Near Death Experiences : Is there a Logical Explanation?
In the August edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a
compelling article, "After Life," by Anita Bartholomew. The
article takes an intricate look into the controversial world of
"after life" or "near death experiences." I found myself being
hurled into the riveting article like a child in a candy store.
In Ms. Bartholomew's revealing summary, van Lommel (a British
researcher) made an interesting statement, "You can compare the
brain to a TV set. The TV program is not in your TV set." Thus,
where lies the consciousness?
Modern scientists cannot explain NDEs, or in my opinion-- do not
want to accept it. What is a Near Death Experience? An NDE is an
experience which may include feeling of being outside of one's
physical body. The person may move through a form of darkness or
tunnel. He or she may meet deceased loved ones and even other
entities. However, most recall an indescribalbe light that
seemingly beckons them. Some NDEs are beautiful and peaceful,
while others can be terrifying or unpleasant. In any event, most
cases of NDEs result in a life-altering transformation.
While some believe that NDEs dramatically prove life after
death, others seem to think a near death experience is a
hallucination which the brain manifests in itself when pushed to
extreme limits. What has been discovered is that different
cultures, do in fact, experience similar episodes of NDEs. The
only differential in other regions of the globe is that where
one may see light here, others may see tall buildings or even
stars. This, of course, transcends multi-diverse belief systems
and how things or events are viewed in relation to NDEs.
Ultimately, what one person sees, hears or experiences during an
NDE is entirely up the individual's own belief system. Many
persons may never have a near death experience because their own
belief systems do not allow these thought patterns to channel
their own mind; therefore, what you or I value or have learned
to be recognitive of does not always apply in NDEs.
Do NDEs prove that life after death does in fact -- exist?
Again, we encounter the problematic belief system. Religious
groups remain divided as some believe NDEs support life after
death. Other religious groups reject the notion of an NDE
because it falls in line with "the devil's work." Scientists, of
course are the universal skeptics. While most do not accept near
death experience, some actually do. But how they perceive NDE
may be quite different than what one would expect. Some
scientists agree that an NDE may be an "outer body experience,"
but only caused by natural chemicals produced by the brain that
merely concoct hallucinogenic properties.
However -- I will conclude this article with an interesting fact
that presents evidence of a much broader proportion. An NDE is
when the body ceases to function. In other words, there is
absolutely NO life exhibited in the human anatomy. It is when
the person is "clinically dead" that an NDE is mostly
experienced. NDE'ers are comprised of all walks of life. All
races. All ages. All nationalities. All religions. Atheists. The
intelligent and not-so-intelligent. The wealthy and the
impoverished. World leaders and even hardened criminals. Science
has not and cannot explain the overwhelming reports and
documented cases of NDEs. Due to the deluge of NDEs, it is
becoming harder and harder to ignore that life after death may
INDEED exist.
Whether we ever experience an NDE or when our time comes to pass
into the "afterlife," I presume it will be then only that we
finally discover the answer to this quandary. Until then, the
paradox of near death experience and its life-altering effects
on persons who have experienced it, will go unanswered.