Chip R's Experience
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Experience description:
This event happened some 30 years
ago. I passed out toward the end of a 5K race in very hot weather. I was pushing
too hard to catch up to a friend of mine. I had not hydrated properly. I
remember seeing the finish line ahead of me, and suddenly seeing the pavement
coming up at me as I fell. I was taken, unconscious, to a local hospital. When I
awakened, I was aware that I was in a hospital... lying in bed. Suddenly, I
levitated toward the ceiling and was able to look down upon myself and the scene
in the hospital room. I asked if I was dead. A nurse said that I had suffered
heat exhaustion during Al's Run and I was packed in ice with a high body
temperature. I was hyperventilating... and I needed to get my heart rate down. I
could remember my name, my birth date, and the names of my siblings, but could
not remember where I lived, nor the names of my wife and daughters. I 'came back
down' and started counting the holes in the ceiling tiles while consciously
slowing my breathing rate down. Eventually, my memory returned. But, while I was
lying there, another man was brought in. Same story. A few minutes later, he
asked if he was dead. Then, suddenly, I heard beeping and frenzied activity.
Later, before I was discharged, I asked about the other man, and was told that
he had suffered a heart attack. While briefly wondering if I had died, I was not afraid, but
felt very sad that I had not had the opportunity to say goodbye to the people I
loved. For awhile, I realized that the experience had provided an opportunity to
look at my life and loved ones in a different light... so in the short term, it
changed me. Eventually, I came to realize, however, that my life had changed
back to what it was before the incident. I thought that it might be good to
write about the transitions that I went through--before, during, immediately
after, and then the regression to my former self. Never did. I forgot about this 'lifetime experience,' until I watched a
program about out of body and near-death experiences, which renewed my interest
in learning more about them. I should mention that when I was in my early 20's I had
another out of body experience, while smoking pot with a group of people. My
memories are not as vivid--probably, because of my mental state-- but I do
recall levitating and looking down at all of us, in a circle... some, rocking
slowly, back and forth, and thinking how stupid it was.... So, in retrospect, I wonder if certain people are more
susceptible to these types of experiences, and why... perhaps, due to physical
or metaphysical make-up. If any experts can comment on this, I'd be very
interested. Did you have any changes of
attitudes or beliefs following the experience? Yes
The realization that I should be thankful for my family and friends.
Any associated
medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?
No
Was the kind of experience
difficult to express in words? No
At the time of this
experience, was there an associated life threatening event?
Uncertain I was admitted to a hospital, unconscious, after
passing out during a race (Al's Run) in very hot weather.
What was your level of
consciousness and alertness during the experience?
Dreamlike, but I was
conscious.
Was the experience dream
like in any way? Yes
Did you experience a
separation of your consciousness from your body?
Yes See write-up
What emotions did you feel
during the experience? Sadness, in an impersonal
kind of way
Did you hear any unusual
sounds or noises? No
LOCATION DESCRIPTION:
Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar
religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or
amazing creatures? No
Did you see a light?
No
Did you experiment while
out of the body or in another, altered state? No
Did you observe or hear
anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be
verified later? Yes One of the doctors was a friend
of my cousin's.
Did you notice how your 5
senses were working, and if so, how were they different?
Yes
Did you have any sense of
altered space or time? No
Did you reach a boundary or
limiting physical structure? No
Did you become aware of
future events? No
Were you involved in or
aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?
No
How has the experience
affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?
Detailed above
Has your life changed
specifically as a result of your experience? Yes,
but over time the effect waned.
Have you shared this
experience with others? Yes Most, were interested.
Maybe, they thought I'm flakey!
Is there anything else you
would like to add concerning the experience? I'd
like to hear about similar experiences, and/or the explanations for them
Following the experience,
have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which
reproduced any part of the experience? No
Did the questions asked and
information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your
experience? Yes