Clinical death and returning from it: Do the dying in all cultures experience the same?

I wonder whether there is a way to determine if the "near-death experiences" are caused by the brain running out of oxygen. If this was true, you'd expect all people to go through similar experiences since they'd be based in the biology of the brain.


In Western culture, there are a lot of stories from people who were revived after they were clinically dead. Usually there is a description of leaving the body, hovering over the body and then moving to a bright white lght. This seems accompanied by intense feelings of happiness, some feel they're being welcomed to the light.


I would like to know whether this experience is the same for people in other cultures - have the Chinese, Japanese, Indian , Arab or African the same near-death experience? I could not find any info on this; research in english or german only turns up western experiences.

Clinical death and returning from it: Do the dying in all cultures experience the same?
I had what today is termed a "Near-Death Experience" or N.D.E. in 1972 when I was 12 years old before any of today's popular books and videos on the subject had been produced. What I experienced had absolutely nothing in common with what I had been taught about death via my parents or religious upbringing. I am now 46 and have been studying the phenomenon ever since. I have many books, videos, and CDs about N.D.E.s in my library, so I consider myself very knowledgeable about the subject. In addition, I am a college honors graduate, member of Outstanding College Students of America, a former College Bowl All Star (like the TV show "Jeopardy" except for American college students), and worked for many years as a professional journalist. I was a pre-med major when I first entered college and am fairly well versed in modern science. Bottom line: N.D.E.s have been reported since the beginning of time (see Heironymous Bosch's paiting "Ascent of the Blessed" - circa 1450-1500.) and have absolutely nothing to do with the physical body or physical brain which Is Not the Seat of Consciousness as some would have you believe. Many people who have experienced N.D.E.s had absolutely no brain activity, their hearts had stopped, their breathing had stopped, their eyes were closed, they were lying on a hospital gurney, and some even had their body temperatures quickly brought below freezing and all of their blood removed from their entire bodies; but these people were miraculously able to describe not only what the doctors did while they were clinically dead from a vantage point above their bodies but also were able to accurately describe conversations and events that took place in other parts of the hospital or even other parts of the world while they were "dead." Unless you are very foolish indeed, the evidence suggests that consciousness survives physical death and can exist apart from the physical body. What we now call N.D.E.s are reported by humans all over the world and tend to feature special characteristics. Those characteristic include: Separation from the physical body. Floating above the physical body. The appearance of a large tunnel of light. Being sucked or drawn through the tunnel at what seems to be an incredibly high speed. A unique and beautiful light at the end of the tunnel. A doorway or portal at the end of the tunnel. The appearance of deceased relatives, friends, or a recognizable religious figure who communicates telepathically and often escorts an N.D.E. recipient through the tunnel. Usually in teens and adults, a three-dimensional, holographic-style "life review" in which the N.D.E. recipient not only sees, hears, and feels everything they've ever thought and done while physically alive, but also experiences what others felt and experienced as a result of their actions or inactions. The N.D.E. recipient usually judges him or herself, but those whose consciences are very limited may have another spiritual being interpret for them. Some have described this as having thier "life flash in front of them." A being of light connected to the tunnel who communicates telepathically and may appear at the end of the tunnel near the door or portal. Feelings of complete peace with no suffering or pain normally associated with the physical body. Heightened intellectual awareness and sensitivity. Sudden awareness of events, wisdom, or knowledge far beyond the normal scope of the person experiencing the N.D.E. The ability to see or hear things beyond the normal scope of the human body. The ability to travel over great distances at perhaps great speeds without any apparent aid through the exercise of conscious thought. Not all N.D.E. recipients will report all of these characteristics or experiences, but they will report some of them because these core experiences are common to N.D.E.s. Cultural or religious upbringing sometimes can influence who a person may see if they do report the presence of a religious figure. For instance, some Christians may report meeting Jesus, some Hindus may report meeting Krishna, some Buddhists may report meeting Siddhartha, and some Muslims may report meeting Mohammed, etc. It depends on how an individual's immortal consciousness (spirit) interprets an encounter with a spiritual being. Basically, an N.D.E. recipient is given what is needed to make him or her understand and not be afraid. All communication, however, between the N.D.E. recipient and spiritual beings is telepathic - mind-to-mind - and instantaneous. Some, as I was, are given the choice about whether to return to the physical world or not, but most basically are told something like "It isn't your time yet, and you have to go back" (meaning back to the physical world and their old bodies and lives). Curiously enough, the ancient Egyptians had a very important religious ceremony where young kings-to-be were put inside an airtight sarcophagous (casket) just long enough, based on age and body weight, etc., to promote an N.D.E. which was believed to bring about more wisdom and an awareness of the true nature of man's existence and purpose which would aid the king during his future rule. In Western culture, Plato may have been the first to describe N.D.E.s. The writer Earnest Hemingway described an N.D.E. that he had during the Spanish Civil War in one of his books, etc. I hope this has helped.
Reply:Things are similar but they are painted by their respective religions or ideas.





A good way for you to find out is to see a 70's movie called


"Beyond and back"





Good luck!!!!





Find the movie, you will love it.
Reply:With the exception of obvious determining factors; age, strength, illness, etc...; The human body is the same, regardless of one's religious belief.





Being pronounced as clinically dead, only to be revived, is of course a miracle equally granted to anyone, regardless of who they are or which of god's party they have chosen to worship, if any at all.





The physical, emotional, psychological, neurological, endocrinological, etc., effects this would cause on a person's being would be devistating for each of us.





I believe the way in which we share an experience like this would be greatly influenced by our religious culture, similar to the information relayed as a third-party participant.