This was my only vision or direct contact with these 7 spiritual masters but over the next 25 years I have been receiving knowledge through dreams and intuitive contemplation that has produced a book on spiritual philosophy called, 'Path of the Golden Heart'. When I was reading the accounts of people who had had an NDE I began to realize that they were expressing the same kind of values that this book is explaining. From their experience they have a knowingness in the love that is present in the next life as well as a knowledge that we need to make this love a reality on Earth and in our community. These spiritual masters have made me a channel in which to reveal the spiritual laws that are working in our lives. Spiritual laws are like the laws of gravity, because it doesn't make any difference if you believe in gravity because it will affect all of us equally.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?   No   

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?   Yes    There were 7 white robed spiritual beings in this vision and there seemed to be some kind of initiation ceremony of which I really can't remember. I do remember that while these beings were in my consciousness there was a sacredness about this experience.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?   No   

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?   very alert and very conscious, almost super conscious

Was the experience dream like in any way?   It was not. I had a dream with these spiritual beings a few years later but in the dream I woke up the next morning and began remembering the dream. With the visionary experience I was totally conscious the entire time.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?    A mixture of fear, uncertainty, awe and confusion

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?    I was in their presence and aware of the thoughts that they wanted me to hear, their telepathic communication.

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?    Yes    These 7 spiritual beings were dressed in long white robes and although there was a sacredness in this moment, there was no light that called to my attention.

Did you meet or see any other beings?    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?   No   

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?    No   

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?    Yes    In one sense it seemed that there were a lot of things that transpired in this vision but when I try to remember how long it lasted I really have no sense of time. In reality it may have lasted for a few seconds or a minute, but it wasn't the amount of time, it was what happened during that time.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes    When it happened in 1991 it actually left me confused but as the years have gone by I have been able to keep piecing together the essence of this philosophy, I began calling it my cosmic jigsaw puzzle, because every piece had to fit together. This feeling continues to grow, to the point that I feel it is my responsibility to share this knowledge with anyone who is interested.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?    No   

Did you become aware of future events?    Yes    I began to have an inner awareness of how I needed to prepare my life for the future. I have a chiropractic clinic in Salvador, Brazil and many years ago, I realized the necessity of preparing someone to take over my clinic in the future. Since there are very few chiropractors in Brazil this left open few options. But as the years moved along a person appeared and I'm now semi-retired and in the process of sharing this philosophy, Path of the Golden Heart.

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?    No   

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?    Yes    I have taken several courses and workshops that have opened up my intuitive abilities but I would not attribute this directly to my visionary experience, but rather an inner search for more meaning in life.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes    I had been a member of a religious group called Eckankar for 15 years and shortly after this vision I left this group to study by myself.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?    Not directly, but over the course of 24 years I have changed a lot. I was very much a quiet and inner directed person. I read a lot and felt uneasy in groups. I am now becoming much more social and although I still have a fear of speaking to groups, this fear has dropped dramatically.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes    I had a nice comfortable life as a chiropractor in Brazil and now I'm living in the United States and trying to prepare myself as a lecturer and book writer. I'm definitely out of my comfort zone.

Have you shared this experience with others?    Yes    Some people have shown interest and a belief in what happened to me in this vision but very few people are able to comprehend the message that I am getting from this philosophy. It is frustrating because it seems so clear and logical to me but for some reason other people are reluctant to believe.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   There was the fear of having these 7 spiritual beings within my consciousness, but in contrast was the feeling of sacredness and awe.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?    I know that I am being used as a vehicle to present this knowledge, at the same time I have free will and it's me that has to decide on how to proceed in divulging this information. I'm still not comfortable in the role I'm playing as a kind of messenger for these spiritual beings and I realize that it's usually my ego that is keeping me from understanding the deeper aspects of love and developing spiritually.

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     I have written about this experience many times but your questionnaire helped me to identify some aspects that I had never before considered.