A new project is under way in the study
of the aftereffects of the near-death experience (NDE). We are
asking both the lesbian-gay-bisexual and transgender NDEr and
the non-gay NDEr to respond to a series of issues relating to
the aftereffects of the NDE. But first, let me define the word
"aftereffect". An aftereffect refers to any effect your NDE
had on you since your NDE. Some well publicized aftereffects
are displayed below and a few examples from
.
An NDE can change the attitude a person has about their life
or death. Also, some NDErs describe feelings of importance.
In some people, there are changes in self-confidence. Other
people describe a greater sense of life's purpose or a change
in their view of life's purpose. Loss of the fear of death has
been described as well as having enhanced ideas of the importance
in helping others. A belief in heaven, or some afterlife, and
a new sense of mission are other examples of aftereffects of
having an NDE. This is only a partial list of NDE aftereffects
as described in the volumes of NDE stories available in the
NDE literature.
This list gives NDErs a series of examples which may or may
not be similar to your experience. Not surprisingly, these same
issues come up for the LGBT and non-gay NDEr alike.
With an interest in collecting stories, the NDE community would
like to look at more examples of the specific meaning the NDE
had for you. Since there has never been a study comparing gay
and non-gay aftereffects, you are making history! It will be
exciting for you to take on this challenge. We will look at
gay and non-gay NDE aftereffects with the belief it is possible
there may be some differences in the two groups. And yet, there
may be very similar stories. When you send in your NDE with
its aftereffects, please state if you are in the gay or non-gay
group. Please do not use your full name; first names or fictitious
names are best. The new NDE aftereffect study is unfunded and
no monies will be exchanged. Once enough stories are sent to
us via email or mail, and if you agree to be published with
the other NDErs, we will submit the stories to the
International Association for
Near-Death Studies (IANDS). Our goal is to get published
in the
Journal of Near-Death Studies which is the widely publicized
scholarly journal of IANDS.
Below is a brief listing of some of the aftereffects published
in .
Your NDE aftereffects may be similar or quite different from
any of these stories.
Examples from :
Chapter 1: "My NDE made me feel like
I had a purpose here on Earth, a destiny that I had not yet
fulfilled."
Chapter 2: "I knew that there was more
work that I had to do. That my life was pre-planned. I
would come to the west coast and devote my life to helping people
with AIDS and life-threatening diseases. It would be a great
learning experience and I could be a great teacher. That is
the way it has turned out."
Chapter 3: "Since then, I have been attending
AA meetings. I feel that my life is going to be more postive,
living alone and taking better care of myself. I am very cautious
of all people, evil and good. And I pray to God every day to
become stronger and more acceptable."
Chapter 4: "Now I realize dying can be
peaceful and non-terrifying."
If you feel you would like to share stories of your aftereffect
of an NDE, contact the author or one of the experiencers of
.
To send in your story or ask any questions, contact Dr.
Liz Dale at:
EMAIL:
Lizsanpablo@aol.com
ADDRESS: Liz Dale, Ph.D., P.O. Box 153, Pinole,
CA 94564
PRESS:
https://www.prlog.org/12580615-crossing-over-and-coming-home-lgbt-near-death-experiences.html
|
|