Immediately, a strong but gentle voice spoke to me from the light, a voice heard not with my ears but with my mind.  The being of light said, "Carry, I love you exactly the way you are."  The funny thing was that when I heard that voice I recognize it.  Somehow, I 'knew' this being.  He was like the best friend I always wanted and wished for but did not know it.  But, upon hearing his voice, I knew him immediately.   

When the being of light first said this, I felt like the most loved human being of all time, the most favorite of all human beings in the universe, past, present or future, yet at the same time I knew this being loved everyone equally and just as infinitely as I felt right then.  The being delighted in me and was completely focused on me.  I was the center of its attention yet somehow I knew everyone was at the 'center' of its attention. 

When the being said those words to me I knew it saw me as I was, faults and all, not just at that moment, but for all the moments of my life. I felt no shame, no judgment; in fact, it was so liberating to be known so perfectly, to be so wonderfully accepted, yet at the same time, not judged or condemned in the slightest way.   

I saw this encounter as my best chance to ask the being of light a question.  I somehow knew this being was God, Jesus in fact.  I had been struggling with homosexual thoughts since a teen and felt so ashamed, so I asked this being, "Is it alright to be gay?"   

I could not see the face of this being, but I can tell you I 'know' it smiled and laughed.  It did not laugh at me.  It seemed to enjoy the fact that I asked my question as if it knew how hard it was for me to ask it and how earnestly I sought the answer.  It 'looked' at me with such love (I felt this but again I could not see its face) and then the loving being said, "Carry, that is not the most important question."  He said that with such gentleness; it clearly wanted to draw me into his life so that all my questions could be answered.  Before I could ask, "What is the most important question?," it "touched" the top of my head.  Again, I did not see this being touch me, but I know it did.  And, when it touched my head my whole body became translucent.  I could see right through my body and my clothes yet at the same time I could make out every detail even as I could see right through myself!  Then, it poured something of itself in me, and a wonderful golden light poured into me.  It was pure gold, a shimmering golden light.  It was so beautiful; it was not like any ordinary light as this light was 'alive' with pure joy, peace, goodness, life.  And, I watched as the golden light 'filled' up my feet and then my legs and then my whole body to the very top of my head.  At that eternal moment, I felt so alive, so free, so loved, so joyful that I no longer wanted to be on this earth.  I realized that if I wanted to I could 'will' myself to leave my body and enter that wonderful light, becoming one with that being of light.  And, so I did will that I leave my body, but the light instantly disappeared.  Later, my friend Joe admitted that in his mind's eye he also saw a being of light while praying but as his eyes were closed he did not see what I saw.  A few days later, I met a friend who knew nothing of what had happened and she immediately exclaimed, "Carry, what happened, you are so bright!"  All of this happened years ago.   

The experience changed me.  God is real to me.  I eventually became a Catholic priest.  One of the lingering effects of this experience is that I am able to "see" spirits of people for a few days after their deaths.  I have many encounters with loved ones right after their deaths.  I could 'see' them and they communicate to me their joy.  One told me, "Carry, it is so beautiful!" 

I have felt the same unconditional love and exquisite joy that I felt with the being of light (Jesus) when they 'visit.'  As a Catholic priest, I have experienced loving spirits at the funerals of parishioners.  Sometimes, I can 'see' their loved ones standing next to the bereaved and I can feel their heavenly joy.   

Consequently, I have no fear of death as I know that this loving being of light is real.  As I say, I know that this being of light is Jesus.  If we only knew, how loved we are loved by God and that we are truly beings of love meant to love and receive love!

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     I can describe it but I express in words the love/joy/peace I felt.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    The entire time I was fully alert and fully conscious.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    More consciousness and alertness than normal

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and alertness, please explain:            The entire time I was fully alert and fully conscious.

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision (in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)?  Yes     Yes, the light from this being was incredible.  Indescribable.  It was beautiful, translucent, crystalline, pure, alive, filled with joy, humor and life.  I was amazed I could look at this light without pain as it was brighter than a million suns.  If light could be pure love, joy, peace, this light was infinitely so.  It was a living light. It radiated love, peace and joy.

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing (in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?
            No       The room was quiet and the only 'sound' I could hear was the 'sound' of the telepathically delivered voice.  The voice was more than a voice as it expressed the whole personality of the being.  A being of pure joy, love with a wonderful sense of humor and an easy ability to laugh.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Joy!  Love!  Peace!  Timelessness.  Eternity.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No      

Did you see a light?           Yes    

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     The Being of light.  He communicated telepathically with me.  This kind of communication was natural and 'normal.'  No one else was present except for my friend Joe.  Once the conversation began, I was alone with the being of light.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    No       Not particular events, but I knew that the Being of Light did.  He saw my whole life at one time, past, present and future. His response to me was one of unconditional love and delight.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Yes     As I said, Joe 'saw' the light in his mind's eye as he prayed.  And, a friend later, 'saw' the light glowing around me without knowing anything about the incident.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?           No            After, I met the being of light, and began 'speaking with him', it was just me and him.  It was as if everything else faded into the background.  I felt I had all the time I wanted or needed with this being.  There as no rush, no sense of urgency.  It was very relaxed;  I felt totally free to be myself as this being was also totally free.  Its freedom and joy and humor was intoxicating.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes     Yes, absolutely, time stopped.  I was in 'eternity.'  Time and place as descriptors no one longer had relevance.  This was not time or place like I have ever experienced.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes            Yes, in the sense, that I knew I and the entire human race is incredibly loved.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No       The only boundary I experienced was when I tried to leave my body and become one with this being of light. It would not permit this.  I think if i had done that I would have died and it was not my time.

Did you become aware of future events?       No           

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?     Yes     Yes, I 'see' those who have just died.  I have had numerous experiences with deceased friends and loved one visiting me and saying good-bye.  One told me that she was in heaven and that it was 'so beautiful' she said this to me as if she knew "when" I was to die and join her, too.  As a priest, I often experience this at funerals and burials.  It invokes the same experience I had with this being of light.  I feel joy, peace, love of the dead.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     I have done this many times.  Those who believe in God accept it as a possibility.  Those who do not believe do not.  I have often told others who are dying about this experience with the being of light.  I do not say "I" was the one who had the experience and they are very comforted by it.  When I share the experience of the dead person's presence with their loved ones, they are very comforted by it.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    No            This was 1971 and before this was discussed.

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely real    More real than this world.  The material world is real to be sure, but this reality is 'more real.'

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?            The being of light whom I see as Jesus.  It is clear that he loves everyone in a way that is amazing.  I know for non-believers it is hard to imagine an Being that is madly in love with all of us.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real    It is an ongoing source of comfort and encouragement.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes     My whole life has been changed.  I find life an adventure with daily spiritual lessons offered us by life experiences and relationships.  Life can get better and better if we embrace it all--even the tragedies of life--as part of the whole picture.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            Yes     Yes, I would say.  I became a Catholic priest.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No       No, I was not taking any medications.  I had nothing to drink.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        It was a wonderful experience.  It happened when I was 21 but I remember it as fresh as when it happened with crystal clarity.

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Yes    

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?   No suggestions.