NDE

1. NDE

2. What is a Near-Death Experience? • A near-death experience (NDE) is a distinct subjective experience that people sometimes report after a near-death episode. In a near-death episode, a person is either clinically dead, near death, or in a situation where death is likely or expected.

3. The term “near-death experience” (NDE) was coined in 1975 in the book Life After Life by Raymond Moody, MD. Since then, many researchers have studied the circumstances, contents, and aftereffects of NDEs.

4. A near-death experience is ineffable incapable of being expressed or described in words; inexpressible: ineffable joy. not to be spoken because of its sacredness; unutterable: the ineffable name of the deity.

5. How did Moody come up with the list of components to NDE? Gathered from many people’s stories. Only included on the list if it occurred to many people. People had no communication with each other

6. 4 Phases of a Pleasurable Near-Death Experience • Disassociated – feeling detached from the physical body … from discomfort to a feeling of peace and wellbeing • Naturalistic – Become aware of natural surroundings from outside their bodies (looks normal but unusually clear and vivid) Also: they can see through walls and “hear thoughts.”

7. 3) Supernatural – Meets beings & environments that aren't part of the “natural” world. (deceased loved ones, “mind communication,” environment “lit from within,” otherworldly beautiful music, tunnel toward light, “being of light,” life review, feeling completely known and loved, etc.) 4) Return – Return to physical body.. sometimes a choice; sometimes not.

8. The Four Types of Distressing NDE • Powerlessness – Same components as pleasurable, but the person resisted. It “happened” to them without their control. • Nothingness – Felt void, completely alone • Torment – scary landscapes, frightening creatures • Worthlessness – very few … felt negatively “judged” during life review.

9. NDE are “equal opportunity” experiences • Different cultures & backgrounds • All ages • All levels of education • All religions and those NOT religious • All social classes and income levels • Gay or straight • History of good or bad actions • With or without mental illness

10. Veridical Perception • Accurate description of specific, unique events happening around the person's unconscious physical body that the person saw or heard. (some who are blind from birth can “see”) • Often the person “hears” themselves pronounced dead!

11. Re-cap of Key Components Loud (buzzing or other) sound Feeling of great peace Out-of-body experience Ineffable Dark tunnel Seeing friends, relatives, etc. (“people of light”) Being of light Life Review Not wanting to return

12. 1. Loud buzzing or other sound.

13. 2. Feeling of great peace

14. 3. Out-of-body experience

15. 4. Ineffable

16. 5. Dark tunnel

17. 6. Seeing friends, relatives, etc. (“people of light”)

18. 7. Being of Light

19. 8. Life Review

20. 9. Not wanting to return

21. Most NDErs say their NDEs have changed them. Some changes happened right away, others more gradually over time. • Many people who have had NDEs need time to integrate the experience. Some people need months; others need years. • People who have had distressing NDEs may feel especially challenged to make sense of their distressing experiences. • Research shows that the great majority of people who have had NDEs, whether pleasurable or distressing, sooner or later come to see them as beneficial. • Often they think their NDEs were the most profound and helpful experiences of their lives.