A Near Death Experience, or NDE, is an experience some people have when they come close to death, such as being in a car accident, drowning, or having a heart attack. One of the interesting things about NDEs is how similar they are for people all over the world. The current thinking is that NDEs are "a hallucinatory state caused by various physiological and psychological factors." But there are plenty of learned people who would disagree, like Eben Alexander who wrote about his experience in the book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife.
If you want to read a really interesting article about NDEs, click on the pic. It will take you to a piece in the Atlantic I found fascinating, though too long to include here. I'd love to hear what you think if you get a chance to read it or, just tell me what your thoughts are on Near Death Experiences. Do you think it's just the braining lulling you into a false sense of security before it, well, dies? Or can the consciousness exist separate from the body?
Excerpt from Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett, in which DEATH is let go...
Albert [DEATH's servant]: Ah. What you mean is, you want to be alone.
DEATH: I AM ALWAYS ALONE. BUT JUST NOW I WANT TO BE ALONE BY MYSELF.
I don't know. I was interested to read in the article that some people have reported having a negative NDE though. I don't think I have ever come across that before.
ReplyDeleteThanks - It is an intriguing article even if I am still left without a definitive answer.
I'd heard of the experience behind Alexander's story. Considering his position, it's a powerful testimony.
ReplyDeleteI do believe it is a glimpse of what's beyond this world, whether it's Heaven or hell.
Thank you for the article. I do intend to read it at some point. I'm book marking the link.
ReplyDeleteAwakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen
Have a great day!
Or can the consciousness exist separate from the body?
ReplyDeleteI dunno? The guys on Ghost Adventures seem to believe it can.
I love watching documentaries about people near death experiences. Fascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteI tend to believe consciousness can exist without the body, but what if we have a fail-safe if the body dies, that tries to present whatever we are expecting such as bright lights, family members who have gone before, etc.? Some of the episode of Ghost Adventurers and other programs of that ilk seem to present some proof of energies in the ether.
ReplyDeleteI love the article, and I think that there are plenty of things we still can't explain with science.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nicola; that subject is fascinating. We'll never know what really happens and I think it makes it that much more intriguing.
ReplyDeletesadly, I had it, since I died as a kid from inflamed appendix and they had to revive me and all that :) My life line is still broken on my palm!
ReplyDeleteI don't see why it can't be both. What the brain experiences can be part of what it's like to be outside of the body. Why not?
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