Anatomy of a Near-Death Experience
How near-death experiences fit into the big picture of afterlife evidence and insights.
Bob Olson is the host of Afterlife TV, author of Answers About The Afterlife and The Magic Mala, and founder of the trusted psychic and medium directory, BestPsychicDirectory.com.
When anyone has been immersed in a field for a decade or more, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be a newcomer. Experts in various fields are famous for using industry jargon the average person doesn’t understand. I’ve now been investigating the afterlife for twenty-seven years, so it’s essential that I do not assume that my readers know what may seem to me like common knowledge.
I’ve been discussing near-death experiences (NDEs) in my articles since the birth of Bob Olson Connect, but I’ve never written an article that covers a basic description and stages of the NDE. Below are what I think are the most important insights about this fascinating subject that anyone learning about the afterlife ought to know.
Overview of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)
Near-death experiences are spiritual experiences that occur when someone physically dies for a few seconds or minutes and then comes back to life. While dead, these people visit the spiritual realm to experience a journey that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Even if they are technically dead for only a few seconds, it often feels to the near-death experiencer like the event took place over minutes or even hours.
The NDE typically begins as an out-of-body experience (OBE) where the person sees their physical body before them. After first realizing that they are dead, the person often begins to feel fearful about being alone in this unfamiliar setting.
“Oh my goodness, the surgeon and nurses are around my body, but they can’t hear or see that I’m right here in the corner of the room by the ceiling!”
It is at this point when most near-death experiencers are met by a spiritual being (occasionally more than one) with whom they communicate telepathically. This will usually be a spirit guide, but it may also be a deceased loved one, such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, or sibling who died before them.
“Hello, Bob. It’s me, Caleb. I’m your spirit guide. You might not remember me now, but we knew one another before you were born.”
“Say what? Um, okay, Caleb. Nice to meet you—again. I’m so glad you’re here. I must say that the closer I get to you, the calmer and more peaceful I feel. And... oh my goodness, I can feel your love for me. I’ve never felt so deeply loved in all my life.”
Although there are many variables possible during the near-death experience, after having the out-of-body experience and meeting with one or more spiritual beings, the person goes on to have such profound experiences that they are forever changed for the remainder of their human lifetime once they return to their physical body and life.