Near Death Experiences of Children
1. Introduction
Dr. David Searls, a professor of genetics and science philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine said "Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean." i This image expresses the belief that there is more to the existence of the human spirit than our physical life on Earth.
Since the dawn of history, people have pondered the idea of what happens after death. The questions and beliefs surrounding ‘after death’ have profound implications for the values, faith and behaviour of most people.
This idea of ‘more to existence’ is manifest in recounts of near death experiences. I have chosen to examine Near Death Experiences (NDEs) as experienced by children for a simple reason : unlike adults, young children cannot consistently, over time, maintain the threads of a lie, and maintain affected behaviours. To my thinking, there is therefore an innate truth in NDE stories told by children over time. This truth adds credence to the recounts of adults. I intend to examine child NDEs to explore how similar and different childhood NDEs are, and how children deal with the experience.
2. What are Near Death Experiences ?
Near Death Experiences refer to a lucid awareness of one’s own consciousness, and often a greater universal consciousness, separate to the physical body, in a time when the body is technically dead or dying.
As this experience is a profound experience infused with mystical elements, NDEs are seen as “a powerful event of consciousness…not a mental illness” ii. According to psychiatrist Dr Raymond Moody, those who experience true NDEs are rational and calm (sane) as opposed to those who are hysterical and delusional (mentally ill).iii
NDEs are also not a modern phenomenon. NDEs have been recorded in the Bible, the Koran, the Tibetan Book of the Dead and in ancient writings of Plato. iv The difference from ancient times comes in the research being conducted, as well as the
Dr. David Searls, a professor of genetics and science philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine said "Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean." i This image expresses the belief that there is more to the existence of the human spirit than our physical life on Earth.
Since the dawn of history, people have pondered the idea of what happens after death. The questions and beliefs surrounding ‘after death’ have profound implications for the values, faith and behaviour of most people.
This idea of ‘more to existence’ is manifest in recounts of near death experiences. I have chosen to examine Near Death Experiences (NDEs) as experienced by children for a simple reason : unlike adults, young children cannot consistently, over time, maintain the threads of a lie, and maintain affected behaviours. To my thinking, there is therefore an innate truth in NDE stories told by children over time. This truth adds credence to the recounts of adults. I intend to examine child NDEs to explore how similar and different childhood NDEs are, and how children deal with the experience.
2. What are Near Death Experiences ?
Near Death Experiences refer to a lucid awareness of one’s own consciousness, and often a greater universal consciousness, separate to the physical body, in a time when the body is technically dead or dying.
As this experience is a profound experience infused with mystical elements, NDEs are seen as “a powerful event of consciousness…not a mental illness” ii. According to psychiatrist Dr Raymond Moody, those who experience true NDEs are rational and calm (sane) as opposed to those who are hysterical and delusional (mentally ill).iii
NDEs are also not a modern phenomenon. NDEs have been recorded in the Bible, the Koran, the Tibetan Book of the Dead and in ancient writings of Plato. iv The difference from ancient times comes in the research being conducted, as well as the