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Writer's pictureJustin Higgins

What do near-death experiences mean, and why do they fascinate us?

Updated: Jun 14, 2023



Near-death experiences (NDEs) have fascinated humanity for centuries. They are defined as a subjective experience that occurs when a person is on the brink of death or has been declared clinically dead but is later revived. The experience usually involves a sense of leaving one's physical body, moving through a tunnel or void, encountering a bright light, and meeting deceased loved ones or divine entities. While some people report negative experiences, such as a sense of being pulled down or encountering terrifying beings, most NDEs are described as being profoundly positive, with many people reporting feelings of peace, joy, and connectedness to a higher power or universal consciousness.


NDEs have been reported across cultures and throughout history, and they have been studied by scientists and researchers for decades. While there is still much that is not understood about NDEs, researchers have identified several common themes and characteristics that are shared by many people who have had these experiences. For example, NDEs often involve a sense of expanded consciousness and a feeling of being outside of time and space. Many people report seeing a panoramic review of their life, in which they re-experience significant events and interactions from their past. Others report encountering spiritual beings or entities that convey messages of love, guidance, and insight.


While some skeptics argue that NDEs can be explained as a purely physical phenomenon, there is compelling evidence to suggest that these experiences are more than just the result of a dying brain. For example, many people report having NDEs while they are still conscious and alert, and in some cases, they are able to provide accurate details about their surroundings and the actions of medical personnel even though they were clinically dead at the time. Additionally, some people report having veridical perceptions during their NDEs, in which they are able to accurately describe events or objects that they could not have seen from their physical vantage point.


So what do NDEs mean, and why do they fascinate us? For many people, NDEs offer a glimpse into the afterlife or the spiritual realm, and they provide comfort and reassurance that death is not the end of our existence. Others view NDEs as evidence of the interconnectedness of all things, and they see these experiences as proof of the existence of a universal consciousness or divine intelligence. Still, others view NDEs as a powerful reminder of the importance of love, compassion, and kindness, and they believe that these experiences offer valuable insights into the nature of human consciousness and the meaning of life.


Whether one sees NDEs as evidence of an afterlife, proof of the interconnectedness of all things, or simply a reminder of the importance of love and compassion, there is no denying the profound impact that these experiences can have on those who have had them and on the broader cultural conversation about the nature of consciousness and the meaning of life.

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