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QUESTION 1: Please select the
NDE group to which you belong. |
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QUESTION 2: Were there any changes
in your values /attitudes / beliefs since your NDE other than religious/spiritual
or afterlife beliefs? |
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Such changes have been documented by
Dr. Bruce Greyson and
Dr. Kenneth Ring who jointly developed a "Life
Changes Inventory - Revised" of "Psychological and Behavioral
Aftereffects" of NDErs that includes changes in:
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1.
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The appreciation for life.
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2.
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Self-acceptance.
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3.
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Concern for others.
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4.
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Concern for worldly achievement.
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5.
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Concern for social / planetary values.
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6.
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Quest for meaning / sense of purpose in life.
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QUESTION 3: Were there any changes
in your personality since your NDE? |
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According to
this article on Wikipedia, "personality" is defined as:
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...one's characteristic way
of feeling, behaving and thinking which is often conceptualized
as a person's standing on each
"Big Five" personality trait (1)
extraversion; (2)
neuroticism; (3)
openness to experience; (4)
agreeableness; and (5)
conscientiousness.
Potential sources of
personality change include the impact of social
roles on a person (e.g., employment), life stages (e.g.,
adolescence), and changes during old age.
Stressful life events such as negative life experiences,
long-term difficulties, and deteriorated life quality,
all predict small but persistent increases in neuroticism.
On the other hand, positive life events, and improved
life quality, predict small but persistent decreases
in neuroticism. There appears to be no point during
the lifespan that neuroticism is unchanging over time.
There are also
multiple ways for an individual's personality to change.
The Big Five personality traits are often used to
measure change in personality.
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According to Harvard professor
Phillip L. Berman, there are ten major "personality changes"
in people who've undergone an NDE:
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1.
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An amazing ability to live in the present.
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2.
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An abiding sense of deep confidence.
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3.
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An immense decreased interest in material possessions.
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4.
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Spirituality becomes central and important.
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5.
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A much higher natural compassion.
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6.
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A strong sense of life's purpose.
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7.
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The sense that all life and love has inherent value.
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8.
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An amazing ability to enjoy a high degree of solitude
and silence.
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9.
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A desire to live a more social, communitarian, participatory
form of life.
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10.
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A strong sense of wonder and perennial sense of gratitude.
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QUESTION 4: Were there any changes
in your outlook about life and death since your NDE? |
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There are changes in NDErs outlook about
life and death according to the
IANDS.org website:
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"The average near-death experiencer
comes to regard him or herself as 'an immortal soul
currently resident within a material form so lessons
can be learned while sojourning in the earthplane.'
They now know they are not their body... Eventually,
the present life, the present body, becomes important
and special again."
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There are a number of important changes
NDErs undergo according to a
JNDS guest editorial by Craig Lundahl, Ph.D.:
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1.
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Losing their fear of death.
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2.
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Not taking life for granted because life is more precious
and a wonderful gift.
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3.
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Every human being has a life purpose or mission.
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4.
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Having no doubt an afterlife exists.
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5.
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Believing suicide is not a good option.
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6.
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Learning that social position and wealth are not important.
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7.
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Understanding that gaining knowledge and love are the
most important things.
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QUESTION 5: Were there any changes
in your religious or spiritual beliefs since your NDE? |
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Dr. David San Filippo has pointed out how
Dr. Kenneth Ring, in his book
Heading Toward Omega: In Search of the Meaning of the Near-Death
Experience (1985), documented how many NDEs act as a catalyst
toward a spiritual awakening for the NDEr:
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"What is noteworthy ... is the
particular form this spiritual development takes in
many NDErs - i.e., the real significance of the NDE
here may not be simply that it promotes spiritual growth
as much as the kind of spiritual growth it promotes"
(p. 144). This awakening appears to move the experiencer
toward what Ring (1985) calls a "universalistically
spiritual orientation" (p. 145). He defines universalistically
spiritual orientation as consisting of:
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1.
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A tendency to characterize oneself as spiritual rather
than religious, per se.
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2.
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A feeling of being inwardly close to God.
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3.
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A de-emphasis of the formal aspects of religious life
and worship.
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4.
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A conviction that there is life after death, regardless
of religious belief.
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5.
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An openness to the doctrine of reincarnation (and a
general sympathy towards eastern religions).
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6.
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A belief in the essential underlying unity of all religions.
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7.
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A desire for a universal religion embracing all humanity
(p. 146).
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QUESTION 6: Were there any changes
in your relationships / spouse / partner / friends since your NDE? |
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NDErs may have changes in relationships
according to the
IANDS.org website:
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1.
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They come to love and accept others without the usual
attachments and conditions society expects.
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2.
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They perceive themselves as equally and fully loving
of each and all, openly generous, excited about the
potential and wonder of each person they see.
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3.
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Their desire is to be a conduit of universal love.
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4.
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Confused family members tend to regard this sudden switch
in behavior as oddly threatening, as if their loved
one had become aloof, unresponsive, even uncaring and
unloving.
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5.
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Some mistake this "unconditional" way of expressing
joy and affection (heart-centered rather than person-centered)
as flirtatious disloyalty.
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6.
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Divorce can result from this mistake.
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QUESTION 7: Were there any distressing
aftereffects from your NDE? |
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Studies have revealed
three types of distressing NDEs (dNDEs): (1)
"Inverse" dNDEs, where aspects in the dNDE which are found in
positive NDEs reported as pleasurable are perceived in the dNDE
as threatening; (2)
"The Void" dNDEs, existential experiences of vast emptiness,
darkness, often a devastating scenario of aloneness, isolation,
sometimes negation of being, ego-death; (3)
"Hellish" dNDEs, where the NDEr perceives overtly horrifying
or hellish imagery often as an observer but sometimes experiences
torment.
Responses and aftereffects of dNDEs include:
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1.
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An enduring awareness that the physical world is not
the full extent of reality.
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2.
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Personal life and social relationships are abruptly
and permanently overturned.
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3.
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Adjusting to a dNDE is similar to
culture shock and reactions to a dNDE are often
similar to
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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4.
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Aftereffects are similar to
shamanic pattern of suffering / death / resurrection
as an invitation to self-examination, disarrangement
of core beliefs, and rebuilding.
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Not for a long time, if ever, do dNDEs cause the NDEr
to lose their fear of death.
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6.
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The late
Dr. Barbara Rommer's dNDE study concluded that,
in the long run, as with pleasurable NDEs, virtually
all dNDEs ultimately become extremely beneficial to
the NDEr. They almost always eventually come to see
their dNDE as
a blessing in disguise.
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7.
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Nancy Evans Bush (2002), a dNDEr herself, who did
a study of dNDEs with
Dr. Bruce Greyson, has a somewhat different view.
Bush observed that the aftereffects of a dNDE is not
so easy to define. She noted not one, but
three categories of common response to dNDEs:
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a.
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"The Turnaround"
dNDE (e.g.
"I needed that"): This response occurs
when a dNDE is interpreted by the NDEr as a
warning which may lead the NDEr into changing
behaviors such as movement toward a dogmatic
religious community where strict rules promise
protection. This is the response identified
by the late Dr. Barbara Rommer where the NDEr
eventually comes to see their dNDE as blessings
in disguise.
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b.
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"Reductionistic"
dNDE (e.g.
"It was only a hallucination"): This
response occurs when a dNDE allows the NDEr
to repudiate the meaning of their NDE which
does not fit into a safe category. Bush speculated
that people in this category might find psychological
peace, but only temporarily. (p. 106)
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c.
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"The Long Haul"
dNDE (e.g.
"What did I do?"): This response occurs
when a dNDE causes the NDEr to be "haunted"
or struggle for many years with the existential
implications of their dNDE. A religious element
of their NDE is often expected, but is absent.
This category of dNDEr is
most likely to seek counseling or therapy.
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Although Bush found more categories
of response than Rommer did,
her conclusion, like Rommer's, is optimistic:
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"A psychospiritual descent into
hell has been the experience of saints and sages throughout
history, and it is an inevitable episode in the pervasive,
mythic theme of the hero's journey. Those who insist
on finding the gift, the blessing of their experiences
have the potential ultimately to realize a greater maturity
and wholeness" (p.129).
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QUESTION 8: Were there any changes
in your dreams or dream content since your NDE? |
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According to
Lupita
Kirklin, Ph.D.:
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"The aftereffects of the NDE
include spiritual changes and transformative mystical,
alchemical states; for this particular event unchains
a number of aftereffects, which in some cases are guided,
not only by the NDE itself, but also by dreams
containing alchemical imagery throughout the
process of spiritual and personal transformation, as
the NDErs adjust and integrate the NDE into their lives.
Alchemical dreams contain images of an archetypal nature,
representative of symbols of the process of
individuation and process or production
of a new centre of personality."
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| Here is a link to some
Google images of alchemy dream symbols. |
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QUESTION 9: Did you have any
problems being around electromagnetic fields since your NDE? |
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According to the
IANDS.org website, "Electrical sensitivity refers to a condition
whereby the forcefield or energy around an individual affects
nearby electrical equipment and technological devices. Usually
sporadic in effect and impact, some experiencers have noticed:
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1.
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Watches may stop.
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2.
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Microphones may "squeal."
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3.
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Tape recorders may quit.
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4.
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Television channels may change with no one at the controls.
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5.
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Light bulbs may pop
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6.
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Telephone lines may "drop off."
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7.
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Computers may suddenly lose memory.
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8.
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NDErs who are more at ease with their new traits report
fewer of these incidents than those still in the process
of making adjustments.
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QUESTION 10: Were there any
changes in sensitivity to light since your NDE? |
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Light and sound are waves having a particular
frequency. According to the
IANDS.org website:
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1.
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Sensitivity to light and sound can be a serious issue
and may necessitate some lifestyle changes.
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2.
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While most NDErs learn to limit sunshine exposure, others
can't get enough.
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3.
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Almost everyone, though, has similar difficulties with
loud or discordant sounds.
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4.
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Many NDErs can no longer tolerate "hard" rock music.
The vast majority prefer classical, melodic, and/or
natural sounds, and become passionate about using music
to heal.
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QUESTION 11: Were there any
psychological challenges since your NDE? |
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According to the
IANDS.org website, some of the major characteristics of
psychological changes, which may or may not be challenges, include:
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1.
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The ability to easily engage in abstract thinking
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2.
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Becoming more philosophical
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3.
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"Inner child" or unresolved issues from childhood tend
to surface
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4.
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An increase in intuitive / psychic abilities plus the
ability to know or "re-live" the future
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5.
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The rejection of previous limitations in life and "normal"
role-playing
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6.
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The continuing ability to dissociate or "separate" from
the body
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7.
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The ability to be easily absorbed or "merge into" whatever
is being focused on
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8.
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Forming expansive concepts of love while at the same
time being challenged to initiate and maintain satisfying
relationships
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9.
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Becoming more detached and objective
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10.
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Going through various bouts with depression
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QUESTION 12: Was there any difficulty
reintegrating after your NDE? |
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According to the
IANDS.org website:
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1.
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One of the reasons life seems so different afterward
is because the experiencer now has a basis of comparison
unknown before.
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2.
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Familiar codes of conduct can lose relevance or disappear
altogether as new interests take priority.
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3.
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Such a shift in reference points can lead to a childlike
naivete.
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4.
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With the fading of previous norms and standards, basic
caution and discernment can also fade.
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5.
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It is not unusual to hear of NDErs being cheated, lied
to, or involved in unpleasant mishaps and accidents.
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6.
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Once they are able to begin integrating what happened
to them, discernment usually returns.
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QUESTION 13: Were there any
changes in your jobs / school / interests or hobbies? |
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According to
Dr. Bruce Greyson and
Dr. Kenneth Ring's study into "Life
Changes Inventory - Revised" changes in the NDErs may include:
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1.
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Changes in concern for material things of life
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2.
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Changes in interest in creating a good impression
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3.
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Changes in competitive tendencies
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4.
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Changes in ambition to achieve a high standard of living
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5.
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Changes in the desire to become a well-known person
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6.
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Changes in the interest in what others think of you
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7.
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Changes in the interest in achieving material success
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8.
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Changes in concern for social values
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9.
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Changes in concern with the welfare of the planet
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10.
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Changes in concern about the threat of nuclear weapons
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Changes in concern with ecological matters
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12.
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Changes in interest in political affairs
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13.
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Changes in concern with questions of social justice
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| These changes may or may not reflect
changes in your employment, educational interests or hobbies. |
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QUESTION 14: Did your I.Q. change
after your NDE? |
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1.
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Elevated
I.Q.
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2.
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Newfound
musical and artistic talents.
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3.
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Mathematical
gifts.
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4.
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Enhanced
hearing.
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5.
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Improved
eyesight.
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6.
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Spontaneous
healing.
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7.
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Electrical
sensitivity.
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QUESTION 15: Did you have any
paranormal experiences (e.g. apparitions) since your NDE? |
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For a complete list of paranormal experiences,
see this Wikipedia article. According to the
IANDS.org website:
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1.
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NDErs become quite intuitive after an NDE.
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2.
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Psychic displays can be commonplace such as:
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a.
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Out-of-body experiences.
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b.
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Manifestation of "beings" met in near-death
state.
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c.
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"Remembering" the future.
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d.
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Finishing another person's sentence.
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e.
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"Hearing" plants and animals "speak."
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4.
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These psychic displays are not only worrisome to family
and friends, they can be frightening to them.
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5.
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The NDEr's religious beliefs do not alter or prevent
this amplification of psychic faculties and stimuli.
Yet, experiencers willing to learn how to control and
refine these abilities, consider them beneficial.
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QUESTION 16: Were there any
changes in your feelings of compassion / caring / loving since your
NDE? |
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According to
Dr. Bruce Greyson and
Dr. Kenneth Ring's study into "Life
Changes Inventory - Revised" changes in the NDErs concern
for others includes:
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1.
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An increased desire to help others
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2.
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More compassion for others
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3.
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An increase in the ability to listen patiently
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4.
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More tolerance for others
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5.
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Increased sensitivity to the suffering of others
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6.
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An ability to express love for others openly
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7.
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A greater insight into the problems of others
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8.
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Better understanding of others
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9.
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An increase in empathy with others
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10.
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A greater acceptance of others
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| Copyright 2018 Liz
Dale, Ph.D.
www.lizdale.com |