Near death experiences change people’s lives – and not always for the better.
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Up Next ► Scientist defends near-death experiences
Most near-death experiencers say that they have trouble speaking about the experience because there just aren’t words to describe it. It’s like trying to draw an odor with a crayon.
Experiencers describe a sense of connectedness to other people, to nature, to the Universe, and to the divine. For them, this changes everything. For instance, it makes them much less interested in power and fame.
Experiencers almost always say, “This is the most important thing that’s ever happened to me, and nothing else in my life compares to it.” The most common change is that they are no longer afraid of death.
Read the video transcript ►
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About Dr. Bruce Greyson:
Dr. Bruce Greyson is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the UVA School of Medicine. He served on the medical school faculty at the Universities of Michigan, Connecticut, and Virginia. He was a co-founder and President of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, and Editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies. His award-winning research led him to become a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and to be invited by the Dalai Lama to participate in a dialogue between Western scientists and Buddhist monks in India.
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Read more of our stories on near death experiences:
Can near-death experiences prove the afterlife?
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Activity of dying brain shines light on near-death experiences
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Death: how long are we conscious for and does life really flash before our eyes?
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I know narcissism is a buzzword right now but it is a legitimate personality disorder. Very hard to overcome. Most narcissists r stuck in their bad behavior for a lifetime w/ no desire to change. That being said, have you or anyone you know been diagnosed with a personality disorder prior to having a NDE? Were u/they a changed person?? I would think meeting the most high would put u in line. Lol Did it shift ur/their perception of reality?
The same thing happened to me. I became a better version of myself. I was able to express and share
My love with others that I could not do before. I was aware that I knew things about someone I just met
That would have taken a lifetime to know. I was definitely different: even though I felt God's love and I missed God very much. I came back because of my kids. They needed me for their growth and I needed them. I didn't know it at the time that my mother is a narcissist a borderline personality disorder narcissist. " I never had a diagnosis for her. I knew she was a control freak and was always doing things
Like power plays to force me to do it her way. I was tired of it and I wanted my life without her interference
It was a horrible battle. Before my NDE I was browbeat to give her pictures of my don
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I was in the hospital when I first got diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver Almost drunk myself to death .. They strapped a machine to my head to help me breathe and i think I stopped breathing I blinked into a place that seemed like the further and a black phantom had its hands on me then suddenly I gasped for air and snapped back into my reality .. I decided to stop eating meat except for sardines because I can grasp what its like to pass into death
4:40 the comment is incorrect. I am able to induce a NDE with plant based medicine. It takes years of practice
Dios está hablando a la humanidad a través de cada persona que regresa de una ECM para corregir tantos mitos , fábulas , tradiciones , cultos todos ellos limitados , teníamos que llegar a este punto crucial en el que la ciencia ha despertado del sueño materialista , ahora el gran problema siento lo representan las religiones oficiales pues no van a dejar que sus agremiados escapen tan fácil de su control de miedo , para ellos un Dios de amor infinito , que no juzga ni condena representa su derrocamiento.
Big Think: FASCINATING, IMPORTANT, INTERESTING!
Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is what communicates Love and Life to us after Jesus ascension to Heaven. 3 is the number. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Hi I'm also that one living , life after death . It's different from the past life i have lived in, ,
I believe it is a afterlife after when we die
This is not what I thought I'd hear. My experience didn't really change my beliefs or values all that much. It just made me more aggressive and more starving for life. I didn't feel as afraid of death but I wanted to live more and it really got me out of a state of depression and lethargy.
The NDE that I had changed me drastically. It was in 2008 and it is true that it changes you totally. Very interesting video, I learned a few things.
I didn't had NDE but very sensitive person and relate to you all.
….A segment from 'Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within'…
My new understandings of what many call 'God -The Holy Spirit' – resulting from some of the extraordinary ongoing after-effects relating to my NDE…
Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence – the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future – right down to the minutest particles of dust – each being an individual ripple or wave.
The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter – I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist.
For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects – including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars – none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down – Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists – including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them – our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant – our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma – and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory – whenever we experience or express our emotions – or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law – Renge – Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho – these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlies all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination – Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge – or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter – as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication – perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us – all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux – constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ – the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation – rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge – and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu – which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’.
On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives – as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives – even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances – turn them into positive ones – or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are – regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect – the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication.
For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.
NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self – this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things – such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally – rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within – including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time – to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us.
I would not use a negative term as kill. I would use transform or enhance.
Mine was Jan 2 2015, completely changed me, & finding earthly words to describe what is really going on.🩵🩵🩵🩵
I'm surprised there aren't more in the way of NDE's triggered by things like sky-diving… maybe there is some kind of regulatory mechanism put in place over the 'other side' so that you don't end up interrupting otherwise-safe things that actually could cause your death if distracted…?
Not everyone has positive NDE. A lot of people experience nothing, this isn't reported because there is isn't anything to report.
I exactly know and felt what you said
Does this happen to specific people or all
If Jesus is not part of the nde then it was from satan.
I wouldn’t mind an NDE just to see past ones a few seconds what a blast
I used to LOVE water, I used to look forward to swimming lessons at my Elementary school. But now, I refuse to get in the water..
We were once learning to float and my lifeguard (which I distinctively remember) said he was right under me, he let go and I started panicking. They told me I was fine when I was flipping out.
Another time we were actually learning to swim, lifeguard took me at least 10 feet from my other classmates. He told me to swim back. I told him I didn't want to and started struggling. He told me, (and I still remember his voice) "I'm going to drop you" I said no. He dropped me. I forced myself, eyes open, to swim across to my classmates in a dive like position.
Then, the second to last part of the entire session. Life jackets. They told us to jump in the water and the lifeguard would catch us. I was last in the line. My turn came and they told me to jump. I refused. *They pushed me*. *They didn't catch me*. Most traumatic part was looking down at the Neverending bottom.
Then the last part, we were allowed to have free time. I was traumatized. I didn't want to do anything. I sat out.
I haven't swam since I was 5. I'm 14 now and I don't even remember how to anymore. And my family says I'm just overreacting…
I do remember once blacking out once. I can't remember but I remember a ringing in my ears and remember everything getting muffled.
IODINE.. After years of discolored nails, was cleared up in a few weeks. Applied after I showered and left on. Providine Iodine.
Do not take orally; poisonous. Also inexpensive. Far better than anything else I tried, including pharmaceuticals. Continue to use a few drops every couple week's, just in case. It stains your nails, easily removed with peroxide. But if you want it to work, you need to leave it on. I am not a medical doctor. This is not medical advice, but worked for me. Dr. Berg on U tube was where I learned about it. Might want to check it out?
I'm already dead, because there is nobody.
I have outter body experiences and I've had 5 near death experiences. 2 meant nothing but 3 did…both similar in the sense it's your spirit, your soul… You see things and do things you can't in physical form and yes it's changed me. Ik many things I shouldn't now, intuition, things that are wrong or when someone is being hurt by another and it's not obvious etc, I have precognitive dreams also where I see events that are going to happen and this is proven.
Yep. My drug overdose/nde changed my life
I recently had NDE (I'm not harmed). I don't know him saying people who had it, don't afraid of death. But I'm afraid of death more than ever!!!
When you’ve gone through this, there is no fear of death , it’s like a coming home party , as crazy as it sounds I’m almost excited, to be back with everybody I loved that loved me ,no fear, when you get through a certain extent in your spiritual journey there is no fear at all don’t matter what could happen why fear it you can’t control anybody why waste your time your energy and your cortisol on fear !!!
What do Atheists think of this??
My NDE changed my whole outlook in this world! I’m not religious anymore because I know it’s way more than that! I was sooooo pissed when I came back! I didn’t hurt, I was comfortable, I don’t fear death anymore, quite the opposite I look forward to it now. It’s awesome that this video is here!! Thank you!!
Okay after reading all the comments i would like 1 nde please
I recently had an NDE after an allergic reaction to an injection into my veins following surgery in hospital. I remember seeing my heart rate at 180 bpm and asking the nurse if I was going to die as she ignored me in panic. I weirdly haven't quite processed this, despite it being four weeks ago today. I feel like I ought to have a new lease on life and appreciate it, but I have just felt down and irritable.
The nde is the soul connecting to the brain just in case it happens and its time to leave
I had an NDE experience Friday. I feel different than I thought I would. I am angry and frustrated. I don’t know why I feel this way.
I was dead for 16 minutes and seen nothing.
The similarities of experience and transformational effects between most near death experiences and enlightenment/mystical experiences are striking. Although I have not had a near death experience, I am continually impressed with the realizations and long-term impacts that NDE's have in light the enlightenment experiences I have had. Ineffability, indelibility, absolute oneness, infinite love and freedom, being at 'true home', decreased fear of death, decreased importance of status, prestige, and material possessions – the list goes on… The good news is you don't have to die first for this most fundamental shift in Being to occur. Be Well All 🙂
The wisdom of ancient initiated traditions makes sens at last…a spiritual body for an after life…I am the uncreated light says Osiris,,, everry human is…
There’s research showing Ayahuasca looks promising to treating depression. My personal experience with Ayahuasca is close to a NDE. I felt the Oneness, so much love to everyone in there. It was within an indigenous ceremony. This is perfectly legal in Brazil due to religious freedom and respect to our ancestors
AWESOME
I can definitely say that my NDE change me completely, i was a firm atheists until i had my NDE, i had died because of cardiac arrest and i did the most spiritual experience of my life, after my NDE i converted to christianity
0:49 Exactly what we need: Another book on NDEs… make that money, doc.
Why did people leave their partner?
If NDEs prove that there seems to be a BETTER state of being beyond death, what is the point of living in this materialistic, dual world where there is so much evil and pain? Do NDEs justify suicide? I keep reading about NDEs everywhere, and all the beauty of the realms people see during the time they are dead and in this state of out of conscience bliss, and it doesn't sound like keeping alive in this so imperfect planet Earth makes any sense.
P.S.: just asking a "philosophical" question, not encouraging suicide or anything like that.
I had an NDE from a Psychedelic. I experienced exactly this same thing. I have never been the same.
I haven’t been the same since in good and bad ways.i wasn’t afraid prior of death. I remember after being scared I remember being tired like I could barely hold on anymore. I was dizzy or everything was sorta getting fuzzy. I remember praying repeatedly. Thinking of my children praying they’d be ok. Then i remember accepting what was happening and that I was going to die. Then it was fuzzy again and I was warm feeling n no longer scared just peace. I was strangled until unconscious. His hand had a brace on n he kept trying to grip better so it seemed to go on a long time. After I was unconscious I don’t recall anything really. He had his knees on my back at the same time. Once I was on the ground it went quick. Once I came back or to I was in more pain then my entire life everywhere at once
Question for those of you that have had NDE's… Have any of you been spiritually attacked (spiritual warfare) after starting to share your experiences? It took me six years before I openly started sharing my death experience after it happened. Then all the intense spiritual warfare attacks occurred and haven't stopped. I have never read an experience quite like mine, though I keep searching.
NDEs are a very interesting phenomenon, they truly make you wonder. Skeptics point to brain activity and chemicals, I like to get a balance. My take is that even if science finds a natural explanation, that doesn't mean nothing deeper or spiritual was revealed.
Near-death experiences kill the person that you used to be | Bruce Greyson
Only those who go through a NDE understand the phenomenon. I've been through 6 times that I can remember.😊