Sometimes a Blurb is Enough—The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences

Note—This series is an attempt on my part to sift through books which are readable from those that are not. Steve

The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences: How the Messages of NDEs Can Positively Impact the World by Penny Sartori and Kelly Walsh

Discover the positive effects of NDEs in this “well-written and thought-provoking” study full of near-death experience true stories (Anita Moorjani, New York Times–bestselling author of Dying to Be Me).

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are often transformative—not only on an individual level, but on a collective level too. This book contains a selection of inspiring stories from ordinary people whose extraordinary experiences have changed the course and direction of their lives, opening each and every one of them to the power of divine love.

Recent years have seen a dramatic change of attitude towards near-death experiences. Unfortunately, the ongoing debates about near-death experiences have detracted greatly from their transformational effects and how empowering they can be for the whole of mankind. For those who experience them, near-death experiences often instill the knowledge that we are all interconnected and part of one great whole.

This book aims to inspire people from all walks of life, creeds, cultures, and faiths to the transformational power of the message of near-death experiences—and to show how the love experienced during the NDE has the capacity to heal minds, bodies and souls.

That’s the blurb.

So, even though the subtitle of the book includes “How the Messages of NDEs Positively Impact the World” the blurb goes on to say “Unfortunately, the ongoing debates about near-death experiences have detracted greatly from their transformational effects and how empowering they can be for the whole of mankind.”

So, this book is a plan for how NDEs can impact the world because they haven’t as yet done that? If they can, why haven’t they? Why is a plan needed?

As I have said often enough that I do not deny that people have experiences when they have brushes with death, but I struggle with their interpretations, for example: “I saw a bright white light and felt loved and accepted, it must have been Jesus” (a paraphrase from memory).

I also know that Air Force pilots undergoing centrifuge training (to prepare them for the effects of high speed maneuvers in jet fighters) report seeing a bright white light and feeling really really good just before passing out. The trainers found this out when they saw pilots getting back in line for another go and debriefed them. The explanation is that as the blood supply to the brain diminished, the optical range of the eyes was diminished and the body was flooded with feel-good endorphins because clearly the pilot was in deadly danger. Resulting in only seeing a bright white light and feeling very calm and loved.

Religious experiences are one thing; their interpretation an entirely different thing. Even calling an experience a “religious” experience is an interpretation.

Quite some time ago I read a great deal about NDEs and found them fascinating. Religious, no, fascinating, yes. But then I seem to be quite resistant to the charms of religions.