i then felt an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility and silence once i had accepted that i was going to die. abruptly the stabbing stopped and i saw my attacker looking beyond me as if someone else was there. it was at this point that i realized that i could escape, and fled. i also had the feeling that it was my nan and pop that were present at the time of the attack (they are deceased). i am not sure if this is called an nde, but cannot explain the feeling. it was like someone had flicked open a book and pages of my children were on the pages. it all happened within a second or two. the peace was amazing, just total acceptance that my life was going to end.

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

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           i was alert and conscious the whole time

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   yes

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

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           no, only silence

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes

time stood still, it was as if there was no time, even though i was only in this state maybe for 4-10 seconds.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes

yes, i kept hearing voices in my head, many voices, wanting to speak, which in the end drove me crazy until eventually i just shut them out. this went on for a month or so and have not returned.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes

i am currently studying social welfare and am in my final year. i am dedicated to social justice and a better humanity.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       i am more understanding of peoples pain, I seem to be able to feel their pain now and i live my life to the full. have embarked on a change of career (hence the studying) and have met my soul mate.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes

i know what i want out of life, i appreciate it so much more, i am capable of feeling more emotions than i have ever felt before and am a better person for it.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes, some were interested, but most just nod and agree that it was bizarre.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  i knew that my life needed to change and that there was a bigger picture for me, but i was experiencing post traumatic stress syndrome and started to abuse alcohol to cope with the memory of the attack. i have also had to confront many bad things i have done in my past and face up[ to the kind of person i was and change. i am now a totally different person than i was but still have a lot of work to do. my emotions are still a rollercoaster at times as i am remembering past events that have come back for me to deal with.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      worst part was losing that peaceful feeling and the best part was that i felt safe, not scared, just glad it was over (the stabbing and the fear of dying). once i had accepted i was going to die it was so so serene and peaceful. like a nothingness, or a void.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        yes, i am still not sure if this was an nde as i have been reading other accounts of peoples experiences and many have left their bodies etc.

could someone please email me with just a short explanation of what happened to me and where i might find material or reading on it.  also, is it common to find a soul mate after an event like this?

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