In recent years, NDE researchers have dared to suggest the phenomenon is evidence that consciousness survives death, validating the words of St. Paul that we have two bodies—physical and spiritual—the spirit body separating from the physical body at the time of death. This anthology examines a number of profound NDEs during the past two centuries.

“Acceptance of the findings of near-death researchers would mark the beginning of the end of a culture whose driving forces have been greed and ambition, and which measures success in terms of material possessions, wealth, reputation, and social status. the present culture, therefore, has an enormous, vested interest in undermining near-death research, which it does through ignoring, debunking, and otherwise marginalizing the research.

“More subtly, our culture has created an atmosphere of ‘taboo,’ for want of a better name, around any serious discussions of spirituality. This is why we tend to feel uneasy and awkward in discussing these things with colleagues. To avoid these feelings of discomfort and anxiety generated by the taboo, academics try to protect themselves by employing the same strategies that everyone uses to avoid anxiety.

“The first strategy is denial.  By paying no attention to the research, by ignoring it and dismissing it a priori, the academic is spared the uncomfortable feelings that would arise from violating the taboo.  The second strategy is to debunk, to explain away, and to otherwise marginalize the research, and sometimes even the researchers themselves.”
~ Neal Grossman Ph.D.

Contents:

Preface: New and Old Light on the Near-Death Experience

Part I – Examining the Existential, Evidential & Skeptical Aspects

1. Taking your toys with you after death
2. NDE researcher sees life as a paradox
3 Overwhelming evidence for the survival of consciousness
4. Experiencing a pre-death life review
5 .  Dealing with “Doubting Thomas Syndrome” 

Part II – Historical NDEs
 
6. Admiral tells of drowning and what happened after
7. The most profound NDE ever? 
8. The physician who watched himself die
9. Sort of a cloud but not a cloud
10. The most dynamic NDE you’ll ever read about
11. An intriguing 1911 NDE

Part III – The NDE in Recent Times

12. A science professor sees the light
13. The man who fell off Everest
14. An NDE on the battlefield
15. Retired naval architect tells of his NDE
16. A physician discusses her NDE research
17. From surgeon to Superman

Part IV – Science Examines the NDE

18. Has the NDE been debunked? 
19. Researchers offer more light on the NDE
20. Finding Truth in the Light
21. Dr. Peter Fenwick discusses dying, death, and survival
22. Dr. Bruce Greyson updates NDE research

Epilogue: 10 lessons not offered in Sunday School or Science 101

References

About the Author

A 1958 graduate of the School of Journalism at San Jose State University, Michael Tymn has contributed more than 2,000 articles to some 50 newspapers, magazines, journals, encyclopedias, and books over the past 70 years.  While nearly all of his early writing was in the sports arena, Mike also wrote travel, human interest, and metaphysical features.  He won the 1999 Robert H. Ashby Memorial Aware given by The Academy of Religion and Psychical Research for his essay on “Death, Dying, and After Death.”  Writing assignments have taken him to such diverse places as Bangkok, Panama, Glastonbury, Jerusalem, Hollywood, St. Paul, and Tombstone.

He has interviewed and written about more than 40 Olympians in his sports writing and more than 30 scientists, researchers, educators, and philosophers in his metaphysical writings.  He is the author of seven books, one on long-distance running and six dealing with life after death.