Experience description:

Three months short of my 15th birthday, I contracted hepatitis A from a Chinese restaurant. After several doctors' visits for vitamin shots, the doctor instructed my parents to hospitalize me. There was not much else they could do for it back then because there was no cure.  I was 70 lbs and not eating or drinking. I remember my mother pleading with my father to bring me to the hospital, but he refused. That same night, I suddenly woke up. I could feel something bumping into my head. I turned my head and found it was the canopy over my bed. I turned my head back, and was looking down on myself.  I was was not confusion as to what was going on. I remember wondering how my mom could put yellow pajamas on me, since my skin was such an ugly dark yellow.  The pajamas made it look worse.

I felt a warmth on the left side of my face. I turned my head and looked through the bedroom door at a bright, golden light. I thought it was the street light, but I could see that light as it was positioned lower then the golden light. It was so warm, so inviting, and such a safe feeling. I wanted to be in it. That thought seemed to move me to the floor. I started walking towards the light. I could now see there was a tunnel surrounding it. It was a long, blue, gray, and purple colored tunnel. There were small sparkles moving in a circular motion all the way down it. The colors were the same as the tunnel, but mixed with gold.  As I looked down it, I could see into the light. There were large trees and bushes with a dirt-like path. The trees were illuminated by the golden light.

Just before reaching the doorway, a large 'person' appeared in front of it. His head was above the door by almost half a foot. He grinned at me. I knew he intended to stop me, but I wanted to be in that light.  So, I tried to go around him.  He put out an arm to block me, so I tried to go around the other side.  He blocked me again. Then he put his right hand on my shoulder and turned me around. I was looking at my horribly thin body, so deeply yellowed that it was turning to a dark-brown shriveled body.  No way I was going back. I tried to push away from it, but he gave me a shove towards my body as he said, 'All will be well'.

The next thing I knew, it was morning. I sat up and was so hungry and thirsty. I had energy, was fully alert and knew I was healed. I never looked back. I finally told my mother this just a few years ago. This is the first time I have written some of it down.

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? Yes    Extremely ill, parent refused treatment to keep me alive.

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?      Incredibly clear and it felt like I had a computer for a brain.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  No.. Except maybe for the floating sensation. I was fully awake.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?  Yes    I was me, only I felt lighter, healthier, and with an extremely clear mind.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          I felt curiosity, confidence, peaceful, happy, upset and irritated when the person stopped me from going to the light.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?         I heard the canopy rubbing against my head.

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?        Yes   

Did you meet or see any other beings?         Yes   

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? Yes    All senses were there except for taste and smell. My senses were sharper.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  No     

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?         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?          Yes   

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience? Yes    I am more aware of my mental capabilities. I can 'read' people, I know there is more then what we physically perceive.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience? Yes    I know there is a greater being/beings. I don't follow any certain religion.  In fact, I do not follow anything man-made because I prefer to look for answers within.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?   Family thinks I'm a nut.  Since anything they say or think about me has zero effect on my life, I could care less. My mother is the only one who believes me.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes    Never take anything for face value. I know this life is only the beginning.

Have you shared this experience with others?       Yes          Immediate family, mother.

What emotions did you experience following your experience? Calmer is about it, but since then I view myself and others from a distance, hard to explain.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?          Best: experiencing the full capability of my mind.