2001 North American Conference

I support the position that the NDE is an experiential vehicle not solely for the benefit of the experiencer, but for the dissemination of such universal truths and "perennial wisdom" as may be revealed; that there is quite possibly a "celestial speedup" occurring now which circumvents the long evolutionary process generally required for growth; that it is time to focus on understanding the content of NDEs with the same zeal as has been displayed toward attempting to understand the mechanics. I present revelations from my own NDE, citing relevant commentary from such sources as Gary Zukav, John White, and A Course in Miracles for further amplification. We can bring peace to planet Earth only if we act on the message that hundreds and hundreds of NDEers bring back: it's all about love.

This presentation concentrates on analyzing two visionary sensations experienced during near-death experiences (NDEs) and on finding the most suitable explanation to account for these effects: 1) sensations of seeing through ordinarily opaque and presumably solid physical obstructions and 2) sensations of passing through such obstructions. A hyperspatial explanation is favored over two other explanatory models. The first of these other models is the simple out-of-body (OBE) explanation supposing that some aspect of human nature actually separates from the physical body; the second is the brain-generated hallucinatory model supposing that NDEs are entirely brain dependent. The OBE explanation is dismissed because 15 years of parapsychological research have failed to confirm the existence of an OBE component to human nature. The brain-generated hallucinatory model is dismissed because this approach cannot account for the reported paranormal accompaniments to NDEs. In the hyperspatial model, sensations of seeing and passing through physical obstructions presumably become possible when human awareness begins to function within a fractally-dimensioned body possessing more than three but less than four dimensions. Those who occupy this posited body presumably are able to perceive our world from without and to move in fractally dimensioned increments through a spatially more comprehensive reality level existing outside of and at right angles to our three-dimensional world.

Recent theories of modern physics predict that the universe has more dimensions than are apparent to us. Many near-death experiencers report the perception that there are more dimensions than we are commonly aware of. These two statements might be related. This presentation examines the possibility of additional dimensions (hyperdimensions), what they would seem like, and whether they seem to be described in out-of-body and NDE accounts.

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My premise is that as radiant NDEs reflect a peak of spiritual experience, so terrifying NDEs are an excursion into the spiritual depths and can lead to profound insight. However, the difficulties in achieving that understanding are enormous. Unlike people emerging from radiant spiritual experiences knowing, "I am loved!," these experiencers know equally strongly that they are threatened, damned, cast out; they carry within themselves not joy but betrayal and terror. During this presentation I share some perspectives about alternative interpretations, based on almost 40 years of personal experience, such NDE-related research as there is, and wide reading in the spiritual literature as well as in Jungian shadow, post-traumatic stress, and psychedelic experience.

When a pupil is ready a teacher appears. Numerous teachers have been sent to enlighten me throughout my life. The presentation is not about me: it's about the free gift of the Holy Spirit which is the power of love and self control. The opposing type of power is control of others which I chose to deal with in my family. My multiple experiences gave me insight into people whose hair I styled in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and California. In addition I taught hair coloring, advanced styling, and how to heal the body to produce more hair. For forty years my customers told me of their near death experiences and child abuse.

This study was designed to develop a conceptual framework of the near-death experience (NDE), reflecting its nature and meaning for the patient and the critical-care nurse.  The study used naturalistic inquiry to examine the question: What is the nature and meaning of an NDE and how has it influenced the individual's view of the self, the future, and feelings and beliefs about life and death?  A quantitative instrument, the Greyson NDE Scale, was used with patients, and semi-structured interview guides were used with both nurses and patients to explore the NDE from a comprehensive perspective.  This study highlighted the emotional aspects of the NDE and the findings showed that it was a transformative experience for both patients and nurses.  Because NDEs do occur, critical care nurses must be knowledgeable about them in order to realize the implications of the NDE in their patients and help them resolve the meaning of the experience for their lives.

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NDErs reveal a mystery. While having their NDEs, NDErs are everywhere, connected to the entire cosmos, yet they remain as individuals in one place. They transcend time while having their NDEs but are tied to time when they return to life. NDEs are not the only phenomenon that reveals the paradox of man and the cosmos being interconnected, transcending time while also being in place and in time. Eastern philosophy, Christian theology, meditation and quantum physics all support the dual nature of man and his environment. NDEs are one book in the library of life that helps us understand not only our true nature, but the dichotomous nature of the cosmos in which we live. Historically, truth has been seen as a paradox. I propose that NDEs are one of several phenomena that are accelerating spiritual consciousness in the world, rushing us toward Omega.

Social psychology research has given us comparative studies of those who have experienced either near-death or UFOs. This presentation investigates subjects who have experienced both. What do encounters with both ND and UFOs reveal about human nature and the nature of reality? From the case files of a transpersonal psychotherapist come preliminary conclusions. The psychology of such experiencers is reviewed as well as how their expanded vision of material, physical reality relates to the new scientific paradigm of subtle energy.

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Ever been labeled "confused," "hysterical," or even psychologically unstable, when sharing a near-death experience with a member of the medical community? One experiencer's account and what she did.

In this presentation, I describe the NDE as one of a variety of ecstatic experiences. I then describe other types of ecstatic experiences, discuss what these experiences have in common with NDEs and how they can help broaden and deepen the field of near-death studies. I describe lucid dreams as one of the most easily accessed of ecstatic experiences and also the only experience of ecstasy that has been scientifically proven to be a discrete state of consciousness. I also describe shamanism, and the shamanic journey, as a classic form of ecstasy and how through incorporating shamanism into our understanding of NDEs we can develop a clinical methodology based, not on biological or psychological principles, but on spiritual principles.

Pam Barrett served as an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing Edmonton Highlands from 1986 to 1993. Pam quit her job in elected public office the day after she had two brief death experiences. She describes where her soul went on those two occasions as The Hologram, where all souls - past, present and future - dwell in harmonious eternity. In this cosmic stew, every ingredient is discernable but without ego, and all are held in permanent suspension by the gravy: perfect enlightenment itself. Even a hologram which can be thought of as a three-dimensional image formed by light from a coherent source interfering with the object, is insufficient to describe life in death, according to Barrett, because the word fails to address the unlimited number of dimensions of the experience. Her sojourn since experiencing both death and an out-of-body episode has led her to question if even the mind exists as a permanent entity - she explores this in her presentation. "The only boundary between life and death exists purely in the mind," says Barrett.

Pam Kircher, M.D. facilitated a discussion among health care professionals about how they see the NDE being addressed in their professional settings.  In the past 20 years NDEs have become more widely accepted among the general public, but the medical profession's knowledge of NDEs continues to lag somewhat behind the general public's understanding of NDEs.  This discussion was an opportunity to have medical personnel exchange ideas about what has been helpful and what has hindered the acceptance of NDEs in their individual clinical settings.  NDErs in the group also shared ways that their health care professionals had influenced their adjustments to their NDEs and ideas about how physicians might be more helpful to NDErs.  Finally, clinicians that have been involved in NDEs for years discussed ways that they see the medical profession's attitudes towards NDEs changing.

The handout was prepared for Dr. Kircher as a means of sharing her ideas on these topics with the other health care professionals attending the discussion group.

There is no recording available of this presentation, but the materials for it are available on-line (opens in a new window).

We are all born with a "god spot", an area in our brain that allows us to communicate with a timeless spaceless universe.  This area facilitates the near-death experience, is the source of paranormal talents such as telepathy and remote viewing, allows us to perceive angels and ghosts, and is the source of our intuition.  Dr. Morse seeks to answer many important questions in the field of near-death studies from a single premise: that most paranormal perceptions take place through the god spot's link to a universal memory bank from which we can access and receive information - and with which we can interact to alter physical reality.

Melvin Morse web site (opens in a new window).

Materials for this session (opens in a new window)

Related materials are available on-line (opens in a new window).

This presentation is about the power of the near-death experience (NDE) to infuse NDErs with the inspiration and passion to make a difference in the world. It is presented especially for those who have had an NDE; however its message holds equally well for anyone who is interested in actualizing more fully their life purpose. Many people share the belief that we are born with a life purpose, or mission, through which we are called to bring forth our talents and passions to serve the world and make it a better place. Given their otherworldly experiences, many NDErs have tasted a universal love and understanding that goes beyond ordinary human experience. Sadly, yet understandably, many of them then find it extremely difficult to be in this seemingly gross physical world. Based on personal experience and years of sweat and tears, the author will share her own insights into the nature of the challenge of being on the earth plane.

Ms. McCaffrey has had three NDEs. Her experiences have lead her to create a Non-profit organization, Changing the Face of Death, that is dedicated to public awareness, consciousness raising and service towards the rights of the dying. Ms. McCaffrey has lectured locally on Near-Death Experiences and dying.

There is no recording available of this presentation.

A review of near death experiences submitted to the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF, www.nderf.org (opens in a new window; 120Kb) web site suggests an important new understanding about our earthly relationships.  These new understandings include a relationship concept we refer to as SoulMate, defined for the purpose of this investigation as: "A loving relationship manifesting spiritual growth".

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A recent survey conducted by Dr. Jeff Long on his Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF, www.nderf.org (opens in a new window; 120Kb) web site found that out of 100 NDErs, 53.5% answered "Yes" to the question, "Did you have any psychic, paranormal, or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?"  This presentation gives suggestions, anecdotes, etc. from a healer, who is both an NDEr and a professional in the health field.

Since 1989, the Carmans have been investigating cross-cultural reports (ancient and modern) of the soul's pre-life experience (PLE) in a superphysical world leading up to earthly existence.  The Carmans will discuss evidence from contemporary interviewees who report life long memories of the pre-uterine world (no hypnosis) as well as from information collected from philosophy, religion, and indigenous peoples.

The element of reluctance/surrender exemplifies one similarity between NDEs and PLEs.  Glen, one interviewee, encountered a NDE during surgery.  He recalls "Once I floated outside my body, all my earthly possessions meant less to me than a burnt cigarette."  Glen finally agreed to return to Earth: "I met my deceased son on the other side and he asked me to take care of the two children his death had left behind.  Besides that, I knew I would experience that Peace again someday."

Reluctance/surrender plays a similar role in the cosmic flight of the soul to Earth.  The Jewish Kabbalah, for instance, teaches that God commands a particular soul: "Descend to a certain place and enter that sperm."  The soul pleads: "Master of the Universe, why must I, who am holy and pure and a part of Thy glory, enter an impure sperm?  I am pleased with the Paradise I live in.  I do not wish to be enslaved and corrupted."  God convinces the soul, "You were created to experience human life.  You have received certain gifts in order to carry out a role in the Divine plan.

The Carmans present parallels between NDE consciousness and PLE consciousness, the NDE life review and the PLE life preview, as well as the ascent up the "tunnel of light" versus the descent.

There is a related web site (opens in a new window).