Inspired to Loving Action
The Transformative Power of Near-Death and Related Experiences
Near-death experiences (NDEs) and related experiences often inspire and nurture compassion, creativity, and curiosity, leading to closer relationships, deeper spiritual practices, and generosity toward others.
Once again, researchers have published an article about bursts of brain activity in the dying human brain, and people interested in the question of the origin of NDEs have contacted Journal of Near-Death Studies editor, Jan Holden, EdD, asking whether the results described in the article provide a materialist explanation of the source of NDEs.
A challenge for intelligent lay readers is that most of us do not have the expertise to understand technical references to medical procedures and assessment results, such as "EEG gamma bursts," described in such articles. So, Jan reached out to two IANDS members who do have such expertise: cardiologist Pim van Lommel, MD, and emeritus professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences Bruce Greyson, MD.
In the brief (4.5 double-spaced pages) Invited Commentary linked below, these experts explain—in terms most readers should be able to understand—why the findings of this most recent study and others like it "do not and cannot explain" either confirmed aspects of NDEs or the source of NDEs. Their Invited Commentary will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal but, as a service to IANDS members and to the general public, is provided here as a pre-print publication.
With sadness, but also with gratitude for her many years of devoted service and contributions, IANDS announces the passing of Diane Corcoran on Sunday, March 5, 2023. At the time of her transition, Diane was an active member of the Board of Directors, a multiple-time IANDS past-president, creator and leader of the Veterans Sharing Group, and near-death experiencer (NDEr).
FULL DETAILS OF THE SPRING SYMPOSIUM HERE: https://symposium.iands.org/
THE ROLE OF NEAR-DEATH AND RELATED EXPERIENCES IN GRIEF AND GRIEF COUNSELING
The 2023 IANDS Spring Symposium will address the topic of the role of near-death experiences and related experiences in grief and grief counseling. The event will be online on Saturday, April 22, from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern time.
IANDS co-founder and first president, Kenneth Ring has published his new book, A Near-Death Researcher's Notebook; What I Have Learned About Dying, Death, and the Afterlife. Nancy Clark, IANDS group leader of the Ohio, Columbus group shares her recommendation here:
I've read just about everything Ken Ring has written. He is one of the most renowned near-death experience researchers of our time. But lately, he has woven together in his current book not only what he has learned from his NDE research, but he gives you an appreciation for the fragility and complexity of life itself.
Ring beautifully interweaves scientific fact with captivating storytelling in a way that provides the reader with a perspective that allows one to cherish life for as long as we have it.
Spiritual Awakenings: Scientists and Academics Describe Their Experiences
Edited by Marjorie Woollacott, PhD, and David Lorimer
The essays in this volume are a wonderful and varied collection of personal insights into individual spiritual awakenings and the resulting transformation in the lives of scientists and academics.
Scholars share the experience of their own spiritual awakening and journey, including encountering challenges to their credibility in academia, if they shared these experiences. Their comments about transformation in values, beliefs, and approaches toward life are very moving, expressing a deep inner wisdom and connection, not only with humanity but also with the earth and cosmos.
If you have had a near-death experience (NDE), NDE-like experience or related experience, please consider participating in the on-going research studies below. All of these studies have been reviewed and approved by the IANDS Academic & Research Committee.
Founded in 1981, IANDS is a membership-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes research, education, and support around near-death experiences and related experiences. Our mission is to advance a global understanding of these experiences. We envision a future in which all people embrace near-death and related experiences as sources of meaning and inspiration for a better world.
If you are not currently an IANDS member, we kindly invite you to join our organization.
Why Join IANDS?
You are here for a reason. We hope you will stay in touch!
On this website you will find near-death experience accounts (and NDE-like accounts) submitted by experiencers. These first-hand testimonies offer compelling insights and perspectives about consciousness and what happens after we die. You can also see more NDE accounts on our YouTube Channel (IANDSVideos) and in the IANDS publication, The Self Does Not Die.
We add a video to IANDS’s YouTube channel every week. Subcribe to IANDSVideos and ring the bell to be notified when we post a new videos.
