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"ANOTHER LOOK..." is an ongoing column I write for Vital Signs Newsletter, a quarterly publication of the International Association For Near-Death Studies. Each segment will appear here from now on, as well as in the Newsletter. This new feature gives me a format with which to explore varied issues about near-death states. Should you wish to make a comment or want to suggest future topics, please feel free to contact me. I may be able to use your suggestions directly. Thank you. P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.)
P.M.H.Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.) P. O. Box 7691 Charlottesville, VA 22906-7691
© 2000 P.M.H.Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.)
A new day is dawning in near-death research and in our understanding of near-death states and the people who have them. It is an exciting time for all of us, and especially for the International Association For Near-Death Studies. We now have the challenge and the opportunity to reconsider the "classical model" and come up with a definition that actually fits the experience - a model medical professionals can use as well as the public at large. Based on over 21 years of research involving nearly 4,000 people, I offer the following as a model of the phenomenon for the new millennium: Context of experience - Symptoms or signs suggesting serious medical illness or injury, or physiological crisis/accident of some kind; or, experiencer's expectations of imminent death. Content of experience - An intense awareness, sense, or experience of "otherworldiness" - whether pleasant or unpleasant, strange or ecstatic. Episode can be brief and consist of only one or two elements, or can be more involved, even lengthy, and consist of multiple elements. Elements commonly experienced are: visualizing or experiencing being apart from the physical body, perhaps with the ability to change locations; greatly enhanced cognition (thoughts very clear, rapid, and hyperlucid); a darkness or light that is perceived as live and intelligent and powerful; sensations of movement and/or a sense of presence (hyper-alert faculties); sudden overwhelming floods of emotion or feelings; encounter with an identified or unidentified deceased person or animal, or an encounter with an apparently nonphysical entity; life review (like a movie or in segments, or a reliving); information can be imparted, perhaps dialogue. Typical to experience - 1) Near-death states can occur to anyone at any time, including newborns and infants, and remain vivid and coherent lifelong (unless societal or family pressures weakens memory clusters - repression more common with child experiencers than with teenagers or adults). 2) Children's episodes are usually brief and encompass few elements. The closer the child is to puberty, the greater the possibility of longer, more complicated scenarios. 3) The pattern of psychological and physiological aftereffects seems more dependent on the intensity of the experience, than on any particular imagery or length of exposure to darkness or light. 4) Attitudes and feelings significant others display after the experiencer revives directly influence how readily he or she can integrate the experience. Episode content is secondary to that initial climate of interest or disinterest. Whether the model I developed gains wide approval or is altered in some manner, a single source book - a one-stop 460-page compendium on the entire phenomenon, its implications and aftereffects - now exists. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Near-Death Experiences from Macmillan saw the light of day in mid-February this year and is available as a softcover via mass distribution. If your favorite bookstore doesn't have it, they can get it easily and quickly. Not your usual Idiot's book, this one breaks all Macmillan records as to length and the respectfulness of the text. Yes, there are snappy headers and captions, but the material is first-rate; new cases, new research, positive/negative - a 360-degree view. Yours truly is the author, with David Morgan as the editorial assistant. Bruce Greyson and Ken Ring were invaluable in their role as guides in keeping me on target, and to both I give a resounding "thank you!" So here we are, a new millennium, a one-stop source book, a new model on the way (one that is more realistic and usable), and some startling and wonderful new markers: Barbara R. Rommer, M.D. and her incredible work with those who had unpleasant scenarios as chronicled in Blessings in Disguise (Llewellyn, St. Paul, MN, 2000); and Colin Wilson with his equally insightful book, After Life: Survival of the Soul (also Llewellyn, 2000). In fact, some excellent books on near- death have come out in the last six months, not your usual literature search plus a few interviews, but real indepth renderings from some of the best in the field: people such as Kenneth Ring, Michael Sabom, Arvin Gibson. I don't know about you, but I am heartened at the quality of material that has been surfacing recently. Check out the website of Lynnclaire Dennis (she's a fellow experiencer and wrote the book, The Pattern). She has been able to link up with scientists and a computer expert to present what she saw during her near-death episode in an animated program that illustrates the geometry of what she calls
"The Pattern." I congratulate her for staying the course all the years it took to produce this program. Her website is: http://www.pattern.org Perhaps her efforts will inspire other near-death experiencers to do the same. I would also call your attention to Jeffrey Spender Wickstrom, a child experiencer, who, once grown, developed an interactive CD-Rom version of his near-death episode - one that viewers can experiment with different endings and different "heavens" (based on the tradi- tional views of other cultures). He is currently seeking funding to take this project nationwide. His story and contact information is in the Idiot's Book, or on my website (www.pmhatwater.com) in the "Marketplace" section (a free listing I offer to experiencers and those like them to promote their videos, services, and special projects). Yes, indeed, we have a new millennium and new vigor, and a new Board at IANDS that inspires us all with their vision and dedication. As for me, I have been researching near-death states full-time since 1978, and have been actively involved with IANDS since June of 1981 - soon after their inception as the organization they are today. Although I will continue with some aspects of research in the future, I see myself changing focus. I feel a deep need to become personal and open in how I approach things. Myriam did that for me. We lost our granddaughter, Myriam, just before Christmas. She was 2 years old, sick one day with bacterial meningitis and dead the next. There were so many manifestations, dreams, visitations, thousands of people affected by this one child, that I feel a need to write about it - about death. Interestingly, for the last four months, I have received more e-mail messages and letters from people dealing with the death of a loved one than I have about my work with near-death experiences. It is time for me to come out and say the things I could never do as a researcher. It is time for me to speak from my heart. How long I continue this column depends on you, dear reader. Let IANDS know your wishes in this regard, and I will pray about it. We'll see.
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