Ring, K. (1984). The nature of personal identity in the near-death experience: Paul Brunton and the ancient tradition. Anabiosis - The Journal for Near-Death Studies, 4(1) 3-20.
Abstract: In this paper the nature of personal identity is examined from two perspectives: observations reported by selected near-death experiencers (NDErs) and the viewpoint represented by the late English writer Paul Brunton (1898-1981). NDEs suggest a continuation and enhancement of the sense of personal identity may give way in deeper experiences to an expanded and ecstatic state of union with the Light, in which one’s individuality is nevertheless paradoxically preserved. Such experiences of the self are, according to Brunton, manifestations of the Overself, a central concept in Brunton’s thought, which is next described and held to illumine many aspects of NDEs. The paper continues with an exploration of the implications of Brunton’s understanding of NDEs for the issue of whether, and in what form, we may survive biological death and concludes by considering the relationship between the discoveries of contemporary near-death research and some of the teachings of the ancient mystery schools. It is argued that the writings of Paul Brunton constitute a rich source of materials for enlarging our grasp of the significance of the NDE.
Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies
Link: http://www.iands.org
Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Afterlife, Belief in
Afterlife, NDErs’ Descriptions of
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Increased Knowledge, Thoughts
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEs—Parapsychological Phenomena, ESP
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Voluntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Kinesthetic
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Disclosure of NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Philosophical
Literature, Fictional
Spirituality and NDEs