Experience description:

I was at Mass in my own Catholic church one Sunday.  My family was not with me at the time and I was sitting in the front pew next to strangers.  During what is called the offertory of the Mass, I was looking down at my hands.  I thought to myself, with mild disgust, "my hands look old, like my mother's".  Just then as I looked up toward the altar and the priest, everything was bathed in a very bright light.  I could still see the doings on the altar as I heard a male voice speak to me.  The voice said these words: "It is not what your hands look like that's important, it's the work they do that's beautiful, and the work of the hands of everyone here."  Upon the hearing of the the word beautiful, it was as if I was looking down into a deep well, I could see written words coming out of this well, words which I understood to define beautiful.  Love, kindness, peace, goodness etc., and many more words I could not see. At the mention of "everyone here" I had a strong desire to turn to look at the women next to me but I thought the light would fade if I moved, I turned anyway and the light remained.  When my eyes looked forward again all was normal, the light was gone, my experience was over.

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?   Yes, I had a vision of a well, also, the voice was in my head.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Uncertain      While looking straight ahead, my vision was seen as if I was looking down.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Amazement, wonder, peace, numbness

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           I heard a voice in my head, it shocked me.

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?    No           

Did you see a light?           Yes     The whole scene was bathed in light.

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?          Yes     I was so moved by the experience I did not notice the rest of the Mass, I was walking out of the church when I was aware of myself and surroundings again.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes            The definition of beauty was shown to me.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Many changes and beliefs, the power of God, His presents, His light, His wisdom, etc... I cannot name all of it.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I have not changed my career but slowly I have begun working with my hands, giving up thinking about how I look as important, although working to be healthy and active.  Working with my hands as much as possible, to help others and working in any way that I feel directed my God.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes     I work with my hands with greater confidence, when I set about a task I feel joy knowing I am creating beauty in the eyes of God.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     I told my mother, who shared a vision experience of her own with me.  My husband thinks I a little wacky, my children believe me and they know the words my heart.  It has changed us but don't know how much yet.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Directly afterwards I told an acquaintance and he did not believe me at all.  Then I was discouraged from talking about it and could not even think about for a number of years as it was difficult to process.  Finally I am able to digest it more and more and figure out what to do with it.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      I really know, have personal knowledge that God does exist and I can pass that knowing on to others.  When others don't believe me it can be difficult but I do not share it lightly.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No      

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