The one common factor mentioned by those who have gone through a near death experience is the presence of a bright light and moving towards it.

In some cultures this must be a expected phenomenum beforehand. In the Tibetan Book of the Dead which in Tibet is read aloud to a dead or dying person the person is instructed to follow this light on his after life journey.

[ March 24, 2006, 07:42 PM: Message edited by: Ghostdancer ]

Good topic for discussion Ghostdancer. =)

It is interesting that going into or moving towards a light has been commonly reported throughout history by those who have had an NDE, across all cultures. Being in darkness and feeling confused or scared prior to seeing or going into a light has been reported often as well. A small number of ppl have described their experience to be he**ish, no light or comfort felt. It's also interesting that along with those cultures that instruct the dying to follow the light, those who try and help spirits (ghosts) that are earthbound also instruct them to go into the light.

I've read published articles (research done by doctors/scientists) and books (various mediums/psychics etc) that discuss NDE. Many are similiar in description of what is experienced, though explanation of the dark first experienced and/or what's beyond in the light varies some. I recently read Secrets of a Medium, by Larry Dreller. I'm not a medium nor trying to be one, I just found his experiences, views of the invisible realms, and other info given to be interesting. His book is based on spirituality vs religion which is why I opted to use it as a reference here for comments.

In his explantion of the different levels (astral planes) he describes the first level to be (quoted from the book): "the earth plane, which is next to and merges with our existence. This is the plane where the spirit's journey commences...." "It is also the level from which those who have died will not, or cannot, leave. Their transition is held back by confusion, love of the material existence they left behind, guilt, and fear. For those who are weighed down by terrible deeds committed while alive, this plane can be constructed as their personal he**, their self-created reality."

Level II: "possibly the second step in the journey - the tunnel and the light. It is the recieving room where the life review and orientation process for level III attainment takes place, also where the soul/spirit is met by guide or angel.

Level III: "beyond the first two levels. This is Summerland, paradise, or heavan. This level is where the perfection and education of the soul/spirit commenced, the beginning of the transfiguration into the energy force and matter of the universe. Reincarnation is said to take place at this level if willed.

Level IV: " and beyond, merging with the universe is completed-a "Nirvana", a total heaven and unity with the universe; an eternity or infinite about of "time".

An alternate view of the astral planes, or levels of eternity (again quoted), 8 are given but will just note the first 2:

"Plane I: Physical reality - Earth"

"Plane II: The "payoff" plane for evil and the dissolute-place of hauntings and the tragedies of human character (Pandora's Box)- Purgatory-He**-Nothingness-Suspension

Perhaps the darkness some experience is the level that is next, or partly merged with the physical one (where ghosts, lower engergies reside), and when they see the light they are actually seeing the next level, or the entrance to it? Those that go into the light and experience seeing loved ones, angels, guides, or feeling in the presence of a higher being (God), or seeing remarkable beauty in scene and colors, have entered into the next level though have not fully crossed over yet?

He notes NDE's (fairly often) and that some see or enter the light at the end of the tunnel while others don't go past the darkness (confusion). Perhaps the view of the first cpl steps taken (step 1 being physical death) can help to describe it better. After physical death one enters into "a period of confusion and disorientation, which usually lasts as long as ten earthly days (or more); a spirit guide or angel will escort to the next level. He then tells the decision to transmigrate to heaven "depends on the amount of spiritual, negative, or positive baggage you are carrying (by the universe?), and how long the process will take-a sorting out period. Those who are so heavily involved with the material world (earth) or had a surplus of bad deeds stay in the never world of transition for earth generations, and possibly end up as lower forms - ghosts, malevolent spirits, or such. These entities are earth-bound on level I. This could be considered a "He** on earth". Additional reasons why a spirit does not move on were also noted in another section.

He also discusses history of spirit communication, skepticism, the views of science, why some experience the paranormal much more frequently than others, and others don't experience it at all. His is just one viewpoint (although it is similar to many others) and I have no idea if he is a true medium or not, just found the info/views given interesting, and some of the research cited to be valid.

It is curious though that "the light" is a common experience with NDE, and that many believe that a spirit/soul remains earth-bound unless they go into the light. Though I find all accounts told of NDE to be fascinating, it is those told by young children that really captivate me. =)

It makes sense where one of the most common scenarios of NDE has been noted; on battlefields during wartime where many wounded soldiers relate the experience. From what I understand there were a lot of these reported during the Vietnam War.

That is a good topic Ghostdancer.

I don't think I can say exactly what it is. I can only theorize.

I've seen this light myself. Not in near death (though I do believe I died as baby but it was different than typical experiences) but in visions. In my life-line vision(I've seen this almost all my life) this life starts out from this arch. At this arch, is this bright beautiful light. It's wonderful to look at and inviting (even though I know I can't go back that way). To me it seems that it is the same light. The light of the world before and after this light.
I've seen it in visions of spirits. In one vision I saw of a poster (from the previous incarnation of this board) who had a hard time with her father and then her father died and she had many painful unresolved feelings. I was given this vision of him, her, other people in her life and in it her father had moved onto the next world and shed the darkness that was just his guise. He exuded this brilliantly bright light that was great to see. One of the messages I got was that he was providing a service to her, through love, to be someone who caused her pain to help her grow. Overall, in the long term of the soul, it was a beautiful thing.

So I believe the light is of multiple and singular as that it is of the next world and of the spirit/soul and so of our Creator.
As beautiful as this world is in it's creation and creator, it is a really a heavy and dark world. I believe if we were to remember what it is like to be not in this world we would not be able to stand it. Every time I touch the next world or have the faintest memory of our Creator it drives me to tears and I can feel just how heavy this world is (my body feels like a meat puppet).

So I think that this light is just the illuminescence of the next world that is the norm for there and when we can view the next world it appears as it does to us. As if stepping from a dark room into the outdoors. There is beauty in both places.

I'm glad I posted. I followed my intuition this morning. It said to post here today. And boy do I feel better. I was feeling really depressed. Mostly because of all the news about the criminal activities of the Bush administration and Republican politicians and how they're getting away with it. It's been weighing heavily on me, especially this morning. It's not good to dwell on dark deeds on a Monday morning.