EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION 7828:

This experience happened around 1997 when I was in my early thirties and I was at home painting (I am an artist), and was looking after my two young sons. I was doing typical household duties, such as vacuuming. I very suddenly I got extremely tired, felt compelled to lay down. As I lay on the bed, my body became very heavy, virtually paralyzed. As my eyes were closed, I relinquished myself to whatever was going to happen next. I both heard and  felt a loud drumbeat, or thunderclap, and I was instantaneously flying in a Northwest direction toward the Rockies from my home, gliding over green hills and ridges toward a mountain where there was an enormous tree with an incredibly large canopy. Everything was quiet, and seemed to be lit from within with jewel like precision, sort of transparent, like how Salvador Dali painted The Last Supper. Beneath this tree (which was larger than any California Redwood), there stood  two Native men, one on each side of the tree. I didn't know these men, but they seemed to know me, and they wanted me to remember what I was seeing and what they were saying to me, although words were not necessary where I was. There was this huge red cliff behind the tree and it was full of holes. They said the holes represented youth who had not realized their potential � I understood they were referring to youth who had committed suicide. They told me 'you know what to do about this; you can bring down this barrier.' Then I was back, and I didn't know what to make of the experience. It was completely real. Later, I did research and found out that the two men were holy First Nations men from the 1800s: Black Elk, a Sioux visionary, and Walking Buffalo (George McLean) a former Chief of the Nakoda First Nation. Since that time, I have become a teacher, and have worked with many troubled youth, and reconciliation with the mainstream and First Nations community. I also find myself helping with the initiative to rename Harney Peak in South Dakota to Black Elk Peak, and have completed a wax model of Black Elk to be a monument on the Peak, not far from Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Below are portraits I did of both men how they looked (roughly) in my vision. I say vision, because I cannot say whether it was an OBE, NDE, or what.

                                                                            

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Uncertain  My body grew very heavy, very quickly. I was compelled to lie down. From there, the body felt gripped in paralysis, and I just went with the flow.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    When I was communicating without words with the two men under the tree.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      More consciousness and alertness than normal   Things were quiet, other than the drumbeat or thunderclap that released me from my body. Although I am scared of heights in this life, I enjoyed flying, and gliding over the hills and valleys. Everything had a lit up from within quality, best described as a painter by Vermeer's jewel like depiction of ordinary objects. Also the figures were semi- transparent and jewel like, like the figures in Salvador Dali's Last Supper.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Everything is visually of the highest definition. Every blade of of grass is jewel-like. It is very quiet, and very tranquil.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   My everyday hearing isn't very good, but I don't remember their being any sound. It was very quiet, like swimming underwater. Words weren't necessary. I was being shown something.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   I was tranquil, I enjoyed the experience. These men were showing me something I could do something about, but there was never guilt. I have worked on this problem because I WANT to go back there again, and see if I have made any impact on the rock wall of youth potential.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   Everything was composed of transparent, jewel like colours. The highest possible definition television, with the feeling of security, love and understanding.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
Two beings, who I would find out later through a series of events who they were. Nicholas Black Elk, was on the left of the tree, slightly hunched with a staff, and his hair was long, unlike the photos you see of him where is hair is short. He was somber, sad and serious, I suppose because he was showing me this sad red cliff behind this great tree. On the right was a smiling man wearing Buffalo horns, who I would learn was a man named Walking Buffalo, who was a chief and leader who lived close to where I do.

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   Yes   Black Elk is a noted Holy man and also a Catholic Catechist, and Walking Buffalo was a Nakoda Chief, leader who traveled the world with a group called the Moral Rearmament movement.

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   Yes  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm


Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
I was caught up in the whole thing, in that I didn't seem to remember or care that I had two sons who were doing whatever they were doing in the house at the time.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   Yes
Behind the enormous tree, there was a tall mountain, cliff wall barrier that was red an full of holes. It stretched as far as the human eye could see, into the clouds. I understood that the holes in the cliff represented young lives being cut short.

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (�life after death�)?   Yes   It was completely up to me whether I wanted to work with the youth to eliminate this barrier or not. At no time did I feel that I was 'a chosen one,' or anything like that. There also was no guilt trip. It was just completely obvious that I was in a place that I want to return, and I have and continue to WANT to work on this, and at the same time, enjoy my life here.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain   I don't know about God or a Supreme being. Maybe I would if I went past that barrier.  Native Americans refer to 'The Great Mystery,' or 'The Great Mysterious,' as it is unknowable perhaps.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   Yes, reading up later on what I saw, particularly this big tree, I understand that it is central to many of the world religions symbolically, and it was central to Black Elk's Vision in how he related it to author John Neihardt in the book Black Elk Speaks.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   Yes   Yes. The tree of life, or understanding was in full bloom. That youth are in despair in this world and ending their lives prematurely without reaching their potential is the saddest thing of all. This was primarily a red cliff, which I took to mean that the First Nations children are suffering worst of all. I can use my talents to do what I can about it, but I don't get overwhelmed about it, because I am one person with problems just like the next, and I feel that we are meant to be ourselves and just by having the courage to do so, we will allow ourselves to have a full, productive, mostly enjoyable life. Also, since you don't have a gut, you don't have the feeling of dread, upset, shame, etc. in your gut.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Yes   Yes. The tree of life, or understanding was in full bloom. That youth are in despair in this world and ending their lives prematurely without reaching their potential is the saddest thing of all. This was primarily a red cliff, which I took to mean that the First Nations children are suffering worst of all. I can use my talents to do what I can about it, but I don't get overwhelmed about it, because I am one person with problems just like the next, and I feel that we are meant to be ourselves and just by having the courage to do so, we will allow ourselves to have a full, productive, mostly enjoyable life. Also, since you don't have a gut, you don't have the feeling of dread, upset, shame, etc. in your gut.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   That realm is made of light and love.

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Yes   I know that it is important to somehow find the courage to be yourself, face life soberly so that you will feel the clues and deliver your lines to the script of your life, which is by the way, every genre on Netflix. Even writing this demands me to step out of the shadows and state my truth.

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Before the experience, I read a lot about NDE's. I even talked to Ken Ring about them, and did a painting based on the first NDE account that was told to him. I was completely surprised to have this experience, and have not had one since. I don't really need or want to have an experience like this again as I feel it might take away a little bit of fun from my life, as I do feel like a kid that has peeked at a present before receiving it.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of th   I don't remember the exact day, month, or year, or even other life events that were going on at the time. I think of the vision every day, and if I'm being effective and true to myself, while being a responsible husband, father, son, etc.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I know I will return to a different realm. I get impatient when I feel that I am not on the right path for me, and try to summon the courage to make the next move (such as writing this). I am more conscious of being in the moment at all times, and realizing that even the negative moments are significant and essential to my learning and growth as a person.

My experience directly resulted in:   Moderate changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Uncertain   I became more interested in First Nations Cultures. I noticed and cultivate a closer relationship and appreciation of nature. Animals, pets, plants, etc., think and feel far more that we give them credit for.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Uncertain   I don't think so. Probably, I am more sensitive, empathetic and instinctively feel what people are feeling (that which is unspoken, or the subtext), through body language, etc.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     The whole experience has served as a guide for many of my decisions, especially in what kind of work I do, that is, if my work is aligned somehow to the vision, I am happier.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  I shared it with my family, and it was in a local magazine a few years back. Some don't know what to make of me, some think it's cool. For First Nations people, generally, they were the most supportive, as this is a normal and accepted thing. It really doesn't make any difference to me what anyone thinks of me, or the vision I had, as it is my path.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   I felt euphoric and special after it happened. As time went on, I learned who the people in the vision were, and of course, being a portrait artist, I did paintings of them both. I settled back into everyday reality, as lackluster, drab, and limited as it feels.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   I think it was important for me to experience, as I had a big hunger for what my purpose here is. I needed to peek at my present, because I needed some guidance.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Uncertain   I have been a part of many First Nations ceremonies, and many unexplainable interactions with nature occurred. There is something to the respect and dialogue that their culture has with nature that we can all learn from.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No     

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes  

Experience description 6817:   

I was in my early thirties and I was at home painting (Artist) and looking after my two young sons. I was actually vacuuming while they were down for a nap. Suddenly I got extremely tired, and felt like I needed a nap as well, so I lay down on my bed. What was weird is that my body became very heavy, paralyzed I would say - and my heartbeat became a loud drumbeat and then a thunderclap, which separated my essence from my body. Although I was just consciousness, and had no body, I could see much more clearly than usual and saw everything from an eagle's vantage point, rapidly flying over green ridges toward a mountain, Northwest from my home toward the Rocky Mountains where I flew toward an enormous tree with two aboriginal men, one on each side of the tree. Everything here was in much more vivid color, lit up from within, I would say. Kind of like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz when she goes from a drab black and white world to Technicolor.

I didn't know these men but they knew me, and they wanted me to remember what I was seeing and what they were saying to me (although words were not necessary where I was.) There was this huge red cliff behind the tree and it was full of holes. They said the holes represented youth who had not realized their potential  -  I understood they were referring to youth who had committed suicide.

They told me, 'you know what to do about this; you can help eliminate this barrier'. Then I was back, and I didn't know what to make of the experience. It was completely real. Later, I did research and found out that the two men were holy First Nations men from the 1800s: Black Elk, a Sioux visionary, and Walking Buffalo (George McLean) a former Chief of the Nakoda First Nation. I don't recall re-entering my body - only waking up, and wishing I could go back there for awhile. It wasn't a dream, as I dream a lot, and a regular dream has a surreal, fuzzy quality. This was crystal clear.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?         No      

Was the experience difficult to express in words?   No      

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    More consciousness and alertness than normal    As soon as I left my body.            Obviously, one is weighed down with a clumsy, heavy, inefficient body day-to-day. This was completely light and clear, and no anxiety (I was flying, and I am normally scared of heights).

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    I had great vision at the time, not so much now, as I need reading glasses. As I am a painter (artist), I would say that it goes beyond HD - the closest to it now these days would be movies like Avatar and Life of Pi in 3D, minus everything lit from within, with emotion (love, understanding).

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    I don't recall hearing anything after the thunderclap. The men communicated through thoughts or suggestions to me. They knew me, and everything about me.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?    No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Peace, freedom  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?           No      

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes     Everything in the landscape, including the men, lit up from within.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?            I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin    Two men, who I learned later in this life were Black Elk and Walking Buffalo. They talked to me through their thoughts. They had a job for me to do, but their was no guilt attached. it was entirely up to me whether I wanted to do it. Of course, I did, because of what I was experiencing.

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?         Yes    As I am white, I had no relation to either of these men - but I always had an interest in Native Americans and their culture. I had started meeting some local native people and painted their portraits previous to this experience.

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?    No      

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?          A clearly mystical or unearthly realm            The hills I flew over, the tree, the huge red cliff, and the men were incredibly sharply focused in color. Since I am an artist, I am able to mix any color, but everything in this realm is of spirit, so it is lit from within, seemingly of every color.

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?     Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning            The vision should have lasted anywhere from a twenty seconds to a few minutes. Time really didn't have any relevance, as it seemed to have been a learning experience that was set up for me.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?            No      

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Yes     I got the feeling that the huge red cliff behind the men that extended higher than one could look was a barrier between this world and the next. As the red cliff 'was crying,' in that it had holes in it that didn't go through. The holes represented youth in this realm that were committing suicide and ending their lives prematurely. The men suggested to me through thought that everything would be much better, and this cliff should disappear when youth began to reach their potential here on earth.

Did you come to a border or point of no return?       I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was "sent back" against my will I would have liked to stay longer - but they showed me what they wanted me to see, and I awoke.

Did scenes from the future come to you?       No      

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?        Yes     Yes, I became a teacher after this experience, and have helped and I think prevented young people from taking their lives. I have also finished writing a screenplay that is about the poet John Neihardt's important meeting of Black Elk. I teach some of Walking Buffalo's great, great grandchildren at the high school I work at. I think that I am doing what they suggested that part of my job is.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   Moderate changes in my life  I was an artist, and became a teacher. I learned to pray, and with a pipe from local elders. I saw a Sundance, and the people were praying with their hands on a tree, like the one I saw. That religion makes the most sense to me, even though I am not interested in organized religion.       

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?    Yes     I am more careful with my words and actions, especially around children, as I know that I am setting an example.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?    Yes     I can tell how people are feeling and suspect what they might need.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?            Yes     Yes, it was in a newspaper a year after it happened, as I did paintings of my experience. It was also printed in a magazine a couple of years ago. Nobody has really said anything to me about it. My own family, wife and sons are supportive, but I really don't know what people think. I guess I don't really care what people think, either.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    Yes     I read a lot about them, and even made friends with Ken Ring. The knowledge gave me a context to understand the experience, yes.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:    Experience was definitely real    I think I told my wife. The experience kind of reaffirmed the track I was already on.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time: Experience was definitely real           It was an important lesson for me - I don't think that any of us really realize the enormous good impact that we can affect with our thoughts, words and actions.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes     I have a low tolerance for working for a boss or authority figure that is misusing their power or treating people unkindly. I will leave that working situation immediately. I would say that I was more of a pacifist before - but if there is a bully on my doorstep, I will fight them.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes    The local elders showed me again the importance of prayer, which I always knew as a kid, but forgot. I don't care for organized religion, or protocol. I am an artist, and a teacher, and although I see the need for authority, I don't like when it is misused, as we are all equal.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?  Yes    I did a painting of Black Elk, as he looked in my vision, and also of Walking Buffalo. They are both on my website.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?    Yes   

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     The whole experience has meaning, and so does every second of your life. Everything is a layered story, rich in metaphor.