I once had a friend who was addicted to near-death experiences (in fact, oddly, today is her birthday). Having had one of her own as a child, in which she left her body and explored the universe, she longed to re-experience the ecstatic freedom, the expansion of awareness, and the Light, of course, always the Light, the all-comforting Light, “seductive beyond thought of competition,” the legendary tunnel of Light, radiating a palpable sense of Source, Home, Destiny, and Purpose all in one.
And so, despite deep spiritual training, voracious metaphysical reading, and a fairly sophisticated worldview, she would spend endless hours scouring YouTube for the latest case histories, testimonials, and documentaries on the near-death phenomenon: the accounts of those who, through a car crash, a stroke, a heart attack, or having been buried alive, frozen to death, or drowned in an icy pond, had been clinically “dead” - no heartbeat, pulse, or brainwaves - and had miraculously returned to life to speak of the Tunnel, of the Light, of greeting departed loved ones and conversing with high spiritual beings, of being freed forever of the fear of death…and often with a passionate mission to help others see that all we really need to know in this life is that all Life is One, that we are immortal by nature, and that we are deeply loved by Love itself.
I’ve been familiar with the phenomenon for many years, but without personal experience. I confess to getting a bit peeved with some of the NDE survivors/missionaries who ardently tell us “you don’t need to meditate - all you need to know is that we are immortal…and all is One!”
Easy for them to say. So would they please (I’m tempted to ask) arrange a nice, not-too-painful car crash, stroke, or sudden slip into an icy crevasse on a mountain slope, or inadvertent fall through thin ice into the frigid, heart-stopping depths of a lake so that I too may experience the true nature of Reality and Consciousness? Because, as much as I would like to take their word for it, and as ardently as I desire to believe it, just viewing their inspiring video doesn’t change a thing, since no path is given, no technique is shown, no theoretical underpinnings are provided to give the more intellectual folk a reasonable basis on which to proceed. It’s just “I’ve been there and I’m back! I’ve seen the Light! All is well!”
As it happens, I am one of the “intellectual folk” and also one of the mystics. I’ve had more than enough experience in meditation to convince myself of the reality and immortality of the soul. And I’ve also read most of the literature on the NDE phenomenon.
The Light at the end of the tunnel (I am persuaded by personal experience and through the deep teachings I have studied) corresponds to the Spiritual Eye in the forehead. The tunnel is the spine, through which we descended into human form during gestation, and through which we reascend at death. But on ascending that tunnel toward that Light…we do not all end up at the same place.
Not all those who return from death in an NDA experience light and bliss. According to karma and quality of their own vibration and frequency, some NDEs report disturbing visions of demon-haunted realms, of lower astral purgatory environments in which they realize the true state of their souls, and return with a desire to transform their lives, to live more compassionately, treat others more kindly, to act unselfishly.
This is, all the great spiritual traditions tell us, the moral foundation which is (apparently) scientifically necessary, as a pre-condition of frequency, for us to actually break through to higher realms upon the death of the body.
And, as it happens, there actually are methods, techniques, and teachings which can hasten our progress toward that Light, toward that ascension - without having to take an accidental overdose (or drown, or suffocate, or endure an agonizing heart attack, etc.) and then be informed by various Beings of Light that “your time has not yet come - you must go back!” Whereupon you are zapped by celestial light, abruptly hurled out of heaven, and find yourself gasping in pain in the emergency room.
There are other ways.
It’s all about magnetism in the end, about ancient sacred techniques which, if devotedly practiced, create an actual magnet at the crown chakra which irresistibly draws our energy, consciousness, and life force upwards, day by day, year by year, until you can calm your breath, look upwards, and behold that all-comforting Light whenever you desire…and even break through to temporarily visit those realms of peace and high joy where exalted loved ones dwell.
But don’t take my word for it - just as I don’t take the YouTube clips’ word for it. I’ve gone far enough on that path to be able to tell you that it is real. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a short cut, yes - but only in comparison to a million years or so of slow evolution through painful karma. So if you truly desire to understand - on a cellular level, deep in your very being - the nature of Reality and your soul, of life and death and immortality, you may want to explore it.
Or you can just seek occasional inspiration and comfort amid the chaos by watching NDE videos. But you’ll tire of it after a few incarnations, I suspect. Why not start now?
blessings,
Michael
Fascinating article.. brings up lots of memories and “lessons” for me. As my metaphysical teacher said to me … “There’s only One of us here.” My life is an enfoldment of remembering and being That unique signature of the ONE. It’s a journey for sure!
"some NDEs report disturbing visions of demon-haunted realms" I suppose it's the peaceful and wrathful deities that buddhism speaks of, or whatever version their beliefsystem can support. In any case, i don't think you need to have an NDE Michael, sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on the game here and also, we wouldn't want to loose you prematurely from this world. Thank you for the lovely blog, have a wonderful weekend! Cheers