The following is a theoretical model for the evolution of consciousness as reflected in the development of the holochakra, otherwise known as the energosoma; a term referring to the network of chakras constituting the individual’s energetic body. Here, I draw comparisons between the widely accepted materialist theory concerning the evolution of species (i.e. Darwinian) and the less accepted multidimensional account concerning the evolution of individual consciousnesses (i.e. Conscientiological). I argue that both evolutionary processes co-occur in parallel and dynamically interact thus culminating in physical forms (i.e. bodies) that are suitably adapted not only for their respective environments but to the individual consciousnesses that inhabit them. Likewise, I review each of the primary chakras of the energosoma in terms of its respective function, physiological correlates, and possible species-level phylogenic correspondences. Lastly, I propose that the chakras exist as preeminent energies which drive the physical evolutionary process. As it pertains to rites of passage, I argue that a consciousness evolves serially across multiple lifetimes embodying varying physical forms in progression from rudimentary single-celled organisms to advanced human body types. The chakras, therefore, represent stages of development along this evolutionary trajectory.

We are all connected to each other through our soul, or consciousness. Join New York Times best-selling author of Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven, Eben Alexander MD, on an exploration of life and consciousness. Spiritually transformative experiences are quite common, and science is waking up to this reality. Consciousness is, in fact, primary to all existence in this universe, and this knowledge can help each of us in our soul’s journey. The answers lie within us all. It is vital to go deep into your own consciousness, in order to come closer to realizing the truth of your existence. It is not necessary to have a near-death experience to tap into this knowledge, it can be internally cultivated. Those who have had NDEs, can nurture their relationship to the spiritual world through meditation, allowing them to revisit the realms of their near-death experience.

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While most people in the Western World have belief systems steeped in a materialistic paradigm, those views are not universally held. Those individuals having had NDEs often must reconcile the spiritual aspects of their experience with their prior beliefs as well as the expectations of others not privy to that knowledge. In the West, if considered at all, spirits and reality are thought to be separate and distinct venues. That, however, is not the case in many other areas of the world. This presentation will provide firsthand evidence from ceremonies in countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America where beliefs in the reality of a spirit world are just as accepted as that of the material reality. Included will be rarely seen firsthand video of events that defy the known laws of physics as they undergo the rites of passage not well understood in modern societies and are enigmas to science. In the West, even after decades of publicity by IANDS and similar organizations, NDEs are too often greeted with skepticism. The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate in other societies the belief in continuation of consciousness beyond death is commonly accepted and their experiences would be seen as quite normal by their standards.

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ADCs, or after death communications can aid in making life transitions. Loved ones can make contact in an effort to warn of impending danger, to comfort those they have left behind, and to let survivors know they are doing well. It takes tremendous energy for the deceased to come through. It’s inevitably a sign of the deepest love and concern for their loved ones. They want to make sure we are safe. They want to make sure we are protected, and they want to make sure we are loved.

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Do animals have an afterlife? Some people know the answer to that question is “Yes!” because they met animals during their NDE or out-of-body experiences. Around the world people are realizing that animals are Souls too—spiritual beings who survive death, can meet with us in the afterlife, and may return to this world to continue their spiritual growth and give service. So how does exploring our special relationship with animals uplift us to greater wisdom, compassion, and transformation? Is it possible that animals play a significant role in the spiritual evolution of humanity? Author Linda Anderson will share fascinating stories of alternate realities with dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife to show how animals can bring healing, upliftment, and spiritual transformation. Come share your own experiences with animals and learn how they help us accept blessings that occur before, during, and after NDEs and otherworldly experiences.

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Based on her book, Dying to Know You: Proof of God in the Near-Death Experience, this talk by acclaimed author P.M.H. Atwater is dedicated to the collective voice, the sum of the many. It covers over three decades of listening and keeping notes as nearly 4,000 experiencers shared what they saw. Yes, personal stories are wonderful, but the real “thunder” comes from those children and adults who surprise us with the richness of their vision and the truth of what they encountered at the very “heart” of their near-death or near-death-like experience. P.M.H. will also share experiencer drawings, a show-case of what experiencers remembered when they died.

An international authority on near-death states, P.M.H. uses the culmination of her research to establish that the near-death phenomenon is not some kind of anomaly, but is rather part of the larger genre of transformations of consciousness. She combines her 33 years of near-death research with experiencing, experimenting with, and researching altered states of consciousness, mysticism, psychic phenomena, and the transformational process, to reveal what transformations of consciousness really are, why we have them, and where they lead us. Author of The Big Book of Near Death Experiences and many more.

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Although the near-death phenomenon is usually tossed aside by parents as so much nonsense, there’s no denying the aftereffects, which can include changes in brain patterning and nerve response, as well as having a more abstract concept of the world and of God. This tends to set them apart from siblings and other kids. Child experiencers are unable to “connect the dots” between their otherworldly episode and why they feel as they do. It’s as if they bond to the Other Side, not this one. Learning about near-death experiences and what is typical for children can be a lifesaver not only for families, but for the kids themselves. There are markers, general guidelines, to use that may prove helpful in identifying and working with such children.

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Evolution of Life Perspectives Resulting From an NDE: Before John’s NDE in 1996, he sought greater awareness through studies of world famous gurus, reading, and accessing local interest groups and worked with distressed clients using current psychological approaches. His NDE during comatose state resulted in major life changes both personally and in relationship for himself and wife, Patricia, who helped people with nutritional challenges and life changes promoting natural healing. They have now advanced from traditional methods of healing, teaching the power of the self as a healing resource, utilizing energy as fields in which new constructs can form with appropriate intent for massive transformation. They have stepped into a vast perspective of potentials of awareness and healing and found many useful biofeedback tools to assist in brainwave balancing and returning the body to homeostasis. John experienced awareness similar to enlightenment* during his unconscious state. His experiences included perceived visiting the inner lives of many, and traveling from the depth of the ocean to outer space as well as living inside of a cell. While recuperating in a wheel chair John mentally visited places he saw outside in nature as well as several other “selves” about the world; sometimes in extreme emotional states. After coma, John re-learned many physical functions and on-going brain reprogramming continues today, as well as rebuilding of relationships.

Transforming Lessons of the NDE for non-NDErs: opening minds, hearts and paths to spirituality: We don’t need to have an NDE to appreciate the profound life lessons they reveal. When exposed to NDE research and the personal NDE stories some “non-near death experiencers” are compelled to share their own unique spiritual experiences they have rarely, if ever, discussed before. The topic can also lead to a new openness to spirituality based on living without fear, living with purpose, and the true nature of consciousness. Bo Billups, a non-NDEr himself, was motivated by NDE research to start a death & dying study/support group at his church, moderate NDE book discussions and search for a faith community that more fully reflected the lessons of the NDE. He’ll share that process as well as the responses he’s observed from many other non-NDErs.

Multicultural Counselor Education: Counseling Clients with NDEs and Other Spiritually Transformative Experiences: Counseling clients who present with NDEs and other extraordinary spiritual experiences can be a challenge for any counselor, especially a beginning counselor. These extraordinary experiences, also called transpersonal experiences, are spiritual experiences that, in some way involve transcendence of the usual personal limits of time, space and/or identity – and that hold the potential for spiritual development and/or transformation. Studies show clients often have negative experiences when disclosing their transpersonal experiences to mental health professionals. Furthermore, although such experiences may be disparaged in some Western cultures, transpersonal experiences are valued in many non-Western cultures. Counselors who dismiss or diagnose such experiences risk being culturally insensitive and therapeutically harmful. Additionally, the client loses a potentially important opportunity for growth. Instead, counselors could assist clients to facilitate and honor such an extraordinary experience as a “rite of passage.” This presenter will discuss using Holden’s near-death experiences training model when counseling clients presenting with a variety of transpersonal experiences. The presenter will discuss the importance of including transpersonal training in counselor supervision to ensure counselors are able to meet the needs of clients with transpersonal experiences, including NDEs. The presenter will describe a method for including spiritually transformative experiences in a multicultural counseling class.

Discussion group on NDEs and military issues.

Here is a good news presentation about distressing NDEs as significant transitions in life. Both for individuals and for cultures, distressing experiences often lead to transformation, healing, insight, and wisdom. Can genuine spiritual health be measured against an encounter with fear and despair? The bizarre entities that bring about dismemberment or obliteration—how can that be good? And anyway, nobody believes in hell any more. Who wants to hear about such things? Surprise. Quite a lot of people say they have to stop hiding from these realities so they can begin their true spiritual journey, discovering they can release the grip of old terrors on their lives. They can reframe their understanding so that growth becomes possible. As awareness of Post Traumatic Growth increases, more people recognize that rites of passage are inherent in distressing situations (including NDEs), making themselves felt both by the individuals who have the experience and by sympathetic agencies coming to realize that the spiritual environment has many climates. What a gift, to know that a distressing NDE is not the end of the spiritual life but an invitation to one that can be even deeper!

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For those who have experienced the inner worlds, we know there is a longing to be able to remain in that enlightened state—to function knowingly in concert with the Divine and experience that transformative power. We can evolve and grow from that awareness into powerful beings of love and fulfill our highest purpose in this lifetime. To remain in this enlightened state we must have access to the inner planes and allow ourselves to bathe in that consciousness—and change our own vibrations. There are powerful techniques that make it possible to continually discover alternate realities, gain deeper insights and wisdom, and live with a new and evolving enlightened state. In this presentation, we learn about the calm and untroubled state of mind; the ease necessary to access our own greatest potential; and the childlike state of surrender. We will discover how to regain the reality of the inner spiritual worlds and apply that awareness to everyday life. Sharing powerful and effective techniques to enhance and maintain a high state of consciousness, the author gives direct insight into how we can gain the transformative healing, insight and wisdom of the inner worlds. We learn to face daily challenges with grace and to tap into our full creative & spiritual potential.

Near Death Experiences may be misunderstood by many people, in particular, those who have never experienced them. It may be difficult to grasp the reality of the experience. While attending the 2014 IANDS Conference, I met two of the plenary speakers. Their stories were intriguing and enlightening, as I had not heard personal stories of near death experiences prior to the conference. I have reflected on the stories and see changes in my own life; primarily ways of thinking and seeing. My perspectives of faith, trust, and love have changed in a deeper more meaningful way.

When people dying slowly of a terminal illness are approaching death, they too, have remarkable experiences and seem to develop an expanded awareness. This is called Nearing-Death Awareness (NDA) and these experiences bear distinct parallel to NDEs. They occur, however, without warning and without disruption of vital signs or other medical crisis. In fact, dying people seem to e able to drift from this reality into another and back with relative ease. Their attempts to share the wonders of these experiences by words or behavior are often thwarted by our lack of understanding of the symbolic language they use. Observers are quick to label this communication as “confused” and, therefore, discount it. Once caregivers have the tools for understanding and participating in this communication, they afford the unique and exciting opportunity to actually participate in these glimpses beyond while they are actually happening. In this regard the NDE and NDA differ dramatically.

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People in a sudden state of clinical compromise, marked by disruption of all signs of life, often report a remarkable experience known as NDE or Near Death Experience. These experiences are only shared after medical intervention or CPR brings the experiencer back to life. These are the messages of those who have died quickly and have returned to teach us what it is like. When people dying slowly of a terminal illness are approaching death, they too often have remarkable experiences, as well as an expanded awareness. This is called NDA or Nearing Death Awareness. These are the messages from those who are dying slowly. They teach us while they are dying because they can’t come back. Although the NDE and the NDA have many similar characteristics, there are profound differences. Understanding the differences and learning how to interact with the dying can help us identify and participate in the NDA while it is actually happening. This information is of vital importance for all critical care clinicians and for all – professional or lay persons who care for, or are close to someone who has had an NDE or to a dying person experiencing an NDA . Whether the dying is fast or slow. These are remarkable messages of peace, comfort and hope that can change our lives..

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Diane Corcoran, RN, PhD, and Debbie James, RN, PhD, will present an introductory lecture for those people who are new to the Near-Death Experience (NDE) field. She will present the basic information on NDEs, including the incidence of NDEs, the main features of NDEs, and the typical after-effects of NDEs. She has been involved in teaching healthcare professionals about NDEs for over forty years. Dr. Corcoran is a retired Colonel in the Army Nurse Corps. She has served as past President and is the current President of IANDS.

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LGBT Transformational Rites of Passage in the NDE: LGBT near-death experiences (NDE’s) are excellent examples of transformational rites of passage. With separation from the body and everyday life, the NDEr finds him/herself in an altered reality with a disconnect from what is customary. This connection is frequently in concert with connections to the Divine. This process results in personal transformation and change. In this presentation, the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender NDE stories from Liz Dale’s book Crossing Over and Coming Home and other unpublished writings will be used to address the concept of rites of passage. The NDE offers me experiencer transformations that would otherwise not be experienced in everyday reality. During and long after the NDE, the experiencer (and others they come in contact with) notices a new and unique way to relate to the world. This change is fully transformational and lasting.

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There is a clear correlation between NDE, transformative spiritual events and alternative realities. Any objective observer can see this thread. These experiencers are happening to people who least expect it, they speak of multi-dimensional perception and how the experience changed their worldview. By bringing dimensionality into the dynamic of the experience, science can begin to build a foundation for more quantifiable exploration and explanation. This information can be assembled and formatted into a simplified cross-cultural linguistic structure for better assimilation by all people and scientists alike, from all global walks of life.

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Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP) The Mission of Vet TRIIP is to honor and empower veterans and service members; their families and caregivers; and service providers living with Post-Traumatic Stress, chronic pain and related symptoms to create healthy, happy, and productive civilian lives. The Vet TRIIP program provides new information, teaches new skills and demonstrates a wide range of modalities which can be used to achieve this goal by promoting stress resilience, gentle relaxation, more comfort and better sleep. The Vet TRIIP Program includes the following: Integrative Immersion Process (IIP) Sessions, Stage 2 Training Sessions, STRESS Resilience and Relaxation Training (STRESS R&R), Stage 3 Healthy Lifestyle Classes, and Coordinated Counseling.

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My NDE like experience in 1974 changed my life. Shortly after my experience I felt the strong internal pull to hitch hike to Alaska because the world seemed so vast there and so small where I was. Several “sacred stories” of my life occurred en-route and have been continuing for over 40 years. The meaning of these stories continue to evolve as my consciousness evolves. Doors of opportunity began to open and if one door closed it seemed it was just to let another open. This process is continuing today. In the 60 minute presentation I will discuss 3 different “rites of passage” that happened over the years since my experience; entry into a nursing career, both RN and FNP, an exceptionally blessed, 20 year, Alaska tribal health care experience and a currently opening passageway into “cooperative living”. The talk will include how NDE helped shape my “passage” into healing, health care system leadership and my current work towards becoming an elder.

Having a near death experience is like reprogramming a computer; a total rewiring of the essence of who you are. Being rebooted with this new programing means the internal direction manual for you has also been rewritten. Suddenly you find the inner side of who you are seems to call in more ways and strengths than does the outer world. What does it all mean, what is the new normal to be pursued, and should we spend the rest of our lives trying to process it? The near death experience is a passage to an expanded consciousness. It empowers us to recognize who we truly are and the dynamic Spirit that resides within while connecting each and every one of us through the invisible wiring of universal and unconditional Love. How then can an NDE NOT change us? How can it NOT take us to uncharted territory both inside and out? We are back, our personal world may be the same, but we are not……NOW What?

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Presentation of I AM the EMANATION Spirit Box installation as a result of several phenomena of NDE’s that led me to significant transitions in my life’s purpose. From the age of twelve (I am currently 61) my life’s prayer has been…Dear God, bring through me whatever is necessary from the other side with the abilities and talent that I have been given to be of service to humanities’ evolution. As a result of these firm beliefs and convictions I have been gifted with several beautiful and amazing visual consciousness experiences, both open eyed and lucid, with an heightened awareness. The presentation comprises of a lecture on these experiences and the investigative creative work that led me to these spiritual experiences referencing consciousness, reincarnation and affirmations through the Spirit Box experience. The Spirit Box is a physical device made of Plexiglas and photography measuring 76”high x 30”wide x 3”deep. I then project audio and video of effervescent and ethereal colors streaming from a center point onto and into the Spirit Box. The effect is an open eyed visual meditation and mesmerizing experience which provides one the opportunity to connect with their higher self and their Rite of Passage.

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During nearly four decades of research on near-death experiences (NDEs), Iranian Shiite NDEs have been infrequently reported. Though an early researcher concluded that Muslim NDEs appeared to be rare, later authors concluded they may be common and that their key features may not be very different from those of Western NDEs. The purpose of this study was to further explore NDEs among Iranians, specifically Shiite Muslims. In this study, 33 participants who had survived a close brush with death completed online a demographic questionnaire and a Persian translation of the NDE Scale (Greyson, 1983). Of these participants, 20 (61%) scored 7 or higher on the Persian NDE Scale, indicating the presence of an NDE. Eight prominent features of Western NDEs were present in our participants’ NDEs, and, like Western NDErs, our participants often reported profoundly positive changes in attitudes, values, and spiritual beliefs following their NDEs. Our results showed that NDEs are not rare among Shiite Muslims and may not be particularly different in their main elements from typical Western NDEs.

In this presentation, I compare research findings on near-death experiences (NDEs) to conceptualizations of the process of dying from Islamic theology and philosophy. There are three Islamic criteria for the reality of mystical experiences, including passages from the Quran, sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and sayings and books of Infallible Imams. I focus in particular on the accordance of 10 of the most widely reported NDE features with Quran verses about the dying process. My assessment revealed one feature inconsistent with the Quran, three features not mentioned in the Quran, and six features directly or indirectly referenced in the Quran. I discuss the implications of these findings for Islamic NDErs and for rapprochement between near-death researchers and Islamic theologians and believers.

The primary goal of an evidential medium is to validate the continuity of consciousness beyond the death of the physical body. The eternality of the soul cannot yet be proven using our current technology. However, applying the same standards used by our system of justice, we can come as close to proof as possible. Evidential medium Suzanne Giesemann will discuss how providing the preponderance of evidence can change belief systems, opening minds and hearts to a far greater reality. Suzanne will share stunning and emotional evidence received from beyond the physical domain which has been validated using scientific methods but which speaks directly to the soul. She will reveal the keys to receiving verifiable evidence of the existence of the unseen world with the goal of raising the standards and credibility of trans-dimensional communication.

Suzanne Giesemann is the author of eleven books, a metaphysical teacher, and an evidential medium. She captivates audiences as she brings hope, healing, and comfort through her work. Suzanne’s gift of communication with those on the other side provides stunning evidence of life after death. Touted as “a breath of fresh air” with “a quality that is so different from others that it is difficult to describe,” she brings messages of hope and love that go straight to the heart. Suzanne is a retired U.S. Navy Commander. She served as a commanding officer, as special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, and as Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11.

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The presentation studies the common features in NDEs and explores the scientific basis of their occurrence. Using mathematical and qualitative analysis of a number of different scientific phenomenon and even an ancient text dealing with the nature of reality – a common thread between them could be derived. The paper scientifically interprets and explains the observations in an NDE and provides an insight into the nature of consciousness. The basic premise of the presentation is that a single truth should have its consistent reflection in various different forms, and one should also be able to reach this truth via suitable analysis of different phenomenon. A new perspective of looking at things is developed which removes the conflict between phenomenon like science / mathematics and spirituality / religion.

To found and fund an endowment for the Science of Reincarnation: The science of reincarnation is defined by children who remember prior lives, NDE’s, past life regression, intention and viewing experiments, and other non-local consciousness events. The endowment’s mandate is to fund an accredited college-level textbook so this science can be taught in its totality at universities using the science and experiments that were done at these same universities. The endowment will also look to fund programs at universities that study the data points in the above physical expressions and interconnect these data points both mathematically and physically. This endowment should be self-directed and self-sustaining being able to create its own funding. So to the appropriate 501c(3)/501c(6) with the understanding that the money goes to writing the textbook and supporting the science I will give and bequeath the following. The website, the science of Reincarnation, the store and all the intellectual property regarding images on T-shirts, mugs, etc. This includes my writing, both fiction and nonfiction. In short a complete brand with a small group of global followers already in place. I will also personally run the kick starter campaign to fund the textbook. How much will that cost and who do I write the check to?

Healthcare professionals acceptance of NDE would change Healthcare practice: A practicing nurse has a near death experience and becomes dissatisfied with her work as a care giver.

For every NDEr, the journey is one of transition not only from the physical to the immaterial but from “this” way of thinking and beliefs about the self and world to “that” way, There is often a cognitive dissonance that occurs during the reintegration phase which challenges the Hero to embark on a new journey using their NDE as their guide. It is the same journey we all must take in our lives, having had an NDE or not. Some accept the challenge and move through the growing pains of creating a new life around their new “knowledge” here, while others refuse the call and remain in their old life and old way of thinking. NDEr’s have the opportunity to use their knowledge of the afterlife to assist others in their own rite of passage here, in the body, into a new way of viewing themselves (as the love they are) and therefore raise the collective consciousness of the world. That, ultimately, is the Rite of Passage we all share and we are each on our own Hero’s Journey toward that end.

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This presentation will summarize Dr. Greyson’s perceptions of the past, present, and future prospects for near-death research. He will begin with a review of the past 40 years of near-death research, including a discussion of the problems inherent in studying these phenomena and the strategies that have been invoked by researchers both in approaching this complex field of study and in pursuing this research within the constraints of mainstream science. Dr. Greyson will then review the current state of near-death research, focusing on what we have learned in the past four decades and outlining which research strategies have proven fruitful and which have yet to provide significant insights. The presentation will conclude with his impressions of promising avenues for the next 40 years of near-death research, concentrating both on research strategies that seem to offer the best prospects for scientific advancement and on the particular facets of near-death experiences whose investigation may offer the greatest benefits to science and to humanity. Dr. Greyson is one of the Founders of IANDS and is called by many “the father of NDE research”. He is the most-published of NDE researchers in academic literature.

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Panel discussion of psychiatry and NDEs, with Drs. Bruce Greyson, Elaine Drysdale and Rebecca Valla. Moderated by Debbie James.

The Gifts from two Near Deaths: One in the Light & One in Recovery: Too many stories focus too much on the details of the accident or the near death, or even the amazing experiences out of the body or in the Light. But my presentation is focused on my life changing learnings and transitions, and how my learnings can even help attendees on their own life’s path without needing to be hit so hard as I was not only once but twice! I will share how my first near death Called me into the Light and into a Conversation with God in which I discovered my Life’s Purpose and became a national leader teaching organizations how I had needed to learn to maximize the diversity of our human resources, and how my second near death changed my focus dramatically from organizational training to one-on-one very personal and interpersonal relationship coaching at the Soul level.

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Benefits of ADC: I would like to share my experiences of After-Death Communications and speak about how my last experience helped me move forward into my spiritual understanding about life.

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In addition to my own NDE, I have been doing research on others including Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) who is often called America’s greatest psychic, the Sleeping Prophet, a Seer, and is also often credited with being the father of holistic medicine for his many successful remedies he prescribed while in a hypnotic trance. I started in early 2013 to try to find some real evidence of Edgar’s NDE. While reading, A Seer out of Season (Bro, 1989) I found a real aha something! Harmon Bro, a graduate student was working for Edgar in 1944. Edgar, now in ill health, knew Bro was planning to write his Ph.D. dissertation on Edgar’s life, and was providing Bro with some highlights from his earlier years. Bro writes of Edgar: “He told of how he had drowned and been pronounced dead in his youth and how the invisible playmates of his childhood had returned to him once as an adult” (1989, p.426). Edgar was making certain that these important events in his young life were documented for his memoirs. Bro wrote down these discussions, and it is important to follow of the flow of Edgar’s memory—he drowned and his invisible playmates came to him. I believe that Edgar drowned, had an NDE, and probably had his first out-of-body experience, an experience that he would continue to have more than 14,000 additional times. The invisible playmates, a visit from an angel, and the multitude of gifts that Edgar received from God, such as the ability to put himself in a trance and receive information from the Book of Knowledge flowed to him and were, I believe, the results of his spiritual development, first made possible by his NDE, happening around the age of five–similar to mine.

Human life, by definition, is a beautiful rite of passage. According to our NDE ambassadors from heaven, the meaning of life is to learn to love. Specifically, we learn to love in a spiral of transforming lessons. Yet, love is not simply a feeling, but a complex set of skills including inherent respect, tolerance, humility, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Based on NDE life reviews, each human soul has been issued a life mission to learn one or more of these skill sets. But how do we discover our unique mission? It is the purpose of this presentation to discuss how people discover their own unique life missions on earth. Moreover, we will explore how people fulfill their mission within the cadence of time, our most precious commodity. To this aim, we will explore three mission passages in time, including the passage that brings us in closest concordance with the Source.

Since 1975, researchers have conducted over 65 studies involving over 2,500 near-death experiencers (NDErs) on four continents (Holden, Greyson, & James, 2009). As a result, much is now known about the circumstances, contents, and aftereffects of NDEs. In general, the more complex the NDE, the more the NDEr will subsequently evidence physical, psychological, spiritual, and social changes—often profound transformation (Noyes, Fenwick, Holden, & Christian, 2009). As much as is known about NDE aftereffects, more remains to be understood. An apparently less-addressed aftereffect is what Holden (2013) termed spontaneous mediumship experiences (SMEs) based on her anecdotal observations. SMEs are a subset of after-death communication (ADC). What sets SMEs apart as a sub-phenomenon is that the deceased person may be more likely not to be a loved one, and the deceased person conveys to the SMEr a message he or she wishes the SMEr to convey to yet another living person—someone whom the SMEr may or may not know. In this presentation, the presenter will describe results of the first quantitative study as well as two case studies investigating this phenomenon including implications for future research and counseling.

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Researchers have found that response to near-death experience (NDE) disclosure plays an important role—for good or ill—in near-death experiencers (NDErs) integration of their NDEs. However, in both conference presentations and the professional literature, near-death experiencers (NDErs) have described disastrous experiences of disclosing their NDEs to healthcare providers, being met with disbelief, dismissal, diagnosis, and demonizing. In our review of the professional literature, we found no wide-scale study of NDErs’ experiences of disclosing to healthcare providers. Our purpose in this study was to begin to remedy that gap. Eighty-eight NDErs reported on 188 experiences of disclosing their NDEs. The author-developed Near-Death Experiencers’ Experiences of Disclosure Scale (NEEDS) proved valid and reliable. Among the results were extent of harmful vs. helpful disclosure experiences and whether quality of disclosure experience varied by type of healthcare professional (medical, mental health, or religious/spiritual) or by year of NDE, timing of disclosure (immediate or delayed), and depth of NDE. The presenter will conclude by addressing implications for healthcare providers who work with NDErs and their educators and for future NDE researchers.

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Presentation on the state of the art in current science regarding the afterlife. This correlates with my 2015 book The NEW SCIENCE OF DEATH: Proof of the Afterlife. I discuss our current work at the Institute of Noetic Sciences where we are studying Mediumship, as well as how the science Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), String Theory and Dark Energy allow for the existence of the afterlife.

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Death as Transition: The Soul’s Withdrawal from the Body and NDEs during the Dying Process: Intended for clinical care providers, spiritual care providers, and loved ones of those approaching end of life, this lecture presentation includes an esoteric explanation of the transition of the dying process as the soul leaves the body. Comparing the wisdom teachings of death and dying to the medical model allows those involved to gain new insights about the dying process. Thus, all concerned are able to form a more effective team as they strive to prepare terminally ill patients who have experienced an NDE for a more peaceful transition to the moment of death.

What Dying Teaches Us About Living: The NDE has a fascination by the public. Everyone wants to know what it feels like to die, and that there is an afterlife. Although these are important and sensational aspects of the nde, as any experiencer will tell you, this is only the beginning of the story. There is much more to the near death experience than the physical act of dying and experiencing an afterlife. There are lessons and messages that the experiencer learns and receives when having an nde. Some of these messages and lessons are common with most nde’s. The knowledge of connectedness with others, unconditional love, forgiveness and non-judgement are a few. My presentation will briefly describe my nde, review the publics perception of the nde and explain that some of the most important lessons learned by the nde are about how to live, not about dying. We’ll review the most common messages learned by nde’s and look at ways we can all put them in to practice.

One of the most pronounced changes occurring after an NDE is a loss of the fear of death. Because the fear of death represents a fundamental part of the human experience and can be traced to many individual and societal problems, a greater understanding of death related attitudes in Near Death Experiencers (NDErs) has warranted investigation. The preliminary results of a study into the effects of the NDE on death attitudes, including the construct of the NDErs resultant afterlife beliefs are presented here. It is suggested that the NDE fundamentally alters the experiencers understanding of self and reality – a rite of passage (perhaps the most profound of all) whereby death no longer holds the same relevance, leading to significant spiritual growth.

Since 1975 when Raymond Moody published his influential work on near-death experiences (NDEs), controversy has existed among researchers regarding the source of the experiences. Some researchers have attributed various NDE features to physiological changes in the human body; one such feature that many experiencers have reported is rapid movement through a tunnel toward a light. Although experiencers themselves and some researchers have disagreed with physiological explanations, limited evidence has existed to contribute to a resolution of the dispute. In this article, we present a case study of an adult Caucasian male who experienced gravity induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) as a World War II pilot and two subsequent transpersonal experiences—an NDE and an after-death communication—all of which included a tunnel-and-light feature. His ability to compare the qualia of the tunnel and light in each of these three experiences provides unique evidence in the debate about the nature and likely source of this experiential feature. His testimony places more weight on the argument that the tunnel and light in transpersonal experiences cannot reasonably be attributed to loss of oxygen in the brain.

Back From the Light is a documentary on near-death experience aftereffects that will include perspectives from the NDEr, the NDEr’s family and NDE researchers. Both producers Robert Neal Marshall and Yvonne Sneeden are NDErs. The viewpoint of the family members of NDErs has not been covered much in the NDE literature or film. Back From The Light is a new documentary film that addresses understanding and coping with these Aftereffects – these deeply personal changes for all involved.

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After Death Communication, Near Death Experiences, Spiritually Transformative Experiences and related phenomena are documented and fairly common features of the human experience, but they remain outside the consensus reality of modern culture. Yet, these phenomena reveal many positive insights about the nature of life and how to orient personhood within a meaningful world-view. There are evidential stages of experience, growth, and development that allow acceptance and integration of these insights into functional, personal values.

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Investigation of apparently non-physical veridical perceptions (AVPs) during NDEs has been the subject of much experimental and phenomenological research since 1988. Jan Holden’s study (2006/2009) showed that over 90% of cases of AVPs from NDE literature were completely accurate. The multi-hospital AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) study of NDEs during cardiac arrest has a major objective of detecting possible AVPs of hidden visual targets. It is important now to look systematically at AVP cases in detail, to include only cases of AVPs that were independently verified to researchers by another person and to include important recent cases. With the sheer number of AVP cases, the weight of the evidence becomes daunting to those who would dismiss the fact that AVPs occur. By grouping similar cases into phenomenological clusters, such as perceptions during cardiac arrest and perceptions beyond the reach of physical senses, a more thorough examination of possible causes becomes possible. Physical explanations that cover all cases of AVPs then become more difficult, especially for a number of the favorite physical explanations of AVPs or that the perceptions were due to hallucinations, fabrication or confabulation of information derived from other sources. Many types of AVPs would require physical explanations that are highly questionable. However, with the weight of many types of AVPs, a strong case can be made for the idea that NDEs involve the actual separation of consciousness from the physical body and may lead to the correct conception of the mind relative to the physical body and to physical reality.

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Toward a Psychotherapy for the 21st Century: The main premise of the presentation is that the corpus of data provided by research of the near-death experience can form the basis of a foundation for a psychotherapy with spiritual dimensions. There are many “spiritual” psychotherapies in the market place, but they are variously based on philosophies, religious traditions, energy psychologies, etc., rather than on data derived from scientific empirical methods.

Erica McKenzie, BSN, R.N., hid a lifelong battle with addiction and body image until it ended one day when she collapsed to the floor unconscious. Surrounded by death, she found herself delivered into the hands of God. During her extraordinary near-death experience (NDE), in Heaven, Hell and the in-between, God revealed the importance of free will and the destiny of mankind. Erica discovered God’s Divine plan—a blueprint—unique gifts he bestows on each of us, and the key to unlock their power. She returned with a new mission, to share these messages with the world. But first she would endure many challenges that would test her faith and connection with God and which began with learning to love herself. Her God-given wisdom is a gift beyond price, a gift she shares with us. Erica is the author of the newly released book Dying to Fit In. She is a mother of three teenagers and five dogs. Erica is a nurse educator who advocates a consciousness-based approach to healing. Her medical background, experience in hospice, and after effects from her NDE are contributions she brings to the table in effort to increase awareness, identify, and grow our connection with the afterlife. As she enlightens audiences with her messages, she empowers them to see their own unique value. Her passion for helping others is contagious. Erica serves on the board of veteransvillage.org.

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Nursing faculty across the United States were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions (DBVs) through a modified web-based administration of the Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (Thornburg, 1988). The questionnaire allowed the ability of participants to share their experiences of patients and family members who had reported NDEs and DBVs. Of the approximately 550 responses, 13% of respondents (n= 71) indicated that they personally had experienced an NDE, 48% that they have cared for a patient reporting an NDE, and 46% that they have cared for a patient reporting a DBV. Qualitative-enriched experiences that the nursing faculty reported indicate and underscore the importance of ongoing research into near-death phenomena and inclusion of NDEs and DBVs as content areas in nursing curriculum.

When people attempt suicide and have an NDE, they almost never attempt suicide again. These people have wisdom to share about how their failed suicides and NDEs transformed their lives from feelings of defeat and despair to feelings of hope and life purpose. This presentation will review the literature concerning NDEs and suicide, discuss the ways NDEs impact those who attempt suicide, and present video of people who have attempted suicide and brought back lessons from their NDEs. Also, a new video project about suicide and NDEs will be introduced.

More about Roberta Moore More about Jan Holden

Love Never Dies is a video about Penny Wigglesworth, who was stung by a bee while playing golf with her youngest son. In response to the sting, she went into anaphylactic shock and had a near-death experience, which changed her life forever. Later, she hesitated to tell anyone about her NDE, especially her skeptical husband, but she eventually began to talk about her experience. Ironically, after her husband died unexpectedly, she and her four children all had after-death communications from him. This video was produced by Roberta Moore, who also produced Near-Death Experience, What Medical Professionals Need to Know.

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Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize the value of what we have until we lose it. This was also the case for Anita Moorjani, who only realized the value of her physical life here on earth when she was at death’s door, at the precipice of losing it. Death, she says, has taught her how to live.

Anita’s goal is for others to realize the value of life without having to go through what she did. During this seminar, Anita will share with her audience the gifts she learned about life from the other realm, and what her experience taught her on how to bring a little piece of heaven or nirvana into everyday life here and now!

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The Near-Death Experience often results in a powerful, alchemical-like transformation of consciousness. As in other perennial “rites of passage” (including initiation and vision quests) this transmutation of “Self” results when one’s ego-driven self-identity is transformed and fused into a wiser, more empathic, purpose-driven sense of “Self”. This metamorphosis or transformation into greater wholeness is often represented in the alchemical and Gnostic literature, including the Gospel of Thomas, as a fusion of opposites into a Divine Unity. This Transmutation of “Self” (whether through an NDE or other “rite of passage”) is often closely associated with the expansion of Wisdom, an enhanced capacity to Love, and a definite sense of Purpose along with the importance of its fulfillment.

Scot Olsen’s profile More about Sacred Geometry

Nine minutes – My path to the Light: Tibor Putnoki went through a near death experience in 1994. His NDE lasted for 9 minutes. This experience not only changed his earlier life entirely, but also gave an inspiration for the rest of his life: “People need to be told, they need to know, not to live and act as they do, and I did”. Translator: Kristof Toth

I will go into detail about a shared death experience with my wife of 25 years. I will describe an early childhood NDE, and several NDE-like experiences including one in which I encountered the boundary between life and physical death. I will discuss the challenges during and after transcendent experiences of living as a human and describe how transcendent experiences catalyze psychological and spiritual growth – this is the rite of passage component. I will include an exercise informed by these experiences that will clarify human emotional and mental parts of self and differentiate those parts from the type of awareness that connects the personality to the deeper self (this can be seen in the YouTube video of my South Bay IANDS presentation 1/27/15).

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In September 2005, David was on the brink of death. He had been in an unresponsive coma for nearly four weeks from a mysterious illness, which was identified as a rare form of vasculitis —Wegener’s Granulomatosis. David was on life support and in complete kidney failure. Family members from out-of-state had flown in to say their goodbyes. Scarlett had heard of David’s illness through a mutual friend. The night before David’s family left town, Scarlett attended a gathering where David’s mother was present. Moved by his mother’s expression of love and sorrow, Scarlett offered to visit David and offer Reiki and healing prayer. The next day, she went to visit David, whom she had never met. Scarlett and David had a shared near-death experience (SNDE) that resulted in an unexpected medical recovery for David. They experienced a profound love during the encounter, revealing sacred bonds of love that transcend time and space. This spiritual love story of two people who woke up to a world of love on the other side and were able to bring it back to earth—together—will inspire others to know that the transformative power of love exists.

Ever increasing advancements in the fields of medical resuscitation techniques and information technology has made reporting NDEs more prevalent. There is every reason to believe that this reporting will mirror the exponential growth of this technology. Benjamin Smith is an example of how this might be possible. He has been searching for explanations of multiple paranormal experiences, but it wasn’t until the advent of the internet, YouTube, and similar media that he could fully explore this subject matter. Mr. Smith speculates that the public at large will become more accepting of an Afterlife as more people are brought back from the brink of death and increasing sophistication of information technology means greater access to this information.

NDEs as rites of passage to acceptance. Findings from a New Zealand sample: NDEs can lead to profound life changes. These changes may require a level of adaptation not only by the experiencer, but by those they interact with as well. Because of this, a degree of acceptance is required by all who are involved. It is important to acknowledge these changes and the degree of acceptance needed. Therefore, how NDEs serve as rites of passage to acceptance will be discussed, in addition to the acceptance required and the consequences of lack of acceptance. Suggestions on how greater acceptance can be achieved will be made. Kate Steadman’s presentation will be given by her supervisor, Natasha Tassell-Matamua.

The transformative nature of NDEs. Do you have to have an NDE to be changed by one?: Previous studies indicate NDEs have a transformative quality to them – inducing significant life and spiritual changes in many who have them. A smaller number of studies also indicate learning about NDEs can facilitate beneficial changes in those who have not had an NDE. This presentation will present findings of a New Zealand study, which assessed knowledge about and attitudes towards NDEs; and investigated the impact of NDE ‘education’ on knowledge and attitudes. Findings will be discussed in relation to how NDE ‘education’ can serve as a rite of passage to beneficial and profound spiritual transformations in non-NDErs.

Intended to facilitate ultimate wellbeing in a gentle way, the presentation/poster will cover as appropriate: 1. Inviting/guiding experiential oneness in the game of life: guided visualization, facilitation models for individuals, groups and universal peace. 2. As a single tool or as a final cornerstone in a multi-modal approach, Ultimate Efficiency assisted people on their self-healing journey by accessing spirituality and the resources of inner and outer souls to go beyond mental and emotional applications of historical psychological therapeutic standard models. 3. A discussion of the art/science of soul healing (with linkages to functional neurology or psychoneuroimmunology) with Ultimate Efficiency going further as appropriate when other methods have gone as far as they can for an individual or group. Poster title: MARK Your Path: Confidence, Coherence, Comfort thru Margaret A. Kean’s NDE Rites of Passage

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This NDEr panel will have (1) Rudi Rudenski – CRS Radio show host who has been interviewing NDErs for over 3 years. Rudi had an NDE while serving on active duty and changed from hating everyone not just like him to loving everyone; (2) Sharon Heller – The Brain Gym Lady – her experience is outlined in the book When Ego Dies; (3) Nancy Moore – was told she would be in serious car accident – and it happened, triggering a profound NDE; and (4) other Texan NDErs.

The Near-Death Experience leads to a transformed life, with insight, wisdom and a heart that yearns to share with others. Many NDE’rs are eloquent speakers, others are gifted writers. I am an artist, and it is through my art creations, that I translate the journey, rites of passage and deeper insights in which my near-death experience has allowed me to take.

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Departing Visions: What is a departing vision? The physically dying often report visions of deceased loved ones, hours, days or even weeks, before actual transition takes place. Such encounters lessen the fear of dying and make transition easier. Family members, friends and healthcare professionals also reported similar visions. In many situations, an individual will have a visitation at the exact moment of a passing. Previously, they are often unaware the loved one or patient was going to pass. Awakened from a deep sleep after a visitation is then followed by a phone call minutes later confirming the passing. Those at the bedside have also reported seeing “something” like a mist leaving the body as “spirit moves from this life to the next”. Death loses its sting with the appearance of deceased family and friends, while glimpses of an afterlife promise the journey continues. Such encounters have been documented for centuries and continue to be scientifically researched today. These comforting encounters strongly suggest the personality, soul, or consciousness continues after physical death. Wills Brandon has not only been investigating departing visions for thirty years, but like many others, encountered her first of many visions as a youngster.

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A professional psychic since 1972, I had a near-death experience in 1977, and wrote about it in my book, A SECOND IN ETERNITY, as featured on www.eternea.com. My presentation will focus on the NDE itself, how it affected me spiritually and psychically, how faith and trust were both required and rewarded, and how to apply techniques in life, just as we did to walk, talk or do our jobs. We forget that techniques also help us grow and evolve, and I will explain how curiosity and the simplest of techniques – observation – can help us tap into the Universal powers, radically change our lives, and empower us to open the doors to higher creativity and better decision-making, since each of us is a Creator, every second of every day.

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