at 10 years old, I was attending a darkened theater where my church was being held. hymns were being sung and suddenly as I looked at the stage, the heavy velvet curtains were automatically lifted to the left corner of the stage and I was suddenly engulfed in a beautiful garden, on the side of a grassy hill. there were beautiful and exotic crystal life flowers, of colors not of this earth. I had never seen such gorgeous flowers that looked like they were made of glass. I was astonished and could not take my eyes off of them. suddenly, the most indescribable feeling of unconditional love swept toward me in the garden and a voice told me that I was loved. When this love moved away from me and did not return, I was very sad for a long while. time was non existent. 

at 16 years old, I was swimming out to the breakers at the beach, when suddenly I was swept under a rip tide there and drug under the water and unable to catch my breath or maneuver out of the current. suddenly, my life from an early age to that present age started to flash before my mind, like a movie on fast forward. then, a voice softly told me to swim parallel  with the beach. After a awhile, I seemed to be flung up onto the edge of the beach sand. it took me awhile to start breathing again. time was non existent. As before, I never told anyone as I know no one would belief my experience in the ocean. 

at 67 years old, I was pacing back and forth in our living room, the sun was out, and I was trying to figure out what to do with all the financial and marital troubles that I was facing. suddenly, I found myself being pulled quickly up a golden tunnel towards a bright light. I appeared to be standing on a short stool, with many heavy chains holding me to the floor. the chains gradually all broke, and I was lifted up into the tunnel. This was one of my most mind and unearthly experiences of all. after leaving the tunnel, I found my self sitting at the edge of a beautiful and well lit huge room, like a cathedral. Others seemed to be floating in a mist all around me, and moving slowly and gracefully, singing wonderful praises to god. there was complete connection and love between  all of us. to me this was my real home and I did not ever want to leave it. time was non existent. then as suddenly as I was pulled up into the golden tunnel and bright light, I found myself back in my living room. I had never experienced anything like this. it just reinforced my knowledge that when we die, we don't really die but pass into a glorious and eternal life energy and soul with god. only good, nothing evil can exist there. 

As with other near death experiences others have had, I told no one, not even my closest family, because I knew that they would not believe me. As I got older and found supportive and spiritual friends, I began to share these experiences. however, even when I shared my experiences with some people that would understand, they said that was from the devil, not god. I did not believe them. I know what I saw and experienced over the years. I am truly sorry for those doubters, that they would never have these eternal experiences. 

my one question is that I know millions of all ethnic, spiritual and non spiritual persons have had these experiences, why do just a few of us experience this wonderful knowledge and blessings? Maybe you could answer my question. 

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes   a near drowning experience

Was the experience difficult to express in words?....No....

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?....More consciousness and alertness than normal    when I was with god in this heavenly place and with others in this high state of consciousness.....yes, there is not place there for earthly, pride, ego, jealousy, ambition, or cruelty, only love peace and joy.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    totally, the difference between day and night. our physical body and mind keep us from experiencing the utter freedom, love and eternal peace that is in this eternal existence.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    the same, except for the drowning incident, where I actually hear a voice guide be back to the shore. Another time when I was older, our paint business was our family paint business was burnt down by an arsonist. though my family at that time were over come by grief. I stepped aside into the kitchen area. as I was standing there wondering what to do, another soft male voice comforted me and told that all would be well and not to be disturbed by the disaster. 

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?....unconditional love and acceptance by god and those that surrounded him  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?....Yes....the golden tunnel surrounded me and it was quiet and not unpleasant. I was not aware of any texture of other materials.

Did you see an unearthly light?....Yes....the whole cathedral like room was lit with a bright but warm and unearthly light.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?....I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin    yes, I heard a soft masculine voice with love and kindness toward me.

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?....Yes....the near drowning incident showed me my life in fast speed, like watching a fast forward movie.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?....A clearly mystical or unearthly realm....with all my out of body experiences, except my near drowning, I did enter another world, not of this earth, but in the next existence of eternity

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?....No....no except for the near downing.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?....Everything about myself or others....yes, that we are all external and have souls that go on, after our earthly physical bodies die or are temporarily suspended, while we experience this wonderful loving and peaceful existence.

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....

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

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:....Large changes in my life....because I was so young when I experienced my first episode and conversion. god has always been in my life. I believe now I am much more compassionate and accepting of different types and ethnicity of others.....

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?    Yes     I can accept changes and other peoples personalities differences much better. when I get in a bind once in awhile, I just know that there is a lesson that I am supposed to learn from these situations, while on earth

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?....Yes     yes,  I seem to have a heightened awareness of the intrinsic mindset of other people. it can be a burden at times, that I can read other peoples motives and behaviors and can also be somewhat upsetting to me. however, the blessings we receive from these experiences are greater than their burdens.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes   I attempted to share the last experience with my then husband, but he did not believe me and doubted that it happened to me. Also, a few others thought these experiences were from the devil. which they are not!

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    these experiences were the real reality. we live inside our bodies, but our souls are eternal. it is often said that this life and time are only an illusion.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:....Experience was definitely real....there is no doubt that we live our lives in a false reality. only when we join with god in a truly spiritual way, are we really alive.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?....No....

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?....No   

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?....No