The
Near-Death Experience
By C. Marie Bowen
The
near-death experience—an occurrence that takes place after an
individual’s heart stops beating, and before resuscitation—happens all the time. Not only are NDEs
a frequent phenomena, they have been experienced by humans for, well...practically forever. NDEs have been documented in all parts of the world, and
have been experienced by people of all religions.
There
is even a research foundation, NDERF, that allows
on-line readers to document their
own experience.
NDERF weblink. There
is no shortage of information and
opinions about this
phenomenon.
I
once spoke with a man who had been electrocuted and was without a
heartbeat for several minutes before resuscitation. He told me
he did not experience anything during the time his heart stopped
beating. That non-experience is also not unusual.
Since
my research for Passage began well before the advent of
the internet, I have a number of book references in my notes cited by Dewey Decimal numbers. I have to laugh, because now, I have more
information than ever regarding NDE’s. Despite easy access to a wealth of
information, the experiences and opinions haven’t changed much in
30+ years.
Dr.
Bill Lansing provides some
general information
regarding NDEs in an
NDERF article
link. NDE
General Information.
He states that (according
to P.M.H. Atwater, in Beyond
the light)
there are four different types of Near-Death Experiences. Atwater’s
research corresponds with my own.
1)
A non-experience or Initial
experience.
This type of experience is either cut short by resuscitation, or
precedes one of the other types. Atwater suggests that this type of
experience is common with individuals who require the least amount of
evidence, or proof of survival after death.
2)
Unpleasant or Hell-type experience.
This has been described as an encounter with a threatening void or a
hellish purgatory. Atwater suggests that individuals with repressed
guilt, fears or anger may experience this type of NDE – expecting
punishment after death.
3)
Pleasant or Heaven-type experience.
These include loving scenarios with family and/or religious
figures, and sometimes even “beings of light.” Atwater believes
these are experienced by those who require reassurance and
self-validation—individuals who need to know they were loved.
4)
Transcendent Experience. This type of
experience is often difficult to explain. Individuals are exposed to
otherworldly dimensions and visions beyond their own frame of
reference. Usually, there is no personal content relating to the
individual. Atwater suggests this experience is for those ready to
embrace the next challenge.
The
near-death experience
changes people, in both positive and negative ways, regardless of
which type of experience they have.
You
might expect the Hell-type experience to lead to guilt, anger and
depression, but that isn’t always the case.
This type of experience
is sometimes viewed as a “wake up call” to change the type of
life you lead. Likewise,
the after effects of a pleasant experience can lead to broken
relationships and difficulty relating to the world “as it is”,
just as often as it brings ecstatic joy and fills the individual with
the wonder of life.
People
who disbelieve in the NDE phenomenon have sited drug use, psychological
trauma, and physiological injury such as high endorphins or hypoxia
(oxygen deprivation) as the root cause of this experience.
Information
on this phenomenon hasn’t changed much in 30 years. What has
changed is the ability to connect with others who have had an NDE,
and for people to share their experience on-line.
In
Passage, Courtney Veau experiences an NDE after a car
accident. When her heart stops beating, she encounters an
other-worldly hallway with darkened doorways and a compelling light
at the end of the hall. As she moves toward the light and familiar
voices, one doorway brightens and begins to pulse with the
beat of a human heart. She is drawn through that doorway and
falls into her previous life. When she reawakens in a present-day
hospital, she is heartbroken. Courtney Veau would give anything to
return to her soul-mate, Merril Shilo, and the life she lived as
Nichole Harris, if she could only find the passage back to her
previous life
Excerpt
from Passage:
The
long shadows faded into twilight. She'd found what she came for—proof
this house existed. There was no longer a reason to stay; and yet,
just the possibility she might hear his voice again kept her waiting
one more day.
Outside
the window, night took final possession of the day. A few porch
lights came on down the block. Headlights swung around the corner as
a car turned onto the street and illuminated the pavement. The
headlights winked off and a car door slammed.
Behind
her, the room took on a familiar chill. She turned from the window
and pressed her back against the heavy drapes as the echo of boots
pounded up the back stairs. She gasped when he raced into the room,
vaguely luminescent in the darkness. He was dressed in denim trousers
and cotton shirt, with a silk scarf tied loosely around his neck.
Where's his hat?
Had he lost it in the dash
up the stairs? That wide-brimmed cowboy hat was such a part of him he
seemed naked without it. His hair had come loose from its binding,
and he shoved it out of his face with a familiar motion. She stood
close enough to read the emotion play across his face, a mixture of
fear and bewilderment. His breath was labored, and his anxiety
tangible as he stopped and looked right at her. Her mouth fell open
in surprise and her heart tightened in her chest. Does
he see me?
He
took a hesitant step toward her. “Nichole?” His voice filled with
horror, he whispered her name from another life.
“Yes!
Merril, it's me.” Courtney stepped toward the specter.
His
head turned. His attention called away from her open arms. “Oh,
sweet Jesus.” Merril fell to his knees and reached for something no
longer there. “Nicki, please don't go. Stay with me.”
“Merril,
I'm here.” Her heart ached for him and for herself, but her plea
went unheard.
Sobs
shook his wide shoulders.
Her
heart clenched to witness his despair. She longed to comfort him, to
assure him she was there, but could not. In defeat, she sank to her
knees beside the grieving apparition.
“Nicki,
don't leave me. Look at me—” His hushed voice, choked and broken.
“I'm
right here, my love,” she whispered, but the room grew warm, and
Merril Shilo faded back into the past. Courtney hung her head in the
darkness and fought back tears. One question was answered, at least
for now.
WIN A FREE BOOK!
Comment
on the blog and leave your email address. If you like,
tell me about an NDE you know of, or an “out of body” experience
you have had. If you have never had an NDE, (and I never have), tell
me what you believe you might find beyond the veil. Who would you
speak with?
The
winner will receive a free e-book of Passage, Soul of the Witch –
Book 1.
Connie (C. Marie) Bowen is an
award winning writer of paranormal adventures laced with suspense and
romance. She grew up in Denver, Colorado and has a love of western
history, science fiction, and fantasy. Her life travels have taken
her from Denver to Wichita, KS and eventually settling in North Texas
to raise her two boys. A LEED accredited professional, she worked as
an Architectural Project Manager for retail construction prior to
deciding an empty nest gave her the opportunity to follow her writing
muse.
She is a PRO member of Romance
Writers of America, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Sub-chapter
of RWA, North Texas RWA, and Savvy Authors.
Learn more about her books and
works in progress at her website: http://www.cmariebowen.com/
