Experience description:

I was diagnosed with Lyme's Disease in June of 2016.  I did not know what was wrong with me and delayed going to the doctor for weeks.  After being diagnosed, I was given a very strong antibiotic to take.  I was unable to work for weeks because of being so sick and lack of energy.  I would sleep at least 8 hours at night, get up when my wife went to work each morning, by moving to my recliner in our living room.  After she left I would fall back to sleep and wake when she got back home.  In other words, I was sleeping probably 16 to 18 hours a day.  This went on for over a week.

So, one morning, I get up and move to my recliner as I normally did.  My wife left for work and about 10 seconds after she closed the door,  and I was sitting in my chair looking out through the back door window at the birds in our yard, when all the sudden, just like someone turned off a switch, I was standing in a dark place.  It totally startled me and I was filled with fear.  I remember saying out loud, "What the ....!" (no curse word, just the two word phrase I used a lot!)  I stood there a few moments trying to figure out what was happening.  Then I remember thinking, I must be dead!  I was so aware of my situation, so vividly aware, I knew I was not dreaming.  I know when I have a dream and most people know a dream .. this was NOT a dream, it was as real as my typing this.  I had feeling, fear, questions ... it was so weird.  Then I remember thinking about what I had heard in the past about people seeing a light in the distance, so I started looking for it!  I really concentrated and I saw a very, very small light in the distance.  I estimate about the size of a pin head.  So I concentrated on that spot hoping I would "Go to the light".  I know this sounds strange but I did not know what else to do.  As I was staring at the light, I seemed to notice something in my peripheral vision to my right.  So I turned my head to look.  There was very, very little light, just enough for me to make out the distinct view of a rounded tunnel!  I remember saying out loud, "I am in a physical tunnel!"  I could see the roundness of the sides of the tunnel.  It was pretty dark but I could make out the construction of the sides.  They were rounded and the top might have been an estimated 7 to 10 feel tall the way it was arching, but it was too dark to make out that part.  But I could see the panels on the sides.  It looked like approx. 30" panels, all staggered, attached to each other.  I could actually see the design, which was plain except a rectangle design on each panel and the color, with very little light, looked to be bronze or maybe even gold with very little light, I am not sure.  But I was so amazed that I was in an actual tunnel!  I remember being fascinated but alarmed at the same time.  Something that I remembered when I came back in my body was that there was a light behind me, not real bright, but enough that it made the panels where I could see them.  I have NO idea why I did not look to the source of the light but it was not important at that time.  So, I remember thinking to myself, "I am going to go over there and look at the panels".  As soon as I felt me right foot move just an inch, wham!  I was back in my chair at home, eyes wide open and me being very alert and still scared from the incident!  It was just like I was there in darkness and then back at home in a millisecond travel time.  I don't know how else to explain it.  I KNOW it was not a dream!  It was too real and I was so alert, being in the physical stress my body was in. I knew without a doubt that I had died and saw the other side.  I really think the medication I was on plus the weakness in my body caused my heart to stop, then restart on its own.  If I were to honestly estimate, it seems from the time I was rushed to the dark place, then back in my chair, it might have been about 2 minutes or so.  If I were to know the time, which could have been more or less. But it felt that way.

I did not see other people, did not hear any thing, except my own voice!  All I know is that it was real and it happened.  I think the biggest thing about something like this is how it proves there is something on the "other side".  I don't understand it but it was real.  I have told a few people about this experience.  The most incredible feeling is, when I tell people, I tell them exactly what happened, the same was I am telling you.  I don't even care if they believe me!  When something like this happens, it doesn't matter if others believe it or not, because I KNOW it was real.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Uncertain  I was diagnosed with Lyme's Disease.  It was causing several issues with my health.

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?      I think at all times!  I don't feel anything was different really when I was in the chair and in that place.  Except the alarm feeling of something strange happening.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Normal consciousness and alertness   I really felt the same before and during, as far as consciousness goes.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   No difference that I know of at all.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   No change from what I could tell.

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?   Fear at first.  Amazement a bit later and being very curious.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   Yes   I explained above! It was a physical tunnel!

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   Pin hole in front and pale light from behind.

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?   No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No

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”)?   Yes   I just knew I had died but was alive in that place!  I felt my legs and feet.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   I remember at the beginning, thinking that I was not in the place I thought I would be when I died.  I was in darkness and alone.  I remember thinking that for a moment.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   Yes   I absolutely remembered that I was just in my chair and now I was in this place in less than a blink of an eye.  If you mean did I think I existed in another human life before, then 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?   No  

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?   No  

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?   Yes   I am not sure if this applies, but I had been searching for truth for approx. 15 years before this incident.  Truth meaning, I wanted to know who created me and why.  Is religion important or is just a relationship and obedience to God more important

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

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Didn't have a clue what happened upon death but had a certain, taught thought about it and this did not fit the bill.

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   I can still remember it like it happened a few minutes ago.  I can close my eyes and remember everything in detail, even color of panels.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I think the only real changes are that I am even more certain of life after the body.  We have some place we go.  That is for sure.

My experience directly resulted in:   Slight 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   Not sure.  Living a obedient life was important before and it has not lessened.

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?   Yes  I shared immediately with my wife.  I have told probably 6 or seven people since.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   Yes   Just heard random stories from people.  After sharing mine, I have had others tell me their own personal stories.  I think it is more common than we know.  But I think people are afraid of it or afraid of what others will think.  I don't really care what others think, I know it was real and if they don't want to believe the truth, oh well.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   It was as real as breathing.  No doubts about what happened.  It was one of the most real experiences I have ever had.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   It does NOT fade.  Neither the knowledge it happened nor the details.

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     

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes   You asked, I answered honestly.