There was a thick row of tall sunflowers and standing behind looking over them were these beings of light.  They were shaped like a human body, but there were no features, just light and all around the edges, brighter light radiating out.  I KNEW who they were - God, Jesus and angels.  I knew they were expecting me, they knew I was coming and were waiting for me.  They didn't say anything to me, I just KNEW these things without any doubt, they were projecting thoughts and feelings to me, and I could feel what they were trying to express to me. 

I felt the most wonderful love pouring into me.  I saw myself fall to my knees and begin just sobbing from the relief and joy of it, it was so wonderful.  (That's the only time I saw myself.  I felt everything.  Other than that it was as if I was experiencing it myself.  I don't really understand that part.) It felt like it was filling up every cell in my body till they were about to burst.  I felt no judgment, just totally enveloped in this very warm, very caring, tender love. I knew that the most important thing here is to LOVE with all your heart, love everyone and everything.  I felt that what religion you are does not matter and that all the splitting hairs and rules, etc. are man's idea - God just wants us to be loving and as long as we are learning that and growing spiritually, the specific vehicle (religion) we use to get there isn't important.

I also knew that I was absolutely NOT to go beyond that border of sunflowers.  Then, I was back looking at the open space and watching it become smaller until it was gone. 

When I woke up, I was still overcome from the feelings and wonder of it.  I couldn't stop thinking about it, talking about it.  I had heard of near-death experiences before, but hadn't really delved into it.  Now, I could not get enough stories to read.  I was amazed to find all the similarities to my experience!  I had thought the border of sunflowers was very odd.  I doubted that part a little and tended to leave that out when I told my experience because I thought it sounded weird.  Then I read many stories were there was some type of border that you were not to go past.

This experience, whatever it was, changed my life.  I no longer fear death or loved ones dying.  Of course, I would miss them horribly, but I feel more at peace about it now.  I try to be a more loving person.  I try to be loving to everyone and have a special fondness for children.  I've noticed that many people just ignore children and do not take the time to get to know them or speak to them. 

I am not so focused on worldly things and am much more relaxed about life.  I do not believe in hell, not as many people believe it.  I think we may have to face our wrongdoings towards others for awhile - that may feel like

2/13/12 Addendum - I have since learned that I have moderate sleep apnea.  I stop breathing 15 times an hour.  I feel my experience was very NDE-like and was always confused as to why it was so different from the OBE's I've had, and why it seemed so similar to other NDEs if it was not.  Given this new information, I feel it is more likely that I may have had an NDE.  I love your site, thank you for keeping up on it!

 Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience:  Uncertain
      Explanation:  I was on an anti-depressant at the time.  Effexor I believe.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes
      What was it about the experience that makes it hard to communicate?  Mostly the feelings, I just cannot express enough how much love there was.  100 times more than you've ever felt here.

At the time of the experience, was there an associated life threatening event?  Uncertain
      Describe:  I don't think so?

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?  Sleeping

Was the experience dream like in any way?  No.  It felt very real and effected me enormously.  Details of dreams fade after time, sometimes immediately after waking.  But I can still remember every detail and feeling.

Did you experience a separation of consciousness from your body?  Uncertain

Describe your appearance or form apart from your body:  I saw a solid form, myself, my body - fall to my knees and sob.  That's the only time I saw myself.  Other than that it was as if I was experiencing it myself.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?  Awe, joy, relief, confusion

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?  No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?  Uncertain      Describe:  I suddenly was in the open space, I don't know if I went through a tunnel or how I got there.

 Did you see a light?  Yes
      Describe:  A place opened up above me with a brilliant, white, misty light.  The light was very, very bright, but it didn�t hurt my eyes.  It started out small and kept opening larger.

Did you meet or see any other beings?  Yes
      Describe:  There was a thick row of tall sunflowers and standing behind looking over them were these beings of light.  They were shaped like a human body, but there were no features, just light and all around the edges, brighter light radiating out.  I KNEW who they were - God, Jesus and angels.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?  No

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?  No response

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?  Yes
      Describe:  I KNEW who they were - God, Jesus and angels.  I knew they were expecting me, they knew I was coming and were waiting for me.  They didn�t say anything to me, I just KNEW these things without any doubt, they were projecting thoughts and feelings to me, and I could feel what they were trying to express to me.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?  Yes
      Describe:  There was a thick row of tall sunflowers .  I also knew that I was absolutely NOT to go beyond that border of sunflowers.

Did you become aware of future events?  No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision to return to the body?  No
      Describe:  There was no question at all, it was as if I knew and they knew that I was there for a short visit for some reason.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?  No

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?  Yes
      Describe:  This experience, whatever it was, changed my life.  I no longer fear death or loved ones dying.  Of course, I would miss them horribly, but I feel more at peace about it now.  I try to be a more loving person.  I try to be loving to everyone and have a special fondness for children.  I've noticed that many people just ignore children and do not take the time to get to know them or speak to them. 

I am not so focused on worldly things and am much more relaxed about life.  I do not believe in hell, not as many people believe it.  I think we may have to face our wrongdoings towards others for awhile - that may feel like �hell�, but we are SO loved, I do not believe that it would be a permanent state.

 Has the experience affected your relationships?  Daily life?  Religious practices etc.?  Career choices?  I am much more forgiving, loving, caring, less judgmental.  More relaxed about life - not so stressed about how I look or how my career is doing or whether I am raising my kids perfectly.  I am not so stressed about whether I am ""sinning"".  I try to be a good person, but I feel my growth is on my own head - I don't feel that I am going to be punished by anyone for what I do or don't do.  I believe I just won't progress like I wanted to and that I'll feel bad when I am shown how my actions/inactions affected others

 Have you shared this experience with others?  Yes

      Describe:  A little.  Some people were awed.  Some people thought I was just having a nice dream.  (I've never even seen any of these things before - that light, the beings of light, the feelings of LOVE....how can you dream something you have no concept of????)

 What emotions did you experience following your experience?  I felt humbled, joy, relief from feeling that wonderful love when I have basically have been without much love since I was born.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?  The best part was the love I felt.  The worst???  I didn't feel any bad feelings about any of it.

 Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?  Yes

 Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?  Yes
      Describe:  Kind of.  Just that there are movies or stories I have watched/read that reminded me of different aspects of what happened to me.

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?  Yes
      Explain:  Seems great to me!  Keep up the good work. : )