Immediately, I felt my feet vibrating, and then I began to hear a hissing sound. This vibration in my feet started to move up my legs. As the vibration moved up my legs, the hissing sound became louder until it became almost deafening. The vibration started moving up my body in a wave motion. Then as it came up to my throat, stopped and seem to be stuck. Then all of a sudden there was an explosion of light around my throat and I was hovering on the ceiling looking down at my body. My first thought was that I must have died. At that moment I was transported to this tunnel that had dark walls. I looked up and saw this incredible bright white light. I felt like I had wings and I instinctively started flying to the light. I remember seeing the walls of the tunnel passing by as I flew to the light. As I became closer to the source of the light, I felt that this light had a very powerful intelligence. The closer I got to the light, it seemed that my consciousness was merging with the intelligence of the light.

That's when I became scared and thought I was being possessed or something.

With that thought I flashed back into my physical body. My heart was pounding and I had a cold sweat. I was really upset. Later after I had time to think about it, I understood that we don't die when we die. This experience started my searching spiritually. It was like an awakening. I started studying various forms of mediation and spiritual practices.

I now work with shamans in the Amazon and do ceremony with them and work with the teacher plants, mostly with ayahuasca. This has helped me understand more of who I am, my place in the universe, and the nature of consciousness.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No      

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No      

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

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

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   no, it was the most real experience I've ever had. I realized that the physical world is a dream, and the out of body experience is more real.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes     I didn't look at my form during the out of body experience, as I was so intensely looking at the light. I did feel like I had wings and I would flap them faster and faster so I could reach the light.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            At first I was fixed on going to the light. Then as I approached the light, I felt fear. I attribute that to my Christian upbringing.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           A loud hissing sound before I left my body.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?            Uncertain      I just felt like the source of the light was very intelligent and powerful.

Did you see a light?           Yes     The light was at the end of a long tunnel It was a bright white light.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Just the light being at the end of the tunnel.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? No      

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

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          No      

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?          Uncertain      I really didn't think about that. I was so mesmerized by the light.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes            Afterward I understood that our consciousness doesn't' die.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             No      

Did you become aware of future events?       No      

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Yes     I think my fear returned me to my body.

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

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     I realized that my Christian upbringing didn't answer my questions about the nature of reality and the process of death.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I realize that the most important thing in life is to love all beings, and not to get caught up in minor disagreements. Just love and be kind to all beings.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes     Please see above comments.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Yes, I've talked to a counselor and my friends. My counselor was very envious of my experience. He had practice a number of spiritual practices and had never had such an experience. Some of my friends thought I was crazy.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  At first I was in shock, then I calmed down and seemed like some information came to me that everything was ok and that it changed my whole idea of the nature of reality.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was feeling such a freedom, and release when I left my body.

It was awesome !!! and I felt so free. The worse part was when I approached the light and became scared.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I would like to add, that during this period of my life I was depressed and had thoughts of suicide. I now believe that this light, this consciousness of the light, was probably my higher self intervening so I would not attempt suicide. The experience changed my life in that it gave me hope and helped me understand that there is more to life than my culture had taught me.