Experience description:

In 1969 I was a child growing up in a strict Roman Catholic family.  My family life back then was full of family arguments, fights, and domestic violence on a regular basis.  By the time I was 9 years of age I was thoroughly sick of my situation and want to end my life because I was severely depressed. One night I went to bed early because I had witnessed another  serious argument between my parents and my older sibling.  By this time I was completely fed up with the situation at home and decided to end my life at some stage soon.  While thinking about ways of ending my life, I fell asleep. 

It must have been a deep sleep because the next thing I knew, I was dreaming that I standing on a footpath outside of a local Catholic Church, which is on a main road main road some 2 km from my house. It was late at night and I could see only the occasional car passing by. Besides this, everything was very quiet.  Suddenly, I had a very strong impression that I needed to enter the church.  Although the church was locked up at this time, it did not worry me at all about how I was going to get inside.  The impression that I felt was very strong, so I followed it and entered the church through the front doors. The next thing I knew was that I was standing in the center aisle of the church, looking towards the alter.  On the left-hand side I could see the confessional boxes, with the middle box where the priest sits open. I was not afraid about being there, I was more curious as to how I got there in the first place. The next thing I knew, the dream like quality of the experience lifted, and it became very REAL.

Then all of a sudden there was a very tall person dressed in monk's clothing standing next to me, to my right hand side. They were very tall, much taller than an adult, about 8 to 9 feet tall. I could not see their face at all because it was covered by the hood they wore. I was not scared of them, rather, more surprised. I got the distinct and strong impression that this person was not someone you messed with. They gave off immense power and authority. It was like if they told you to do something, you did it without question. But at the same time, they were kind and gentle, and knew everything about you. This entity held out their hand, and I took it. I was then led down the isle towards the middle confessional box that had the door open. We stepped inside, and instead of it being small and cramped, it opened up into a tunnel or passageway. The walls of this tunnel were ribbed, and gave off an emerald green glow which I also felt. It was a feeling of happiness and joy, like Christmas. Today, after all these years, when I see a similar color, I still get the same feeling.

We walked through this tunnel, and as we walked, we moved faster and faster. We eventually stopped walking and began to fly, or something similar to flying, through this tunnel. Things began to speed up, and at the same time, I was hearing a noise like the sound of cicadas singing, as well as feeling a vibration going through me, but it was speeding up too. Then everything suddenly stopped, and we were standing out in the open, on an open field next to some buildings. The place reminded me of my school, and it was like we were standing in the play ground. This place gave off a feeling like there was a huge party going on, and everyone was enjoying themselves. I even saw children flying through the air playing chasings or some sort of game. I wanted to stay so badly, and not go home. However, this tall person began to talk to me, and basically said; 'I had an important job to do, and when I am finished it, I will come back here'.

From memory, I got the feeling that a lot of other important stuff was discussed, and I have the feeling it was like a parent giving a child a pep talk after their first day at a new school. I do remember them saying that things would get better soon and to be patient.  Then I was told to go back, and was very unceremoniously pushed back into the tunnel, backwards. I felt a very unpleasant falling sensation. While falling, I heard a person call out, 'don't forget Simon!'.

I woke up the next morning feeling like I had been far away, as well as feeling happy again. As promised, things did improve, but it took a number of years. After this experience, I lost all belief in my parent's religion, eventually going my own way in my late teens. Although I am not religious, and regards myself very much an 'atheist', and nor do I follow any form of belief system, I do believe there is 'something more' to our universe. By the way, the name 'Simon' called out to me on my way back turned out to be significant. That was the name of my GP who helped through quite a number of health crises before they retired. Although this experience is not a true NDE, that is, I did not actually die, it does however have all the hallmarks of a NDE. As well.  This experience occurred back in 1969, well before there was any mention of such topics, especially for a young boy growing up in a strict Catholic environment in the 1960's. This experience has stayed with me all my life, and at times when things get tough, it's memory helps me get through things.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes  My early family life was one of constant domestic violence, fights, and arguments. By the age of 9, I was very depressed and contemplating suicide in order to end the suffering I was experiencing.

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?      Just after I entered the church in my 'dream'.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Normal consciousness and alertness   It felt just the same.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I felt things were more vivid. Things seem to move faster, without effort.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Seemed normal.

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?   Yes   I saw the late night traffic travelling along the main road. Everything was quiet other than that.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   At first I was curious, not scared. Then later I felt very happy, like being at a very big birthday party and Christmas time all rolled into one. I didn't want to leave. Felt a bit cheesed off for not being invited. Felt I knew a lot of the people who were there having fun.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   Yes   It was a tunnel that twisted and turned. It was ribbed, and had a wonderful emerald green glow. Like something out of the movie 'The Wizard of Oz'. Every time I see that color, I get that same feeling. Even after over 50 years.

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   There was light everywhere, yet it did not have a source, like sunlight has.

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
The entity I met was very tall, about 8-9 feet tall. Dressed like a medieval monk. I could not see their face. They gave off a presence of complete authority, yet they were very kind and understanding.

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?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
It was a place very much like the playground of my school, with similar buildings. It was like a huge party was going on. Everyone was happy and having fun. I could feel it.

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”)?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   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?   Yes   I was told I had a very important job to do. Sort of when you're told to take the garbage can out. You have to do it, it's not fun, but the sooner you do it, the sooner you'll be back.

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?   No  

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   It was like I was being given a pep talk. The sort you'd give a child on their first day at a new school. You know they're upset being their, but things will ok. You just got to give it time.

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 as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the ex  

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   This experience has stayed with me all my life. I was 9 years old when it happened. I am now almost 61 years old.

My experience directly resulted in:   Large 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?   Yes   I stopped being religious.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Uncertain   I've had a few 'interesting' experiences during my life.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     All of it was significant.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   No 

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 probably real   I couldn't come to terms that it felt real. I was just a 9 year old kid.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   There is more to reality than what we experience.

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

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   I don't believe in any form other religion or belief system.   No

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?      I think I have said all.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   Yes

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes. It covered most of it.   I'd like to see the stats on NDE's. I am a scientist/psychologist, semiretired. From my own private study on the subject, it appears one does not have to 'die' to have these experiences. These are NEAR Death, not Death experiences. In my case, I was in a bad place when I was young, and was given a bit of a pep talk to help get me over that time of my life.