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Title: What heaven's really like-by a leading brain surgeon who says he's been there: Read his testimony before you scoff...it might just shake your beliefs
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URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet ... ake-beliefs.html#ixzz3GSNqG22w
Published: Oct 18, 2014
Author: Dr. Eben Alexander
Post Date: 2014-10-18 08:56:00 by out damned spot
Keywords: Heaven, testimony, NDE
Views: 7877
Comments: 21
When I was a small boy, I was adopted. I grew up remembering nothing of my birth family and unaware that I had a biological sister, named Betsy. Many years later, I went in search of my biological family, but for Betsy it was too late: she had died. This is the story of how I was reunited with her — in Heaven. Before I start, I should explain that I am a scientist, who has spent a lifetime studying the workings of the brain. My adoptive father was a neurosurgeon and I followed his path, becoming an neurosurgeon myself and an academic who taught brain science at Harvard Medical School. Although nominally a Christian, I was sceptical when patients described spiritual experiences to me. My knowledge of the brain made me quite sure that out-of-body experiences, angelic encounters and the like were hallucinations, brought on when the brain suffered a trauma. And then, in the most dramatic circumstances possible, I discovered proof that I was wrong. Six years ago, I woke up one morning with a searing headache. Within a few hours, I went into a coma: my neocortex, the part of the brain that handles all the thought processes making us human, had shut down completely. At the time, I was working at Lynchburg General Hospital in Virginia, and I was rushed to the emergency room there. The doctors ascertained that I had contracted meningitis — a rare bacterial strain of E coli was in my spinal fluid and eating into my brain like acid. My survival chances were near zero. I was in deep coma, a vegetative state, and all the higher functions of my brain were offline. Scans showed no conscious activity whatever — my brain was not malfunctioning, it was completely unplugged. But my inner self still existed, in defiance of all the known laws of science. For seven days, as I lay in that unresponsive coma, my consciousness went on a voyage through a series of realms, each one more extraordinary than the last — a journey beyond the physical world and one that, until then, I would certainly have dismissed as impossible. For thousands of years, ordinary people as well as shamans and mystics have described brief, wonderful glimpses of ethereal realms. I’m not the first person to have discovered that consciousness exists beyond the body. What is unique in my case is that I am, as far as scientific records show, the only person to have travelled to this heavenly dimension with the cortex in complete shut-down, while under minute observation throughout. There are medical records for every minute of my coma, and none of them show any indication of brain activity. In other words, as far as neuroscience can say, my journey was not something happening inside my head. Plenty of scientists have a lot of difficulty with this statement. My experience undermines their whole belief system. But the one place I have found ready acceptance is in church, where my story often tallies with people’s expectations. My knowledge of the brain made me quite sure that out-of-body experiences, angelic encounters and the like were hallucinations, brought on when the brain suffered a trauma Even the deep notes of the church organ and the glorious colours of the stained glass seem to echo faintly the sights and sounds of Heaven. Here, then, is what I experienced: my map of Heaven. After the blinding headache, when I had slipped into the coma, I gradually became aware of being in a primitive, primordial state that felt like being buried in earth. It was, however, not ordinary earth, for all around me I sensed, and sometimes heard and saw, other entities. It was partly horrific, partly comforting and familiar: I felt like I had always been part of this primal murk. I am often asked, ‘Was this hell?’ but I don’t think it was — I would expect hell to be at least a little bit interactive, and this was a completely passive experience. I had forgotten what it was even to be human, but one important part of my personality was still hard at work: I had a sense of curiosity. I would ask, ‘Who? What? Where?’ and there was never a flicker of response. After an expanse of time had passed, though I can’t begin to guess how long, a light came slowly down from above, throwing off marvellous filaments of living silver and golden effulgence. It was a circular entity, emitting a beautiful, heavenly music that I called the Spinning Melody. The light opened up like a rip in the fabric of that coarse realm, and I felt myself going through the rip, up into a valley full of lush and fertile greenery, where waterfalls flowed into crystal pools. There were clouds, like marshmallow puffs of pink and white. Behind them, the sky was a rich blue-black. This world was not vague. It was deeply, piercingly alive, and as vivid as the aroma of fried chicken, as dazzling as the glint of sunlight off the metalwork of a car, and as startling as the impact of first love. I know perfectly well how crazy my account sounds, and I sympathise with those who cannot accept it. Like a lot of things in life, it sounds pretty far-fetched till you experience it yourself. Despite scans showing his brain was not functioning, Dr Alexander had a vivid experience There were trees, fields, animals and people. There was water, too, flowing in rivers or descending as rain. Mists rose from the pulsing surfaces of these waters, and fish glided beneath them. Like the earth, the water was deeply familiar. It was as though all the most beautiful waterscapes I ever saw on earth had been beautiful precisely because they were reminding me of this living water. My gaze wanted to travel into it, deeper and deeper. This water seemed higher, and more pure than anything I had experienced before, as if it was somehow closer to the original source. I had stood and admired oceans and rivers across America, from Carolina beaches to west coast streams, but suddenly they all seemed to be lesser versions, little brothers and sisters of this living water. That’s not to denigrate the seas and lakes and thunderstorms that I’ve marvelled at throughout my life. It is simply to say that I now see all the earth’s waters in a new perspective, just as I see all natural beauties in a new way. In Heaven, everything is more real — less dense, yet at the same time more intense. Heaven is as vast, various and populated as earth is ... in fact, infinitely more so. But in all this vast variety, there is not that sense of otherness that characterises our world, where each thing is alone by itself and has nothing directly to do with the other things around it. Nothing is isolated in Heaven. Nothing is alienated. Nothing is disconnected. Everything is one. I found myself as a speck of awareness on a butterfly wing, among pulsing swarms of millions of other butterflies. I witnessed stunning blue-black velvety skies filled with swooping orbs of golden light, angelic choirs leaving sparkling trails against the billowing clouds. Those choirs produced hymns and anthems far beyond anything I had ever encountered on earth. The sound was colossal: an echoing chant that seemed to soak me without making me wet. All my senses had blended. Seeing and hearing were not separate functions. It was as if I could hear the grace and elegance of the airborne creatures, and see the spectacular music that burst out of them. Even before I began to wonder who or what they were, I understood that they made the music because they could not contain it. It was the sound of sheer joy. They could no more hold it in than you could fill your lungs and never breathe out. From then on, I was back in the old, earthly world I’d left behind before my coma struck, but as a genuinely new person.I had been reborn. Simply to experience the music was to join in with it. That was the oneness of Heaven — to hear a sound was to be part of it. Everything was connected to everything else, like the infinitely complex swirls on a Persian carpet or a butterfly’s wing. And I was flying on that carpet, riding on that wing. Above the sky, there was a vast array of larger universes that I came to call an ‘over-sphere’, and I ascended until I reached the Core, that deepest sanctuary of the Divine — infinite inky blackness, filled to overflowing with indescribable, unconditional love. There I encountered the infinitely powerful, all-knowing deity whom I later called Om, because of the sound that vibrated through that realm. I learned lessons there of a depth and beauty entirely beyond my capacity to explain. During this voyage, I had a guide. She was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who first appeared as I rode, as that speck of awareness, on the wing of that butterfly. I’d never seen this woman before. I didn’t know who she was. Yet her presence was enough to heal my heart, to make me whole in a way I’d never known was possible. Her face was unforgettable. Her eyes were deep blue, and her cheekbones were high. Her face was surrounded by a frame of honey-brown hair. She wore a smock, like a peasant’s, woven from sheer colour — indigo, powder-blue and pastel shades of orange and peach. When she looked at me, I felt such an abundance of emotion that, if nothing good had ever happened to me before, the whole of my life would have been worth living for that expression in her eyes alone. It was not romantic love. It was not friendship. It was far beyond all the different compartments of love we have on earth. Without actually speaking, she let me know that I was loved and cared for beyond measure and that the universe was a vaster, better, and more beautiful place than I could ever have dreamed. I was an irreplaceable part of the whole (like all of us), and all the sadness and fear I had ever suffered was a result of my somehow having forgotten this most central of facts. Her message went through me like a breath of wind. It’s hard to put it into words, but the essence was this: ‘You are loved and cherished, dearly, for ever. You have nothing to fear. There is nothing you can do wrong.’ It was, then, an utterly wonderful experience. Meanwhile, back on Earth, I had been in my coma for seven days and showing no signs of improvement. The doctors were just deciding whether to continue with life support, when I suddenly regained consciousness. My eyes just popped open, and I was back. I had no memories of my earthly life, but knew full well where I had been. I had to relearn everything: who, what, and where I was. Over days, then weeks, like a gently falling snow, my old, earthly knowledge came back. Words and language returned within hours and days. With the love and gentle coaxing of my family and friends, other memories emerged. By eight weeks, my prior knowledge of science, including the experiences and learning from more than two decades spent as a neurosurgeon in teaching hospitals, returned completely. That full recovery remains a miracle without any explanation from modern medicine. But I was a different person from the one I had been. The things I had seen and experienced while gone from my body did not fade away, as dreams and hallucinations do. They stayed. Above all, that image of the woman on the butterfly wing haunted me. And then, four months after coming out of my coma, I received a picture in the mail. As a result of my earlier investigations to make contact with my biological family, a relative had sent me a photograph of my sister Betsy — the sister I’d never known. The shock of recognition was total. This was the face of the woman on the butterfly wing. The moment I realised this, something crystallised inside me. That photo was the confirmation that I’d needed. This was proof, beyond reproach, of the objective reality of my experience. From then on, I was back in the old, earthly world I’d left behind before my coma struck, but as a genuinely new person. I had been reborn. And as I shall reveal on Monday, I am by no means the only one to have glimpsed the afterlife — and the wonders it holds.
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#1. To: All (#0)
The video seems to have disappeared. The link doesn't work either. Click on the URL to see it.
I can see the video just fine.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
There are medical records for every minute of my coma, and none of them show any indication of brain activity. In other words, as far as neuroscience can say, my journey was not something happening inside my head. An experience that occurred simply because "inside" our head -- our "Brain" -- has NOTHING to do with the the essence of or mind, our "Spirit" which dwells outside the physical. Note that science observed the cortex in complete shut-down mode. Ergo, Science is proven wrong again in that it is incapable of measuring the meta-physical (which DOES exist.) Pretty amazing story and descriptions. Even this transcend man's ability to describe ALL the senses in the definitively vivid-to-nth-degree -- as in God's Heaven. This world -- if I were to describe it simply -- would be a very staticky, muted 1940s black & white version TV of perception; Heaven, in 5-D surround-sound never-seen-before color. OTHER SENSES ADDED. Moreover, this man said he sensed a "love and cared far beyond measure" -- he hadn't even gotten to the absolute fulfillment and joy of meeting God yet.
The account is completely consistent with the findings of author Michael Newton, in his books in which he did case studies of accounts his clients gave while under hypnosis. An erroneous assumption made by scientists is that we are purely bio-chemical entities. Even religions erroneously assume we are primarily bio-chemical entities with souls being a minor, secondary attribute created as a consequence of conception. That is not the case, according to Newton. We are primarily souls, which defines our primary identity, created outside this universe and therefore not subject to the laws of this universe. Our physical bodies define only our secondary, temporary identity. With this model, everything, including accounts of Near Death Experiences like the one above, fall into place quite nicely both scientifically and theologically.
This story is much like other stories I have read about people going to Heaven and returning to Earth. The truth about Heaven and Hell in these stories is no one can do anything wrong and everyone goes to Heaven. Sorry to rain on this parade but it is nonsense. If anyone wants to learn about Heaven and Hell, it can be found in the Holy Bible, not in dreams or near-death experiences. Satan is the Grand Deceiver and He doesn't want anyone to know the truth.
Good comment. People are deceived into thinking that their body and brain are existence. They are not.
I don't think they get to see the whole truth while there. They probably could not survive the total impact, thus they get to see a portion. There are many examples of people whose experience was of hell. https://www.google.com/#q=nde+hell I particularly like the story of the abortionist doctor who saw the terrible conditions in hell. My husband had a NDE. His was very limited in that he only saw a being. He was up on the ceiling looking down on his body. He said that he was surprised because his body looked like "garbage," his word for it. Then he became aware of a being beside him. The being asked him if he wanted to go or stay. My husband said that he didn't know. Then he saw me sitting on our bed. He said you were in deep distress. He said that I pointed directly at him and said, "Don't you leave me, Norman!" So he said to the being, I guess I had better stay. The thing of it is, that is exactly what I had done! I was alone in the house, sitting on the bed trying to pray. That was what had come out of my mouth exactly. He had 4 lung embolisms and was in hospice. They didn't expect him to live thru the weekend. He had another miracle later on, but I'll just comment about his NDE.
The first video? I can't see it and it says, sorry this no longer exists, etc. I can see the vid of the child. I wonder what is up with that.
I can't see it now either?????? I do know that sometimes when you try to post videos from different sites on the same post it just doesn't work right, don't know why just know that it happens.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
That is not the case, according to Newton. Great observations and points. And yes, even religions succumb to some of Junk Science's assertion -- that we basically are "bio-chemical entities" ("with souls a minor, secondary attribute...") We are primarily souls, which defines our primary identity, created outside this universe and therefore not subject to the laws of this universe. Our physical bodies define only our secondary, temporary identity. Buttoned up quite nicely. The ivory tower of the Junk Science Cult can never square this up; It smashes their religion to bits (which is why THEY in turn have for over 100 years been trying to quash the concept of God, the Afterlife, and Accountability to bits.)
Though I found fascinating this out of body description of "Heaven" -- and always do -- but I'm just as cynical as you and always wary of these stories. Especially when the Lord or Jesus are not mentioned. And that yes -- the message to most of these stories is that EVERYBODY winds up in Heaven. A absolute Lie and all too often I agree this is the case: DECEPTION OF SATAN. The by-product of such vivid stories and experiences may also be a used by the Lord as a catalyst to faith; TRUE faith. The butterfly-woman "Guide"...hmmm....
I consider it vital that one's search for truth needs to include the component of being able to reasonably explain all observations. For example, if one honestly believes the earth is flat, he must be able to reasonably explain why someone sailing around it doesn't fall off. As long as the explanation is reasonable, then he is an honest believer. So if there are numerous accounts about NDE's that don't appear to mesh with one's theology, then an honest believer should be able to adequately explain why such incompatible NDE accounts exist. I can understand writing off individual accounts as hullucination or whatever, but if there are so many that are so compatible, to me that's not so easily done. If you want to say Satan is behind these NDE's then, well, okay. But in my personal search, I've arrived at a point where these NDE's, including out damned spot's account as reported by her husband, make complete sense. The way I see things now, just about everything falls into place like a completed jigsaw puzzle. Life has a real, practical purpose, and it's extremely likely that everyone we've ever known and loved is still alive, and always will be. Best...
In my post, I talked about Satan and his willingness to deceive people. That is my belief. I also believe the Holy Bible and that Heaven and Hell exist. Not everyone will be in Heaven. If a person doesn't believe in the scriptures and that there is an afterlife apart from biblical teachings so be it.
I have visions sometimes. I can only say that earthly words just can't describe what I'm seeing. I'm wondering if some of what might be considered inconsistencies might be part of that struggle to interpret for people so they might be able to understand? I also wonder if some of them end up back in the flesh so to speak, and allow some satanic interpretations to seep in. There is one man, I can't remember his name, but what he was saying was directly opposite scripture. Gary something...
That's a very common statement among those who try to describe how wonderful a glimpse of our real home is.
The last days are perilous times. There is much deceit to fool people.
Agree. What "justice" is there if EVERYONE -- regardless of evil here on earth -- went to "Heaven"? Of course that is just a lie that reinforces a moral relativity that not only is there no "right or wrong," but also a God who cares not about eternal justice, reward or faith. It also makes abiding in the validity and truth of a His laws and promises irrelevant.
Deceit that is running rampant. Along with narcissism and selling one's soul. CHEAPLY.
I also wonder if some of them end up back in the flesh so to speak, and allow some satanic interpretations to seep in. Does there seem to be a theme to your visions? What ARE you "seeing"? Is your faith challenged in any subtle way? Or reinforced? Hard to gauge.
The thing of it is, that is exactly what I had done! I was alone in the house, sitting on the bed trying to pray. That was what had come out of my mouth exactly. Wow...what a trip. All of it. Well, it could certainly be said that even in "unconscious state" that we do possess some measure of "consciousness." "Science" can not nor will ever explain this phenomena or any spiritual activity.
Satan is very powerful. He was created that way by God. Satan has supernatural powers, and he is using them to work evil in this world. Those powers will become move evident as the last days continue toward the end when Christ returns to claim Hia Kingdom.
#2. To: out damned spot (#1)
#3. To: out damned spot (#0)
What is unique in my case is thatI am, as far as scientific records show, the only person to have travelled to this heavenly dimension with the cortex in complete shut-down, while under minute observation throughout.
#4. To: Liberator, out damned spot (#3)
#5. To: out damned spot (#0)
#6. To: Pinguinite (#4)
We are primarily souls, which defines our primary identity, created outside this universe and therefore not subject to the laws of this universe. Our physical bodies define only our secondary, temporary identity. With this model, everything, including accounts of Near Death Experiences like the one above, fall into place quite nicely both scientifically and theologically.
#7. To: Don (#5)
#8. To: CZ82 (#2)
#9. To: out damned spot (#8)
#10. To: Pinguinite, out damned spot (#4)
An erroneous assumption made by scientists is that we are purely bio-chemical entities. Even religions erroneously assume we are primarily bio-chemical entities with souls being a minor, secondary attribute created as a consequence of conception.
#11. To: Don (#5)
This story is much like other stories I have read about people going to Heaven and returning to Earth. The truth about Heaven and Hell in these stories is no one can do anything wrong and everyone goes to Heaven. Sorry to rain on this parade but it is nonsense.
#12. To: Don, out damned spot (#5)
The truth about Heaven and Hell in these stories is no one can do anything wrong and everyone goes to Heaven. Sorry to rain on this parade but it is nonsense. If anyone wants to learn about Heaven and Hell, it can be found in the Holy Bible, not in dreams or near-death experiences. Satan is the Grand Deceiver and He doesn't want anyone to know the truth.
#13. To: Pinguinite (#12)
#14. To: Pinguinite, Don, Liberator (#12)
(Edited)
#15. To: out damned spot (#14)
I can only say that earthly words just can't describe what I'm seeing.
#16. To: Liberator (#11)
#17. To: Don, Pinguinite (#13)
I also believe the Holy Bible and that Heaven and Hell exist. Not everyone will be in Heaven.
#18. To: Don (#16)
The last days are perilous times. There is much deceit to fool people.
#19. To: out damned spot (#14)
I have visions sometimes. I can only say that earthly words just can't describe what I'm seeing. I'm wondering if some of what might be considered inconsistencies might be part of that struggle to interpret for people so they might be able to understand?
#20. To: out damned spot (#7)
He saw me sitting on our bed. He said you were in deep distress. He said that I pointed directly at him and said, "Don't you leave me, Norman!" So he said to the being, I guess I had better stay.
#21. To: Liberator (#20)
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