Just then I felt myself lift from the bed. My eyes were open and I could see myself getting closer to the ceiling.  Funny enough, the only thought that came into my head at that time is "I'm going to hit the ceiling" and I screwed up my eyes and pulled in my body expecting an impact but instead of hitting the ceiling I burst into thus brilliant bright light of golds and silver ( I can only use these words as the nearest earthly description of where I was however, the intensity of the colors and feeling I describe are much more in strength, color and intensity than words can say. Take the brightest light and multiply it many times. The warmest feeling and multiple it etc) I felt cocooned in this wonderful warmth, softness and peace ( I imagine it is how a baby would feel in its mother's womb.

Just as I was looking around me in wonder I heard a voice but the voice spoke to my mind, and I answered with my mind. No words were verbally spoken.

The voice ( which I instinctively trusted and loved) said " you can carry on if you want to".

I suddenly got a mental picture of my child being alone and the voice said "if you want to go, you will have to go now because evil things can enter you body ( I knew he meant the body I'd left behind).

In that moment I felt panic for the first time.  Panic that I had to go back to my child and with in a second I felt a whizz like feeling as I was pulled back.

I didn't go straight back into my body but rather hovered over it for a moment before slowly settling back into it. It was like putting your foot into a shoe and you wriggle you foot around inside it until it fits in properly. That's how I reentered my body.

I looked at my clock and no time had passed.

I found it very hard to share my experience but I told my mum straight away because I knew, from that moment that death was not to be feared and I wanted her to also know that she had nothing to fear.

When my father passed away in 2009, I waited for him to see is family, I began to worry because he didn't seem to have seen family who had died before but I was so sure I would although I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want him to be scared.

Sure enough, a few days before he passed, he told me he'd seen him dead mother by the bed, waiting for him.

Before my experience,  I had serious doubts about life after death. I laughed at those who wrote about experiencing out of body experiences and put them down as being mentally unbalanced or using hallucinogenic drugs. I never bothered reading about their experiences because I thought it a waste of my time.

However,  I no it was I who was the ignorant one before my experience and it was me who was wrong. I've never used any drugs and I don't drink alcohol. I am of sound mind and work as a teacher and studied science at the university.

I remember my experience today, as clearly as when I first had it 

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?   No   

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?   Higher and stronger than it is when I'm in my earthly body

Was the experience dream like in any way?   Not in the slightest. It was more real than life here on earth.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   Uncertain   I don't really understand the question.

My thoughts, personality existed outside of my body. My body being left behind like a shell.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?    Warmth, safety,  happiness but stronger and more intense than how I would feel them here on earth. Consequently when I felt fear of leaving my child, that fear was also stronger than I've ever felt.  Many emotions that have no words that could even begin to describe them.

Its like only ever seeing and knowing the names of three colors and then one day, going somewhere and seeing dozens of colors for the first time, and not having the words to describe them

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?    A mans voice speaking into my mind

Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    Yes    I don't know if it was heaven bit it was an incredibly amazing peaceful comforting place of warmth and color. Very much like I imagine a child would feel in the womb. Safe.

Did you see a light?    Yes    Just amazing gold and silver like lights that was all around me but did not hurt my eyes or blind me

Did you meet or see any other beings?    Yes    I didn't see the man, but I knew he was there. I sensed him close, I knew it was a man and I heard his voice. I felt safe from him as if I knew him but I don't know why I had those feelings

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    Stronger. I was more alive and everything I possessed such has sight, hearing, emotions and feelings were stronger and better

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

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes    Well yes, I know we go somewhere else after death and we do not die.

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    I was told I could go on and I understood that meant my body would die and I would not be able to return to it. I also know I was given a choice to stay or go back and the man could read my thoughts and see the pictures I had in my mind of my child and my fear or leaving her without my even telling him, he knew.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?    No   

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes    There is something higher than us, someone or many beings who know us and watch over us and there is life after death. And death is simply returning home.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?    It hasn't really changed my life except I now have belief in an afterlife.       

Have you shared this experience with others?    Yes    It took me a long time to tell anyone.  I was concerned they would think I was dreaming or lying or had some mental or drug/alcohol issues but I then began to think that others had a right to know.

Sadly, most disbelieved me except for my family

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   Best was the emotions and feeling of warmth and security.

Worst was thinking I might have to stay and leave my child

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?    No

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?    No     I do not have the words to fully explain my experience. How can something so unearthly and superior be adequately explained with earthy words?