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open access

The Near-Death Experience: Myth or Reality? A Methodological Approach

Description: This paper discusses the effort to find an objective means of evaluating near-death experiences (NDEs). A study of "one hundred and sixteen near-death survivors have been interviewed in this study" (abstract). The author's mechanism for determining the authenticity of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) requires that individuals recall details that are specific to the events that surrounded their physical body during the duration of their OBE, and the individual must have no physical means of gainin… more
Date: July 1981
Creator: Sabom, Michael B.
open access

Near-Death Experiences and the Mind-Body Problem

Description: This paper talks about near-death experiences and their nature causing conflicts with the current view of the body and mind. The paper discusses different views about the nature of the human mind and body.
Date: July 1981
Creator: Woodhouse, Mark B.
open access

Toward an Explanation of Near-Death Phenomena

Description: This paper discusses different kinds of near-death experiences (NDEs) and the conditions that general elicit them. Their nature is elaborated upon, as well as their effects on the people that experience them.
Date: July 1981
Creator: Grosso, Michael
open access

Unresolved Problems in the Study of Near-Death Experiences: Some Suggestions for Research and Theory

Description: This paper means to progress the research of near-death experiences (NDEs) by analyzing potential methodology and addressing assumptions. It also analyzes different kinds of NDEs and the limitations that restrict the deriving of strong conclusions from data. The author makes it clear that their own assumption leans towards the existence of NDEs as a cognitive phenomenon until further research can be conducted.
Date: July 1981
Creator: Drab, Kevin J.
open access

The Centrality of Near-Death Experiences in Chinese Pure Land Buddhism

Description: From introduction: "One of the commonest reactions to the visionary experiences of heaven by the critical observer has been to argue that these are nothing more than the projections of the expectations of the dying person, who was either consciously or subconsciously trained to expect heavenly scenery (etc.) by his cultural upbringing. [...] This paper is a preliminary report on the status of NDEs in Pure Land Buddhism in China, and is an important contribution to cross-cultural research for se… more
Date: December 1981
Creator: Becker, Carl B.
open access

Near Death Experiences in a Pacific Northwest American Population: The Evergreen Study

Description: From introduction: "With the refinement of modern resuscitation procedures increasing numbers of people have 'died' and then returned to life. Many individuals report that during the time of clinical death extraordinary phenomena occur, which challenge accepted ideas of what happens when we die. A remarkable degree of correlation in these reports demands serious consideration. This paper will address pertinent questions raised by these reports."
Date: December 1981
Creator: Lindley, James H.; Bryan, Sethyn & Conley, Bob
open access

Toward a Psychological Explanation of Near-Death Experiences: A Response to Dr. Grosso's Paper

Description: From introduction: "Michael Grosso, in his elegant review of various hypotheses intended to explain near-death experiences as reductionistic and unable to account adequately for the NDE. The present paper is a restatement of the case for psychological interpretations of the NDE; it is intended to forestall the premature rejection of psychodynamic approaches to the study of NDEs."
Date: December 1981
Creator: Greyson, Bruce
open access

The Book on Life Beyond by Bô Yin Râ: Death and Afterlife in Spiritual Perspective

Description: "This paper seeks to draw attention to a comprehensive work on death-related questions, first published in 1920, that sheds light on crucial problems still discussed today. The author speaks from his extensive observations of the dying process and near-death phenomena, seen from a spiritual point of view, but, more importantly, discusses the inherent structure of nonphysical existence, where life no longer is perceived by mortal senses but rather, as he states, by virtue of a spiritual organism… more
Date: June 1982
Creator: Reichenbach, Bodo
open access

Changes in Spirituality as Reported By Death-Workshop Attendees

Description: This paper assesses the reliability of The Life, Death, and Transition Workshop conducted by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross with the Alexander Spirituality Change Survey. "Significant positive change in spirituality by attendees was reported and appeared to be sustained over time" (abstract).
Date: June 1982
Creator: Alexander, John B. & Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth
open access

Meanings and Implications of NDEr Transformations: Some Preliminary Findings and Implications

Description: This paper discusses the positive implications of experiencing NDEs. "The available evidence shows, in decreasing order of saliency: greatly increased concern for others; lessened fear of death and increased belief in an afterlife; increased religious interest and feeling, both non-institutionalized and institutionalized; and lessened desires for material success and approval of others" (abstract). "NDErs might be harbingers of a more humane future" (abstract).
Date: June 1982
Creator: Flynn, Charles P.
open access

The NDE Enlarged by Swedenborg's Vision

Description: This paper describes Emanuel Swedenborg and his out-of-body experiences that have been documented. It also describes Swedenborg's ceasing of his work in the natural sciences and commencing with the publishing of spiritual books.
Date: June 1982
Creator: Rhodes, Leon S.
open access

Pathophysiology of Stress-Induced Limbic Lobe Dysfunction: A Hypothesis for NDEs

Description: This paper discusses the strong resemblance of near-death experiences (NDEs) to complex hallucinations associated with limbic lobe dysfunction. The paper presents the hypothesis that neurohormones with the capacity to influence hippocampal activity may also cause characteristics of NDE limbic lobe syndrome.
Date: June 1982
Creator: Carr, Daniel
open access

Precognitive and Prophetic Visions in Near-Death Experiences

Description: This paper describes deep near-death experiences (NDEs). Personal flashforwards (PFFs) and prophetic visions (PVs) involve seeing events subsequent to the NDE, and seeing planetary-wide events, respectively. The paper describes PVs that depict major global changes.
Date: June 1982
Creator: Ring, Kenneth
open access

The Failure of Saganomics: Why Birth Models Cannot Explain Near-Death Phenomena

Description: This article refutes Carl Sagan's theory that near-death experiences (NDEs) are recollections of birth experiences based on three major reasons including the inability of newborn babies to perceive experiences and that there are differences between births and NDEs.
Date: December 1982
Creator: Becker, Carl B.
open access

A Multivariate Method for the Classification of Preexisting Near-Death Conditions

Description: Abstract: This study reports the results of a multivariate analysis of data from 33 subjects who had near-death experiences. The analysis examined the relationship between the phenomenology of the experience and preexisting conditions. Five clusters were derived: Low Stress, Emotional Stress, Intoxicant, Cardiac Arrest, and Anesthetic. The heuristic value of these clusters is discussed. The statistical technique used is also discussed in some detail since it is particularly suitable for categor… more
Date: December 1982
Creator: Twemlow, Stuart W.; Gabbard, Glen O. & Coyne, Lolafayne
open access

Near-Death Studies, 1981-82: A Review

Description: Abstract: Near-death studies published in major scientific journals during 1981-82 are grouped by subject matter and briefly reviewed.
Date: December 1982
Creator: Greyson, Bruce
open access

Over Easy: A Cultural Anthropologist's Near-Death Experience

Description: The author details a near-death experience which has caused him to find a new reality "replete with symbolic meanings that altered his view of life, death, and their intermediate cultural patterns." After his near-death experience (NDE), he faced NDE visions while unconscious and partially paralyzed for weeks, encountering "radiant knowledge and total love" and feeling no need to eat, drink or sleep. His visions have caused him to "abandon many typical cultural patterns." He replaces these patt… more
Date: December 1982
Creator: Gallagher, Patrick
open access

Parapsychological Reflections on Some Tunnel Experiences

Description: Partial Abstract: "This paper examines tunnel experiences, which have been discussed by Raymond Moody, Kenneth Ring, and Kevin Drab in the context of near-death experiences. It is argued that tunnel experiences, even when possibly triggered by psi cognition, are not always associated with near-death experiences or out-of-body experiences. A proposed definition of pseudo-hallucinations is adapted to possible psi-induced tunnel experiences." Six categories of tunnel experiences are outlined, a "t… more
Date: December 1982
Creator: Chari, C. T. K.
open access

Five Arguments Regarding the Objectivity of NDEs

Description: This paper presents five arguments that are relevant in assessing the objective status of near-death experiences (NDEs). The core of the analyses "is in support of an objectivist interpretation of the near-death experience" (abstract).
Date: June 1983
Creator: Woodhouse, Mark B.
open access

Jung, Parapsychology, and the Near-Death Experience: Toward a Transpersonal Paradigm

Description: This paper discusses near-death experiences (NDEs) under the framework of the Jungian theory of archetypes. "NDEs are looked at as evidence for the activation of a unique archetype associated with rebirth experience, designated the archetype of death and enlightenment (ADE). The general function of the ADE is outlined, and evidence for the psychic manifestations of it is reviewed" (abstract).
Date: June 1983
Creator: Grosso, Michael
open access

The Mormon Explanation of Near-Death Experiences

Description: "This paper describes an explanation of the near-death experience (NDE) based on the writings of Mormon leaders" (abstract). The paper mentions the spirit world, and the spiritual body's characteristics, as well as the people that can be encountered by the individual experiencing the NDE.
Date: June 1983
Creator: Lundahl, Craig R. & Widdison, Harold A.
open access

Multiple Mind/Body Perspectives and the Out-of-Body Experience

Description: "This study reviews and analyzes evidence for a rare but persistently reported facet of out-of-body experience (OBE)/near-death experience (NDE) phenomenology designated the "multiple-body/split-consciousness" effect. Those who experience this effect describe the sensation of possessing and in some instances simultaneously occupying a multiple number of "bodies" at varying locations, sometimes in conjunction with the sense of being disembodied" (abstract). The paper also analyzes this phenomeno… more
Date: June 1983
Creator: Greene, F. Gordon
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