Even at the time of the experience I had no recollection of re-entering my body, or of deciding that I must do so, and my only recollection is of feeling very shaken as I pulled into the side to stop.  I got out of the car and walked about for a few minutes to re-compose myself before I feeling able enough to continue the journey.  There was no sense of feeling unwell or strange in any way immediately before the experience and I felt perfectly fit and normal immediately after it, however, it was an alarming experience and as a result I was a bit worried about my mental health. 

I had a consultation with my doctor (GP) that evening who took my account seriously. He assured me that such experiences did happen and usually to people under stress but that medical science did not yet understand such experiences.  He advised me not to worry about it and that there was nothing wrong with my mental state.     

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

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?   No    The experience was vivid but it was difficult to understand in that all aspects of it defied all practical logic.

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?   This was as normal.

Was the experience dream like in any way?   Most certainly not.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   Yes   This was total and my form as it appeared was normal me.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?    Detachment, the sense of alarm came after re-entering my body.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?    No sound whatsoever as I recall.

Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    Yes    From my detached position I recognised every aspect of myself, the car and its location as normal.

Did you see a light?    No   

Did you meet or see any other beings?    No   

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?    No   

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No   

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?    No   

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    The situation defied all logic and I could not and still cannot imaging any mental condition or function that could facilitate such a situation.  I caused me to wonder if we do have a soul seperate from the body as this seems the only explanation for the experience.

Later experiences, when my wife and I very often found ourselves not just thinking similar thoughts but even debating in our own minds the same issue at the same moment suggested that there is an ability to communicate mentally.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?    It had no effect in any area.  Despite a religious upbringing I have never had any religious belief and the experience did not change my views.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No   

Have you shared this experience with others?    Yes    Other than my doctor polite acceptance of the story and likely disbelief.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   The best part is that it suggested to me, this despite all logic, that there is possibly something more to us than just the flesh and blood of our bodies.  The worst part is that I do not like that which I do not understand.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?    No.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?    No            I have since undergone what I would consider to be very much more stressful situations than those experienced at the time of the occurrence but there has never been a similar experience.