDEs, in which they feel a sense of terror or impending doom. These experiences may be accompanied by feelings of being punished or judged or by encounters with malevolent entities.
There are many theories about what causes near death experiences, but the truth is that we still don’t fully understand the phenomenon. Some scientists believe that NDEs may be caused by changes in brain chemistry or function during extreme stress or trauma. Others believe that they may be related to spiritual or supernatural experiences.
Some people who have had near death experiences describe a sense of accelerated personal growth and transformation due to their experience. They may report feeling a greater sense of purpose or meaning in life and may have a renewed appreciation for the people and things around them.
Some evidence suggests that near-death experiences can have lasting effects on a person’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Many people who have had NDEs report a decreased fear of death and an increased sense of spiritual or religious belief. Some people may also experience a shift in their priorities, choosing to focus more on relationships, personal growth, and helping others.
It’s worth noting that not everyone who has a near death experience will have the same response, and some people may not be significantly affected by their experience.
While near death experiences are still not fully understood, they offer an intriguing glimpse into the nature of consciousness and the human experience. Some people find them to be deeply meaningful and transformative experiences, while others may view them as simply strange and inexplicable events. Regardless of how one interprets their own near death experience, it is undeniable that they can have a powerful and lasting impact on those who have them.
Overall, near death experiences are a complex and mysterious phenomenon that can profoundly impact those who have them. While we still have much to learn about NDEs, they offer a glimpse into human consciousness’s vast and unknown possibilities.
What Are Shared Death Experiences (SDE)
A shared death experience (SDE) is a phenomenon in which one person reports having a near death experience (NDE) while another person, who is not physically threatened, reports having a similar experience at the same time. This means that both people have an NDE together, even though only one is in a life-threatening situation.
Shared death experiences are relatively rare, and we still don’t understand much about them. Some people believe that SDEs may be caused by a spiritual connection between the two people involved, while others think that a shared brain activity or some other physiological mechanism may cause them.
There are many different accounts of shared death experiences, and each one is unique. Some people report having a shared out-of-body experience, in which both people feel as though they are leaving their physical bodies and observing events from a distance. Others report having shared spiritual experiences, such as encounters with deceased loved ones or divine beings.
Not everyone with a near-death experience will have a shared death experience, and not everyone with an SDE will have the same experience. Shared death experiences are a complex and mysterious phenomenon, and there is much that we still don’t understand about them.
One interesting aspect of shared death experiences is that they can provide additional evidence for the authenticity of near death experiences. Many people who have had NDEs report having experiences that seem to defy explanation, such as having accurate knowledge of events that took place while they were unconscious or clinically dead. If two people have a shared NDE, and one of them was in a life-threatening situation while the other was not, this can provide additional support for the idea that NDEs are more than just hallucinations or dreams.
It’s worth noting that not all shared death experiences are positive or peaceful. Some people who have had SDEs report having distressing or fearful experiences in which they feel a sense of terror or impending doom. These experiences may be accompanied by feelings of being punished or judged or by encounters with malevolent entities.
Overall, shared death experiences are a rare and fascinating phenomenon that offers a glimpse into the nature of consciousness and the human experience. While we still have much to learn about SDEs, they allow us to explore the limits of our understanding and consider the possibility that there may be more to the world than what we can see and touch.
Accounts of Shared Death Experiences
What makes Reynolds’ case particularly interesting is that her NDE was witnessed by her mother, who was sitting in the waiting room during the surgery. Reynolds’ mother reported having a similar experience at the same time, including the sensation of leaving her body and traveling through a tunnel.
Other accounts of shared death experiences involve people who are not physically present with the person having the NDE but who report having a similar experience at the same time. These experiences suggest that there may be some kind of spiritual or psychic connection between people that allows them to experience events together, even when they are physically separated.
While shared death experiences are still not fully understood, they offer an intriguing glimpse into the nature of consciousness and the human experience. They challenge our understanding of the limits of the physical body and suggest the possibility of a deeper connection between people that transcends time and space.
