Near Death Experiences
There is a great deal of skepticism about near-death experiences. While there are many written accounts available in medical and scientific journals, which describe near-death experiences, the phenomenon still raises questions. Some think that they are merely dreams, while others believe that they are actual windows showing them of what is to come in the after life. In this essay, I will try to provide positive evidence to suggest that they are indeed real, through facts, polls, scientific studies and personal stories from near-death experiences.
To begin, I would like to define a near-death experience. It is a time when the body shuts down. The lungs stop breathing, the heart stops beating, and blood ceases to reach the brain and other parts of the body. It’s when your body is physically dead. This can occur from numerous things. It can occur during surgery, cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, coma, fever, anesthesia, seizures, unconsciousness, severe allergic reactions, suicide attempts or other physical trauma caused to the body (Morrissey, Journey into Consciousness). During this time of death, many people claim be passing through a tunnel toward a bright light and meeting people who have died earlier in time (Mosby, The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia 100). Upon awakening from the near-death experience, the subject may return with unusual abilities previously unknown to them. Some people find themselves seeing auras and other related paranormal abilities, awareness of science and other technologies regarding time and space, and transformations in spirit and personality (Morrissey, Journey into Consciousness).
Polls and scientific studies offer some support concerning the reality of near-death experi...
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...ated fifteen million who have encountered near-death experiences, have seen the light and felt the presence of the afterlife.
In conclusion, while research on the subject of near-death experiences is ongoing, I have tried to present a persuasive argument to show that they in fact do exist. The subject of life after death is one that should be viewed in the context of faith or religion, but the proof I have provided is primarily scientific in nature. Whether one believes in the concept of life after death or not, near-death experiences do occur, perhaps more often than any of us realize. There is simply too much research available to ignore this phenomenon, and there are too many personal accounts written to conclude it is mere coincidence. I truly believe that there are such things as near-death experiences, and I hope that I have shed some light on this subject.
The video Round Trip, The Near Death Experience is an interesting and informative documentary. Five people were interviewed about their near death experience. Catherine was sick for several years; John almost drown from scuba diving, Mary had complications during childbirth, Alena was in an accident and Allan’s heart flutter during surgery. These five people near dead experience were similar. It is remarkable to hear them speak about their experience and how they are not afraid of death. The near death experience changed their lives. Catherine stated that she sees the future, she will know about something before it happens; also her religious structure became stronger. They all saw a bright light and experience a divine feeling and the power
In the United States and worldwide people have different culture, beliefs and attitude about death. Over the past years, death is an emotional and controversy topic that is not easy to talk about. Everyone have a different definition of what is death and when do you know that a person is really dead. In the book Death, Society, and Human Experiences by Robert J. Kastenbaum demonstrates that you are alive, even when doctors pronounce you dead.
felt at the alter or the hope of seeing a lost family member in the here after
If death is really real, based upon the animistic quality of our five physical senses, then how do we know that we are truly alive and breathing, not in a dream? It has been proposed that people aware the existence of surroundings majorly rely on their five senses, which may cause illusions. The ethereal, yet grounded, theory of existentialism provides the landscape for a more positively identified pathway which reaches across the separation exists among humans.
It had been reported that, “Numerous people have told of hearing their doctors or other spectators in effect pronounce them dead” (Moody Jr, MD, 2015, p. 17). This is an out of body experience. Each reported feelings of peace and quiet, which transitioned into a bad buzzing noise. After proceeding through a tunnel, they have an “encounter with a very bright light” (Moody Jr, MD, 2015, p. 51). Questions resound around a reflection of their life, what they had learned during it, and if it was worth it. Invariably, each of the subjects’ encounter a border at which they are told they need to go back. “Considering the skepticism and lack of understanding that greet the attempt of a person to discuss his near-death experience, it is not surprising that almost everyone in this situation comes to feel that he is unique, that no one else has ever undergone what he has” (Moody Jr, MD, 2015, p. 83). Naturally, the outcome of this experience has an effect on the lives of those experiencing it.
into the category of “private revelations.” Near death experiences are biblical, In Isaiah 6, Isaiah
Near Death Experiences is a controversial phenomenon that has been debated among researchers, physicians, and the general public. The debate is whether or not what people think they experience is real or if it can to be explained by science. There are twelve characteristics of these experiences that are frequently experienced across the board including out of body experiences which lead to the questions: Does the conscious require the brain, or is it a separate entity that can exist and function on its own? Is there really life after death? Skeptics will answer in the negative and offer many possible explanations, but I can find no good explanation that can account for many of the experiences people have during an NDE.
In the light of this belief, it would be interesting to explore the process of reincarnation scientifically. Through the last century, as Buddhism gained more popularity in the West, various people have attempted to study reincarnation systematically. These studies range from in-depth case studies to hypnotic regression experiments and experiences of people who have been through near-death experiences. By conducting these studies researchers wish to see if there exists a scientific basis to Buddhist beliefs.
Having a near death experience is life changing and can change your perspective on life by 180 degrees. A near death experience (NDE) defined by the International Association of Near Death studies Inc, or IANDS Inc is a profound psychological event that may occur to a person close to death.(). One day you could be preoccupied with all the work and stress building up that you do not realize that you need to slow down and take a breath until that breath is gone. There are some people who experience “death” and are fortunate enough to be brought back to life. NDEs transforms people into a whole new person psychologically and physiologically and although it seems it is for the better it usually backfires and affect them in harmful and negative ways.
Wagner, Stephen. “Descriptions of the Afterlife from Those Who Returned.” ThoughtCo. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
John L McIntosh. (2003) . Handbook of Death and Dying. Volume 1: The Presence of Death. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Reference.
“You will be with me today in paradise,” Jesus Christ told this to the thief on the cross while they were dying. However, can people believe that there is truly life after death? In many different religions there are different perceptions of life after death. For example in the Buddhist religion, the Buddhist people believe that life is practice for death. Professor Brown, of California State University of Northridge stated, “The Buddhist people cultivate positive, happy virtuous states of mind and abandoning non-virtuous, harmful, suffering states of mind.” This teaching is mirrored by Christianity teachings as well. Professor Brown also stated, “Death is an opportunity for great spiritual achievement if one is prepared and remembers one’s spiritual practices and beliefs and understandings during the death process.”
There are many phenomena present in today’s world concerning both life and death. An extraordinary incorporation of these prominent values is a Near Death Experience (NDE). Near Death Experiences empower and affect the psyche of many, changing their lives forever and altering their perception of death. Many questions arise from this particular topic simply because you have to experience it to fully understand its meaning. Questions such as, What is it, What happens, and how do they occur are familiar to experts in this field or to the people who have first hand experience.
Mystical or Spiritual experiences occur everyday in so many ways for so many different people. Some people tend to encounter these experiences through religious rituals or even just on thoughts of life itself. Whatever the thoughts or feelings may be, everybody has such an experience sometime during their life. Could the feelings that some may have be reactions in the brain or acts of God to help us realize our faith, and discover new mysteries that may lie ahead of us? Hearing many stories of different individuals can give us new insight into the beliefs of others and of ours as well.
I was very excited to take Death and Dying as a college level course. Firstly, because I have always had a huge interest in death, but it coincides with a fear surrounding it. I love the opportunity to write this paper because I can delve into my own experiences and beliefs around death and dying and perhaps really establish a clear personal perspective and how I can relate to others in a professional setting.