How We Can All Benefit from the Message of Near-Death Experiences (without having

to nearly die!)

Spirituality and Wellbeing

Lampeter 2016

Penny Sartori PhD RGN

What happens when we die?

Experiences Close to Death

• Deathbed visions / end of life experiences

• Empathic / shared death experiences

• Control over the time of death

• Terminal Lucidity

• After death communications (ADCs)

• Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)

Near-Death Experiences

• Most widely researched spiritually transformative experiences

• Occur unexpectedly

• Accelerated phase of the dying process

• Access a deep altered state of consciousness

• Transcendental

• Often gain information not detectable by the senses

Components of the NDE

• Hearing the news of being near death

• Life review

• Out of body experience

• Tunnel and light experience

• Feelings of peace and calm

• Beautiful gardens

Components of the NDE

• Meeting deceased relatives or friends

• Meeting a “Being” of light

• Telepathic communication

• Barrier or point of no return

• Coming back

• Transformation

Distressing NDEs

Approx 14% NDEs are frightening

Categorised by Bush & Greyson (1992) as:

• 1) Prototypical NDE interpreted as frightening

• 2) The void experience

• 3) Hellish

4th category (Rommer 2000)

After Effects of a NDE

• No fear of death

• More tolerant of others / altruistic

• More loving / compassionate

• No longer materialistic

• Status no longer of importance

• Become more spiritual

• Feelings of interconnectivity (life review)

After Effects of a NDE

• Electrical sensitivity

• Become more psychic

• Healing ability

• Huge psychological boost

• High divorce rate

• Acquisition of impossible knowledge

Rajaa Benamour

• Following anaesthetic

• “Infinitesimal memory”

• Many after effects, light sensitivity, changes in her electro-magnetic field

• Acquired new intellectual abilities

• In-depth understanding of quantum physics that she did not previously have

Can NDEs be Verified?

• Many cases are reported anecdotally

• Is there a way to check on their reports?

A Five Year Prospective Study of Near-Death Experiences in a Welsh Intensive Therapy

Unit

Sartori 2008

Are NDEs merely effects of a dying brain?

Aim of the study:

• What is the frequency of NDEs / OBEs?

• Are NDEs the same as hallucinations?

• Is the NDE due to:

drugs administered?

anoxia?

hypercarbia?

Can the OBE be Verified?

• Symbols / pictures on monitors

• Could only be viewed from out of body perspective

• Above head height

• Brightly coloured

• Concealed behind ridges

Frequency of NDEs

• 15 NDEs during the five year data collection

• 2 of these were distressing

• Patient 10 remarkable and unique case

• 2 end of life experiences

Case Report of Patient 10

60-year-old male, emergency surgery

During unconsciousness reported:

• OBE – accurately reported the actions of the doctor, nurse and physiotherapist

• Meeting deceased relatives and Jesus-like figure

• Healing of a congenital abnormality

Basic Findings of the Research

• Not due to the drugs

• Not due to abnormal blood levels

• NDEs are under-reported

• NDEs are not wishful thinking

• NDEs are different to hallucinations

Sartori 2008 conclusions:

• Current science cannot explain NDEs

• Research is showing that NDEs can no longer be explained away

• To ignore NDEs is detrimental to future patient care

• Science must be revised and expanded

• Future prospective research on a large scale is paramount to further the understanding of NDEs, consciousness, death and LIFE

Benefits of Undertaking the Research

• Provide greater psychological support to NDErs

• Useful in care of terminally ill

• They can guide us with spiritual counselling at the end of life

• Helpful in bereavement and grief

• Inspire individuals to re-evaluate and have a different perspective on life

What is the Message of the NDE?

• What can NDEs teach us about life??

• How can we benefit from the message of the NDE?

• Can learning about death, teach us how to live?

Aspects to Develop with Further Research

• Acquisition of ‘impossible knowledge’?

• Spontaneous healing of ailments

• Healing of grief

• How NDEs can provide us with a ‘psychological boost’

• Renewal of values and attitude to life

• Cultivating altruism

• Cultivating emotional resilience

Tibor Putnoki

• Cardiac arrest, 9 minutes without heartbeat

• Life was transformed by his NDE

• Set up The Light of Love Foundation in Hungary which is based on the wellbeing of others

• Teaches life skills and empowering techniques

Tibor Putnoki

During his NDE, he was asked:

• Did you have a life before your death?

• Did you live a life worthy of a human being?

• Could you look into other people’s eyes with a pure heart and your head held high?

Jeff Olsen

• Despite the tragic consequences of a car accident he now lives a deeply fulfilling life

• Newfound understanding gained during the NDE helped him to cope with the loss of his wife, son and deal with the life altering physical injuries

Why do the majority of people take such little notice of these life transforming experiences?

Current World View

• Consciousness is created by the brain

• We are all separate

• It’s all about survival of the fittest

The Message of the NDE

• We are all interconnected - the life review, empathic death experiences

• Consistent with Einstein’s ‘spooky action at a distance’ now known as ‘quantum entanglement’

• THE GOLDEN RULE - Treat others as you’d wish to be treated yourself

• Love and compassion extended to others

• Live in the moment

Implications

• Professor Kenneth Ring’s work

• Increased altruism in NDErs

• Increased positive emotions, IgA, oxytocin

• Greater planetary awareness – eco friendly behaviour, global sustainability

• Advancement in our evolution – Darwin believed we evolved due to ability to cooperate and empathise

Christine Stewart

• 11 years old

• Knocked over by a car

• Had an NDE that has given her strength throughout her life

Quote from Christine Stewart

“My belief is that if everyone had a NDE there would never be another war, no-one would starve or be the victim of violence and greed would become a thing of the past.”

Thank you for your attention

info@drpennysartori.com www.drpennysartori.com

http://drpennysartori.wordpress.com