The Complete Idiot's Guide to Near-Death Experiences PDF
Preview The Complete Idiot's Guide to Near-Death Experiences
TY{ÿi~ajfg i«| alplia * r It Itv cbiJjjS — *ÿ #** # ®®uiot' TO Near-Death Experiences * Quick 4nd * jotocirwition .HI rri*o4nf in tÿc"before" ird totk BH * F.iulrutlnf accounts of 'lea*- dcidi frvn (hoar enÿen«f*ttfi wliv'vy hac tKn uvr tettrer* * Dwmÿiirth Advice on deiJrg ? «tth your owr or a to*ed one* r-cir<*Hi PH.H,Atwater with D*vtd H. Morgan CL®*.’! n a Near-Death Experiences By P.M.H. Atwater, Lh.D., with David H. Morgan Macmillan USA, Inc. 201 West 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 A Pearson Education Company GENTLE READER THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S REFERENCE CARD Page iv CONTENTS AT A GLANCE Part 1: The Experience/The Experiencer 1 1 The Resurrected 3 Here's a brief opening look at the near-death experienceits history, what it is, and what it isn't. 2 Types of Experiences 19 We look further into the near-death experience: the four basic types and some startling revelations. 3 Near-Death Look-a-Likes Some subjective experiences can mimic or duplicate the 39 near-death experience. What are they and how can you tell the two apart? 4 The Innocents 53 Children's near-death stories are both delightful and informative. 5 Suicide Enigmas Suicide survivors report having near-death experiences, 71 too. Some who have near-death episodes attempt suicide afterward to get back to where they were. Part 2: Afterward 83 6 Lives Turned Upside Down The life changes that occur are more far-reaching and 85 challenging than just acquiring a renewed appreciation for life. 7 The Undeniable Aftereffects The experience might be questioned, but the aftereffects 99 can't. Might they tell us that a near-death experience occurs in order to fulfill what a person needs? 8 Startling Differences Between Child and Adult Experiencers 111 The near-death experience isn't just a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. There are differences. Adults become more childlike; kids more mature. 9 Blocking Out the Experience 125 Adults tend to remember their experiences, but often deny them; children tend to forget theirs. Why? 10 Medically Speaking: A Challenge to Healthcare Providers Experiencers' health concerns include not only physical 139 changes but a desire for greater understanding of the phenomenon by the medical community. Page v Part 3: Time Out for Questions 153 11 Are the Dead Really Dead? Some experiencers meet all the current criteria for death, 155 yet then return to lifeeven days later! Determining the moment of death is easier said than done. 12 Heavy on Research 169 Here's an overview of the Top 10 researchers in the field and their findings. 13 Scientific Naysayers 187 Not everybody agrees that the experience is what it's claimed to be. What do those who disagree say? 14 Debunking the Debunkers 199 The critical views are examined here. While some have been compelling, none have been crushing. 15 Religion's Got a Gripe, Too 213 It's a spiritual/religious experience, but many religions reject it, saying it's the work of the Devil. Why? Part 4: Taking a Leap Beyond 223 16 Viewing Storylines in Different Ways Sometimes personal beliefs affect what's experienced; 225 sometimes language constraints and the desire to fit in affect how an experience is spoken of. 17 Some Striking Effects Here are stories of near-death experiences that produced 239 miraculous healings, astonishing sightings, and incredible abilities to cope with hardships. 18 The Importance of Otherworldly Journeys 253 What does it mean to say that near-death experiences are otherworldly? How do near-death otherworldly journeys differ from hallucinatory "trips" or from the stories of the fantasy-prone? 19 The Possibility of Alternate Realities Near-death experiences indicate that there may be 265 moremuch more!to what we think of as "real"; some contemporary physicists agree. 20 Transformations of Consciousness What sorts of experiences bring about transformations of281 consciousness? How can you tell whether they're genuine? Page vi 21 The Lights of Enlightenment Many near-death experiencers encounter a light; others 297 meet a loving, healing darkness. What's the role of light and darkness? Part 5: Back Down to Earth 313 22 Brain/Biology Link Transformative stateslike the near-death 315 experienceappear to cause structural, chemical, and functionary changes in the brain, suggesting an evolutionary aspect to these episodes. 23 But Are All the Claims True? 331 Is everything said or done in the name of the near-death experience credible? Here we take a frank look. 24 Integrating the Near-Death Experience Having the experience can be a piece of cake compared 343 to living with it. Here are helpful suggestions on how to adjust for experiencers of all ages as well as their friends and loved ones. 25 Redefining How Life Is Viewed Though called the "near-death experience," we're 361 discovering that the phenomenon shows us more about life and how we live it than it does about death. 26 Message for the Millennium Near-death experiences have taught us much, but what 377 they're teaching us about our futureespecially about the role of love in our livesis greater still. Appendixes A
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