We were afraid to engage and marry "for eternity" and wanted to have a confirmation that our choice of life was the right one.

For a long time we prayed together, holding our hands.

Than together we both had the same experience that we were able to describe with similar terms.

We lost the awareness of the physical boundaries of our bodies.

We had the impression to be part of a infinitely great  whole. I could'nt say that we were localised in a place, since we were part of the infinite, so more like being everywhere. Our eyes were closed, and for me, the immensity had no colour.

It was something unbelievably powerful, but at the same time disagreeable and alarming. Because I had the impression that my mind, or my conscience continued to expand, and if it continued to do so that , what was my physical person would disintegrate, would disperse itself and would stop existing..

During all this time , while we had the impression to make one with the infinite, or the universe, we both felt an omniscient, omnipotent presence, full of love.

It was the strongest feeling that we felt: the feeling of love, being loved deeply.

I don't know how the experience ended. At a moment we were together, eyes open and we were unable to get over what we just experienced and especially that we felt the same thing together.

At first this experience reassured us in our religious beliefs. Even though it finally brought us no reply to our questioning.

And most of all it contibuted to the continuity of our marriage. Because despite all difficulties that we encountered, this experience is always present between us. We never wanted to speak about it.

I'm no more believing and I prefer to find scientific explanations to things that seem to be supernatural.

Two years ago I discovered about  NDEs. I was very surprised, to find experiences similar to those happenening, when people are in deep meditation.

My experience is doubtless quite small in comparison to a "real NDE", but I believe that it could be classified in the same group, by its character of infinite love and of non localization of conscience.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No 

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes     Words cannot reproduce the level of power that I felt and sensed. They cannot describe the "Infinite".

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?   During the whole experience.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      More consciousness and alertness than normal   The sensations felt cannot be quantified in words and in intensity. But they remain engraved in me for ever.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   There was no colour, but also not complete blackness.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I did'nt have any conscience of the outer world anymore. I did'nt hear anything.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Joy and fear.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   No  

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
No localization, so no notion of time.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about myself or others
To understand what Love is.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   No

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (�life after death�)?   Uncertain   This omniscient and omnipotent presence seemingly had no limits in time or space. As well as the Love that was infinite, suggesting that everything is infinite.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   There is a power, a presence that fills space. It can be sensed by several persons at the same moment, as this has happened to my husband and myself. This presence can "tell" us or "make us feel"  certain things.

Here it was that we were loved.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain   It seems that our conscience might not be separated of the rest of the universe.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   Love is infinite and it can be sensed at an unimaginable level.

Love fills the universe, and it is intended for us. We forget too often that "we are loved". That this power or presence loves us.

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Mormons believe in a life before terrestrial life and in an afterlife. They also believe in the presence of a God, who would be a Being, having already accomplished a terrestrial experience similar to ours, but at a different moment.

So I was not surprised to feel a presence, a power. At the same time I did'nt have the impression that it came from a single being formed like a human being. It seemed to  emanate from everywhere.

Then, I expected to receive a reply ( as Mormons believe in guidance and personal revelation, with words or sensations that could orientate decisions, that would impose on the mind)

I did'nt receive a reply concerning the good or bad choice, that I made in marrying.

What I felt was something different, that I did not expect.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   The emotion and the feelings are undiminished. I would like to verify what I wrote into my personal diary at the time. But I describe the experience the same way and my husband also.

He recently talked to me about this experience, and the "words" he used are identical after 13 years and without having talked about it  since at least ten years.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I believed that it was a spiritual manifestation, of which the Mormons speak. So I engaged myself profoundly in the Mormon church.

My experience directly resulted in:   Large changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Uncertain   My husband and myself agree to say, that if we had not shared this experience together, we probably would not have made our life together.

We have many disagreements about the way how to live our life, but this memory is a powerful bond.

Personally I did not "find" what I looked for in the Mormon church, and I was very unhappy, until I found  the energy to get away and to "eliminate all those beliefs about good, bad, culpability, fear and punishment". I had to do work on myself, that brought me to realize that God cannot be at our image, and that humans on the earth cannot decide what we have to do or how we have to think.

This liberated me from the fear I had, to live my life, and to make  mistakes.

Only now I can accept the experience I shared with my husband, as a universal manifestation of the power that animates the universe, regardless of all dogmas and  religious confessions

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   No        

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   No 

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   It seemed to be in harmony with the beliefs I had at that time, so I was rather receptive of this experience.

What I felt was so intense and present in my mind that it could not have been dreamed.

The more, that my husband described to me exactly the same thing, even though, that during the experience we did not talk. We just held hands and were meditating about our common question.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   It seems even more real to me now, since now I know about the NDEs.

I browsed through a book at Virgins, of a neurosurgeon who had a NDE, and was struck by his account that said: "I felt that I was loved."

At this moment I made the connection to my own experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   I engaged myself deeper into the Mormon religion and married my husband in the Mormon tradition.

But we were not really ready to engage. The first years of our marriage have been very difficult.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   More engagement.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   Yes   At certain (very short) moments, when I am calm, and when I contemplate the sky or nature, I feel that my conscience starts to "expand", to "ascend" into a vaster space than the one where it is located, namely  my body.

I do'nt like this sensation too much, because in the beginning it is an agreable sensation of communion, of all-might with the elements, but when I realize that I cannot merge deeper, that I cannot expand further, my body gives to me the impression to be fragmented, so as if he reminded me my actual limits. The bodily feeling is disagreable. I do'nt like too much making this kind of experience. Besides I am not meditating or praying anymore.

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

What could a national organization with an interest in near death experience (NDE) do that would be of interest to you?       To continue collecting informations and to diffuse them as much as possible. One makes too often a mockery of those experiences. After reading plenty of accounts, I find that they are full of hopes.

DESCRIPTION DE L�EXPERIENCE :

Mon mari et moi �tions � l'�poque Mormons. Les mormons croient au pouvoir de la r�v�lation personnelle, notamment gr�ce � la pri�re.

Nous avions peur de nous engager et de nous marier "pour l'�ternit�" et nous voulions avoir une confirmation que notre choix de vie �tait bon.

Nous avons pri� longtemps, ensemble en nous tenant la main.

Nous avons alors fait tous les 2 la m�me exp�rience que nous avons pu d�crire avec des mots semblables.

Nous n'avons plus eu conscience des limites physiques de notre corps.

Nous avons eu l'impression de faire parti d'un tout, infiniment grand. Je ne pourrais pas dire que nous �tions localis�s en un lieu, puisque faisant parti de l'infini, donc plut�t comme �tant partout. Nos yeux �taient ferm�s, et pour moi, l'immensit� n'avait pas de couleur.

C'�tait quelque chose d'incroyablement puissant, mais �galement d�sagr�able et inqui�tant. Car j'avais l'impression que mon esprit, ou ma conscience continuait de s�agrandir, et que si cela continuait, ce que j'�tais physiquement se morcellerait, s��parpillerait et finirait d'exister.  

Pendant tout le temps o� nous avons eu l'impression de ne faire plus qu'un avec l'infini, ou l'univers, nous avons tous les deux ressenti une pr�sence omnisciente, omnipotente, pleine d'amour.

C'est le sentiment le plus fort que nous ayons ressenti: le sentiment d'amour, d'�tre profond�ment aim�s. 

Je ne sais pas comment l'exp�rience a pris fin. A un moment nous �tions ensemble, avec les yeux ouverts et nous n'en revenions pas de ce que nous venions de vivre et surtout que nous ayons ressenti la m�me chose.

Cette exp�rience, nous a confort� dans notre religion dans un premier temps. Bien que finalement elle n'apportait pas de r�ponse � notre question.

Et surtout, elle a contribu� � la continuit� de notre mariage. Car malgr� toutes les difficult�s que nous avons rencontr�es, cette exp�rience reste pr�sente entre nous.

Nous n'avons jamais souhait� en parler. 

Je ne suis plus croyante, et je pr�f�re trouver des explications scientifiques aux choses qui paraissent surnaturelles.

J'ai d�couvert il y a 2 ans ce qu'�taient les EMI.J'ai �t� tr�s surprise de retrouver des exp�riences similaires lorsque des gens �taient en profondes m�ditations.

Mon exp�rience est sans doute mince par rapport � une "vraie EMI", mais je crois qu'elle peut s'inscrire dans cette lign�e, de part le caract�re d'amour infini et de non localisation de la conscience.

Au moment de votre exp�rience, y avait-il une situation mettant votre vie en danger ?  No

Cette exp�rience est-elle difficile � d�crire avec des mots ?          Yes     Les mots ne peuvent reproduire le niveau de puissance de ce que j'ai �prouv� et ressenti. Ils ne peuvent pas d�crire "l'infini".

Comparez votre niveau d��tat conscience et de lucidit� maximum pendant l�exp�rience � celui de tous les jours ? Les sensations ressenties ne sont quantifiables en mots et en intensit�. Mais elles restent � jamais inscrites en moi.

Veuillez comparer votre vue pendant l�exp�rience � celle que vous aviez imm�diatement avant l�exp�rience. Il n'y avait pas de couleur sans que ce soit tout noir.

Veuillez comparer votre ou�e pendant l�exp�rience � celle que vous aviez imm�diatement avant l�exp�rience. Je n'avais plus conscience du monde ext�rieur. Je n'ai rien entendu.

Avez-vous vu ou entendu des �v�nements terrestres qui se d�roulaient alors que votre conscience �tait s�par�e de votre corps physique/terrestre ?     No  

Quelles �motions ressentiez-vous pendant l�exp�rience ?            De la joie et de la peur.  

Avez-vous travers� un tunnel ? No  

Avez-vous vu une lumi�re surnaturelle ?        No  

Vous a-t-il sembl� rencontrer un �tre ou une pr�sence �sot�rique, ou bien entendre une voix non identifi�e ?

Avez-vous rencontr� ou d�cel� des �tres ayant v�cu pr�c�demment sur terre et dont le nom est mentionn� par les religions (par exemple : J�sus, Mahomet, Bouddha, etc.) ?     No  

Avez-vous rencontr� ou d�cel� des �tres d�c�d�s (ou en vie) ? No  

Au cours de l�exp�rience, avez-vous eu connaissance d��v�nements de votre pass� ?      No  

Avez-vous sembl� p�n�trer dans un monde diff�rent, surnaturel ?        No


Le temps a-t-il sembl� acc�l�rer ou ralentir ? Pas de localisation, donc pas de notion de temps.

Avez-vous soudainement sembl� comprendre tout ?         Everything about myself or others
Comprendre ce que l'amour est.

Avez-vous vu des sc�nes de l�avenir ?           No 

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques sugg�rant que l�existence persiste (ou non) apr�s la vie terrestre (vie apr�s la mort) ?            Uncertain   Cette pr�sence omnisciente et omnipotente ne semblait pas limit�e dans le temps ou l'espace. Tout comme l'amour qui �tait infini, sugg�rant que tout est infini.

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques sugg�rant que Dieu ou un �tre supr�me existe (ou non) ?            Yes   Il y une force, une pr�sence, qui remplie l'espace. Elle peut �tre per�ue par plusieurs personnes au m�me moment, puis que c'est ce qui est arriv� � mon mari et � moi m�me.Cette pr�sence peut nous "dire" ou nous "faire ressentir" des choses.

Ici c'est que nous �tions aim�s.

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques sugg�rant que vous existiez (ou non) avant votre vie actuelle ?  No  

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques sugg�rant qu�il existe (ou non) un lien ou une unit�/unicit� mystique dans l�univers ?            Uncertain   Il semblerait que notre conscience ne soit pas s�par�e du reste de l'univers.

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques concernant le sens ou le but de la vie terrestre?      No  

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques concernant les difficult�s, d�fis, �preuves de la vie terrestre?     No  

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert des informations / un savoir sp�cifiques concernant l�amour?         Yes   L'amour est infini et il peut �tre ressenti � un degr� inimaginable.

L'amour rempli l'univers, et il nous est destin�. Nous oublions trop souvent qu"on nous aime". Que cette force ou pr�sence nous aime.

Pendant votre exp�rience, avez-vous d�couvert d�autres information / un autre savoir sp�cifiques que vous n�avez pas mentionn� pour d�autres questions et qui serait pertinent pour vivre nos vies terrestres?  No  

Avez-vous le sentiment d�avoir connaissance d�un savoir ou dessein particulier?    No  

Ce qui s�est produit pendant votre exp�rience comportait:           Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Les Mormons croient en une vie avant la vie terrestre et en une vie apr�s. De m�me, ils croient en la pr�sence d'un Dieu, qui serait un �tre ayant d�j� accompli une exp�rience terrestre similaire � la notre � un moment diff�rent.

Je n'ai donc pas �t� surprise de ressentir une pr�sence, une force. En m�me temps je n'ai pas eu l'impression qu'elle �manait d'un �tre unique et form� comme un homme. Elle semblait �maner de partout.

Ensuite, je m'attendais � recevoir une r�ponse (comme les Mormons croient en la guidance et la r�v�lation personnelle, avec des mots ou des sensations qui pourraient orienter les d�cisions, et qui s'imposeraient � l'esprit).

Je n'ai pas eu de r�ponse concernant le bon ou le mauvais choix que je faisais en me mariant.

Ce que j'ai ressenti �tait autre chose, � laquelle je ne m'attendais pas.

Comparez le degr� de pr�cision de votre souvenir de l�exp�rience avec le souvenir d�autres �v�nements qui se sont produits � l��poque?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   L'�motion et le ressenti sont intactes. J'aimerais v�rifier ce que j'ai �crit dans mon journal personnel � l'�poque. Mais je d�cris cette exp�rience de la m�me fa�on et mon mari �galement.

Il m'a r�cemment parl� de cette exp�rience, et les "mots" qu'il a utilis�s sont identiques apr�s 13 ans et sans en avoir reparl� ensemble depuis au moins une dizaine d'ann�es.

Veuillez expliquer tout changement qui aurait eu lieu dans votre vie apr�s votre exp�rience:   J'ai cru qu'il s'agissait d'une manifestation spirituelle dont parle les Mormons. Je me suis donc engag�e � fond dans l'Eglise Mormone.

Apr�s s��tre produite, votre exp�rience a-t-elle provoqu� des changements dans vos valeurs ou vos croyances ?           Uncertain   Nous nous accordons avec mon mari pour dire que si nous n'avions pas ressenti cette exp�rience commune, nous n'aurions pas fait notre vie ensemble.

Nous avons de nombreux d�saccords sur la fa�on de mener notre vie, mais se souvenir est lien puissant.

Personnellement je n'ai pas "trouv�" ce que je cherchais dans l��glise Mormone", et j'ai �t� tr�s malheureuse, jusqu'� ce que j'ai le courage d'en sortir et de "liquider toutes ses croyances sur le bien, le mal, la culpabilit�, la peur et la punition". J'ai fait un travail sur moi-m�me qui m'a amen� � r�aliser que Dieu ne peut �tre � notre image et que des hommes sur terre ne peuvent pas d�cider de ce que nous devons faire ou de comment nous devons penser.

Cela m'a lib�r�e de la peur que j'avais de vivre ma vie et de me tromper.

Ce n'est que maintenant que j'accepte l'exp�rience que j'ai eu avec mon mari, comme une manifestation universelle de la puissance qui anime l'univers, ind�pendamment de tous dogmes et de toutes confessions religieuses.

Y a-t-il une ou plusieurs parties de l�exp�rience particuli�rement significative(s) ou avec une valeur particuli�re pour vous ? 

Apr�s votre exp�rience, poss�diez-vous des facult�s paranormales, sortant de l�ordinaire ou autres que vous n�aviez pas avant l�exp�rience ?    No       

Avez-vous racont� cette exp�rience � quelqu�un ? No 

Avant votre exp�rience, connaissiez-vous les exp�riences de mort imminente (EMI) ?        No  

Vos relations ont-elles chang� directement � cause de votre exp�rience ?     Yes   Je me suis engag�e dans la religion Mormone avec encore plus de ferveur, et j'ai �pous� mon mari dans la tradition Mormone.

Mais nous n'�tions pas vraiment pr�t nous engager. Les premi�res ann�es de notre mariage ont �t� tr�s difficile.

Vos croyances/pratiques religieuses ont-elles chang� directement � cause de votre exp�rience ?            Yes   Plus d'engagement.

Au cours de votre vie, est-ce que quoi que ce soit, � un moment quelconque, a reproduit une partie de l�exp�rience ?    Yes   A certains moments (tr�s brefs), lorsque je suis au calme, et que je contemple le ciel ou la nature, je sens ma conscience se "dilater", "monter" dans un espace plus grand que celui dans le lequel elle se trouve, en l'occurrence mon corps.