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Near-Death Experiences
By P.M.H. Atwater, Lh.D., with David H. Morgan
Macmillan USA, Inc.
201 West 103rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
A Pearson Education Company
GENTLE READER
THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S REFERENCE CARD
Page iv
CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
Part 1: The Experience/The Experiencer 1
1
The Resurrected
3
Here's a brief opening look at the near-death
experienceits history, what it is, and what it isn't.
2
Types of Experiences
19
We look further into the near-death experience: the four
basic types and some startling revelations.
3
Near-Death Look-a-Likes
Some subjective experiences can mimic or duplicate the 39
near-death experience. What are they and how can you
tell the two apart?
4
The Innocents
53
Children's near-death stories are both delightful and
informative.
5
Suicide Enigmas
Suicide survivors report having near-death experiences, 71
too. Some who have near-death episodes attempt suicide
afterward to get back to where they were.
Part 2: Afterward 83
6
Lives Turned Upside Down
The life changes that occur are more far-reaching and 85
challenging than just acquiring a renewed appreciation
for life.
7
The Undeniable Aftereffects
The experience might be questioned, but the aftereffects 99
can't. Might they tell us that a near-death experience
occurs in order to fulfill what a person needs?
8
Startling Differences Between Child and Adult
Experiencers
111
The near-death experience isn't just a one-size-fits-all
phenomenon. There are differences. Adults become more
childlike; kids more mature.
9
Blocking Out the Experience
125
Adults tend to remember their experiences, but often deny
them; children tend to forget theirs. Why?
10
Medically Speaking: A Challenge to Healthcare Providers
Experiencers' health concerns include not only physical 139
changes but a desire for greater understanding of the
phenomenon by the medical community.
Page v
Part 3: Time Out for Questions 153
11
Are the Dead Really Dead?
Some experiencers meet all the current criteria for death, 155
yet then return to lifeeven days later! Determining the
moment of death is easier said than done.
12
Heavy on Research
169
Here's an overview of the Top 10 researchers in the field
and their findings.
13
Scientific Naysayers
187
Not everybody agrees that the experience is what it's
claimed to be. What do those who disagree say?
14
Debunking the Debunkers
199
The critical views are examined here. While some have
been compelling, none have been crushing.
15
Religion's Got a Gripe, Too
213
It's a spiritual/religious experience, but many religions
reject it, saying it's the work of the Devil. Why?
Part 4: Taking a Leap Beyond 223
16
Viewing Storylines in Different Ways
Sometimes personal beliefs affect what's experienced; 225
sometimes language constraints and the desire to fit in
affect how an experience is spoken of.
17
Some Striking Effects
Here are stories of near-death experiences that produced 239
miraculous healings, astonishing sightings, and
incredible abilities to cope with hardships.
18
The Importance of Otherworldly Journeys
253
What does it mean to say that near-death experiences are
otherworldly? How do near-death otherworldly journeys
differ from hallucinatory "trips" or from the stories of the
fantasy-prone?
19
The Possibility of Alternate Realities
Near-death experiences indicate that there may be 265
moremuch more!to what we think of as "real"; some
contemporary physicists agree.
20
Transformations of Consciousness
What sorts of experiences bring about transformations of281
consciousness? How can you tell whether they're
genuine?
Page vi
21
The Lights of Enlightenment
Many near-death experiencers encounter a light; others 297
meet a loving, healing darkness. What's the role of light
and darkness?
Part 5: Back Down to Earth 313
22
Brain/Biology Link
Transformative stateslike the near-death
315
experienceappear to cause structural, chemical, and
functionary changes in the brain, suggesting an
evolutionary aspect to these episodes.
23
But Are All the Claims True?
331
Is everything said or done in the name of the near-death
experience credible? Here we take a frank look.
24
Integrating the Near-Death Experience
Having the experience can be a piece of cake compared
343
to living with it. Here are helpful suggestions on how to
adjust for experiencers of all ages as well as their friends
and loved ones.
25
Redefining How Life Is Viewed
Though called the "near-death experience," we're 361
discovering that the phenomenon shows us more about
life and how we live it than it does about death.
26
Message for the Millennium
Near-death experiences have taught us much, but what 377
they're teaching us about our futureespecially about the
role of love in our livesis greater still.
Appendixes
A
