In The Light Beyond Moody reported that in twenty years of studying NDEs he had yet to find someone who hadn‘t undergone a very deep and positive transformation as a result of their NDE. This observation has been echoed by many other researchers. Consider the following:
LIFE CHANGES.
Many of those who experience an NDE describe its powerful transformative effect on their lives. There is often a shift towards experiencing life in a more positive way particularly with regard to people and nature. A renewed sense of purpose and enhanced self-esteem are among the changes engendered by the NDE.
According to Margot Grey the most commonly expressed changes fall into three main categories:
In many NDEs the percipient experiences a life review. This usually has the effect of causing the NDEer to reflect on events in their life and to reassess former values.
”My life started to flash before me. I felt embarrassed every time a stupid thing I had done came up. I sensed that the ”presence• was saying, ”Yes, you did these things, but you were learning at the same time.• It was then communicated to me that I should go back. I didn‘t want to, but I understood that there was still a lot of work for me to do.•ATTITUDES TO DEATH”I felt ashamed, I was ashamed of certain things that I had done in my life that I knew were wrong, and yet things that I had completely forgotten about I was made cognizant of and these were the things that were important; like when I was a kid, say eighteen or nineteen years old, I worked on a tubercular survey for school children and this was good.•
Changes in attitudes towards death are illustrated in the following:
”I have lost all fear of death, I almost welcome it, but at the same time I would never do anything to precipitate it. I feel we are here for a purpose and we cannot avoid what we have come here for.•ATTITUDE TOWARDS RELIGION”As a result of this experience I have no fear of death.If a life-threatening situation came about I would certainly do everything I could to avoid it, but I know that when my time comes I want to consciously relax and let this come about. If death is anything like what I experienced, it has to be the most wonderful thing to look, forward to.•
While research has shown that the content of an NDE is largely independent of prior religious beliefs it has shown that subsequent changes to religious beliefs invariably take place. The main shift appears to be away from theological doctrines to a more spiritual ideology. Typical examples follow.
”I was raised in the Church of England, but since my experience I have become non-denominational. I now feel all religion is basically the same and I think there were should be a world religion which would put an end to the religious divisions and the problems this causes.•ATTITUDES TO SUICIDE”Afterwards I wanted to develop my spiritual awareness and to learn the true meaning of the cosmos and my own relationship with God. I was no longer content just to take on face value what I was told by a priest. I feel I don‘t have to go to any particular church to find God.•
Research has demonstrated that either experiencing an NDE or having knowledge of NDEs reduces suicidal desires. A comparative study by Dr. Greyson of suicide attempts with and without NDEs showed that the group who experienced NDEs were far less likely than those who did not experience an NDE to try to commit suicide again. Several researchers have found that showing cases of NDEs to people who attempted suicide greatly reduced the desire to commit suicide.
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