Science and Metaphysics agree. The essence of all things is vibration. Science reveals that everything in the manifest universe is ultimately composed of packets of energy; quantized units vibrating at specific frequencies. Esoteric wisdom reveals that in the beginning, all things were created through sound (i.e. vibration); whether it be the "OM" of Eastern mysticism or the "Word"/Logos of Western spirituality.

Our thoughts, feelings and actions also have their own particular rates of vibration. These vibrations will set up resonance with whatever possesses identical frequency. In other words, your thoughts are inseparably connected to the rest of the universe.

This is why it is so essential to be a close observer of yourself. As you think, feel and act, so you create the primary vibration of your being. This fundamental vibration then creates resonance with identical vibration frequencies in the universe. The result is an attraction of circumstances, people, challenges and opportunities in exact vibrational resonance with your own dominant vibration frequency.

This principle lies at the heart of visualization techniques, affirmations and the whole personal development movement. When you visualize and repeat affirmations, you are helping to tune your very being to a specific vibrational frequency on the inner planes. Once that task is achieved, your mind comes into vibrational resonance with the object of your desires. Being now of the same frequency, this object (or goal) is inevitably attracted into your life.

However, for such methods to work, it does imply that you have changed your core vibration. This is very often the problem AND explanation as to why such techniques seem to fail for so many people. Over the course of many years, your inner conditioning is created from the habitual thoughts, feelings and actions that you engage in. This forms your self-image and creates the level of self-esteem you feel. It shapes the way you conceptualize the world you live in, as well as
the way you respond to it. It is how you interpret your life experiences.

If a person simply mouths affirmations or writes goals out, without having touched the deep bedrock of their long-term conditioning, such activities will not have much effect. This is because the dominant vibration has not changed. You cannot go against what yourself-image, and your predominant conditioning, say you are.

Thought is where it all begins. As your conscious mind dwells habitually on thoughts of a certain quality, these become firmly imbedded within the subconscious mind. They become the dominant vibration. This dominant vibration sets up a resonance with other similar vibrations and draws them into your life. This is easier to understand if you consider that from the metaphysical view, the whole universe IS MIND.

Hence, to draw what you wish into your life, you should begin with the mind, and make it your primary focus. Most people do things the other way around, and come up with practical techniques to generate their desires, and then go out and try them. However, when these methods are not in tune with your dominant vibration, then you will have great difficulty making the desired results come to pass. You will also feel most uncomfortable if they do. You have trained your mind in a certain way, you have set the thermostat at a certain level, and now you are trying to exceed the limits you have set upon yourself by sheer force.

The trap most people fall into is that they condition their future with expectations from their past. It's like driving with your eyes fixed on the rear view mirror the whole time. You cannot see where you are going because you are too busy looking back on past history.

Is it any wonder that, for most people, the future DOES closely resemble the past?!

The problem is that, by focusing continually on what you have become as a result of past conditioning, you guarantee that you draw this same dominant vibration into the future. This is also why your desired future can seem so far away from you. It is vibrating at an alien frequency and hence, in a real sense, it IS very far away.

Instead, you have to first change the dominant vibration within. Once your dominant vibration is in harmony with what you seek, the latter must literally be "attracted" to you without excessive striving! It will seem easy in comparison to what came before. In a very real sense, you have to become what you seek on the inside before you can ever have it in physical reality.

There are several ways to gradually change the dominant vibration of your inner being, and begin to resonantly attract what you seek. One important thing to do is to have a clear vision of your life as you want it to be; completely independent of the circumstances of your present or past. Lack of absolute clarity about their desired future could well be the number one reason why people fail in life.

You are creating something new from the universal intelligence, and drawing it into your reality. You do NOT have to base this upon the past, your perceived weaknesses, or anything else that derives from your limited self-image.

A good way to gain clarity is to write down in detail the attainment of what you seek. What would it look like? How would you feel if you achieved it? What difference would it make to your life? It may take you days, or even weeks, to create this vision, but it is time well spent.

By creating a vision of your desired state and putting energy into it regularly, you use mind power to shape the very stuff of creation. You create this imagined "reality" in your mind to the point where your subconscious actually believes it to be physical reality and goes about making it so. It will attract the circumstances, the people, and the opportunities you need to bring about the vision you have created.

If you are doubtful about this, consider for a moment that you are doing this anyway. The only difference is that you may be unaware you are doing it. If so, your overall vibration is incoherent, and hence your results fluctuate wildly. By becoming conscious, you take conscious control of the creative process and can learn to manifest at will.

Another way to change your vibration rate is to act "as if". If you had already attained what you seek, how would you think and act?

Well, start thinking and acting that way right now. Again, this helps to impress the dominant vibration you choose upon your subconscious mind. Again, you have been doing this all your life anyway. Simply take conscious deliberate control of the process from now on. For instance, Cary Grant is known to have said:

"I acted like Cary Grant for so long, I became him."

Taking time to meditate regularly on the truth that all is vibration, seeing this reality in all its myriad guises, will also help reinforce it upon your mind - both conscious and subconscious. You will begin to believe it, and what you believe is what you act upon.

The reason most people achieve very little in comparison to what they are capable of is because they have no vision for the future whatsoever. Focused, single-minded concentration upon a vision you seek to create is what will actually cause it to happen. You have to read your description every day (preferably twice or more), and then vividly imagine it. Begin to live that reality now in your mind's eye, and you make its future manifestation all the more rapid. Do not even worry about how it will happen. Just do your part and let the universe, through the law of vibration, do the rest.

Dr. Asoka Selvarajah is an active author/researcher on personal development and esoteric spirituality. Asoka's work helps people achieve their full potential, deepen their understanding of mystical truth, and find joy in their true soul's purpose.

Fact - we do create our own reality primarily, individually, then in mass. Most do see that as true. We were given that by the creator of All That IS, or God if you prefer. The ultimate and unlimited power of creativity in this world. It is called Free Will.

Fact - thought is EVERYTHING. Thought is the process we utilize to create reality. Speech is the creative "force" that manifests that reality into Being. You ARE what you think you are. For as you believe so shall it BE.

Fact- There has been a change in consciousness, the awakening has indeed arrived, the human experience will never be the same again. We are at the threshold of forever, as one has said the next level. And It, IS, SO. Whether you believe that or not, doesn't matter. It will not change now. There will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein there should be time no longer. A world without sickness, disease or the aggressive nature man developed in the "beginning" of time.

Yes we DO indeed create our own reality. So how far can you take that? I say, as far as you want! It IS your choice for ultimately it's YOU who creates your tomorrows.

Look around you! What are the masses creating in these days? Can you afford to allow this to be your world? But you are NOT of this world nor AM I. Yes, we are in the world but we are not OF this world. You

ARE different and you know that. Truly you are a "new creation". Behold! All things become new, old things are passed away. You see things that are not, as though they WERE. Peace is what you see. Not the peace this world speaks of but peace of mind. For that IS your inheritance.

Therefore say I, be not conformed to this world but be ye translated, "transformed" by the renewing of your MIND to know what that good and acceptable perfect will of God IS.

YES, I say, there has been a change of consciousness, The mind is renewed daily. Even on this physical plain. So how could you ever go back to those limiting thoughts?

The only thing I would like to add from a personal standpoint, is that you can not and should not try to use your "mind power" to interfere with the free will of another person. I'm not implying that this article says to do this, but some individuals get the idea that this is possible and then become disappointed when it doesn't happen, therefore, thinking the process doesn't work.

This technique should be used for yourself and nothing more. Use it to improve your life...if you do that, everything else will follow. You will attract the vibration you send out Like attracts like. Self work is most important during this time. Figure out who you are and what you want. What you believe to be reality will be your reality. This is true in our physical 3-D world and in the other realms. It is always your choice What you want is what you will receive. Be aware of your thoughts, hopes and dreams....Make your reality what you want it to be!!!

Cara's NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

            After a craniotomy, my body clinically hovered between 
life and death for two days. My spirit left the body at that time. I 
looked down at my body, and although it wasn't a pretty sight, I was 
not concerned. I perceived it to be a vehicle, which carried me 
through the earth school. I was in a place of love, kindness, 
compassion, contentment, acceptance, joy...a place of "knowing". I 
perceived myself and other beings as masses of energy...all connected 
and yet separate. There were no body forms, or communication as I 
know it in human form.

There was simply a sense of all knowing. Each and every spirit being 
was supportive of each other, and I "knew" them, although they didn't 
have the same forms as when I knew them on the earth school. There 
were no limitations such as space or time in the spirit world. I was 
aware of the big picture regarding the past, present and future. I 
was aware that the earth school experience was one part of my 
evolution. There was a review of my life in this body, and also my 
past lives. I was the judge as to the benefit and value of each 
experience. They all seemed very interconnected, and yet separate. 
There was a focus to each life experience, and all the experiences 
contributed to an end result. I didn't want to come back to the earth 
school, and after some deliberation with the other beings of energy, 
including the God being, or large mass of energy, we decided that 
coming back would serve the greater good. I had a choice, and yet the 
choice seemed to be made in unity with the other beings. I also knew 
that if I didn't come back at this time, in this body, I would return 
to the earth school in another body, to finish what I was here to do. 
Before the experience, I didn't believe or disbelieve in 
reincarnation. Now I am sure that I have had many reincarnations. 
When I came back into the body, I was content. It felt like my spirit 
was cuddling back into a warm comfortable place. At that time, the 
body clinically stabilized. First, I was not expected to live. When I 
lived, my family and I were told that I would never function 
"normally" again.

I don't function "normally" according to conventional wisdom! I have 
lived life as an observant adventurer, and although I have always 
been on a path of discovery, the out of body experience intensified 
and reinforced all of my beliefs prior to the experience. It opened 
up more channels in the heart and mind. As with a radio. If we leave 
it on the same channel all the time, we will probably hear the same 
type of music, and the same slant on news casts all the time. If we 
change the channel occasionally, we may hear something different:>)
Although I shared my Near Death Experience with 100's of people in 
classes at the Univ. of Vermont, this is the first time I've 
connected with the Near Death Experience web site, and just learned 
something interesting. Dr. Melvin Morse states the there is a "God 
Spot" in the right temporal lobe, which "acts as a transmitter and 
receiver of the universal mind...we can actually learn to stimulate 
this part of our brains in a number of ways besides near death or 
active dying". My injury was to the right temporal lobe. Perhaps it 
was "stimulated" rather than damaged...interesting:>)

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes    The 
experience was beyond my beliefs at the time. I do not have the words 
in the English language to adequately describe the experience. I 
equate it to witnessing an event or ritual in another culture/
language, and coming back to my culture/language and try to describe 
what I experienced.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life 
threatening event?          Yes    Fractured skull, severed artery 
causing bleeding on the brain.

I had also been diagnosed with cancer.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of 
consciousness and alertness?    I was at the highest level of 
consciousness and alertness when I was out of the body in the spirit 
world. Even when I returned to the body, and the human form was still 
unconscious, I was at a higher level of consciousness than in a 
"normal" human conscious state.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the 
experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and 
alertness?    More consciousness and alertness than normal

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the 
experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and 
alertness, please explain:            I was at the highest level of 
consciousness and alertness when I was out of the body in the spirit 
world. Even when I returned to the body, and the human form was still 
unconscious, I was at a higher level of consciousness than in a 
"normal" human conscious state.

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision 
(in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, 
depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)? 
Yes    Regarding questions 6, 7, and 8:

During the OBE in the spirit world, there were no limitations, 
judgments, or comparisons of any kind. Everything was definitely 
different, expanded, and not "normal" according to conventional human 
wisdom. But...it was so much more "normal" on another plane, I feel 
more "at home" there, then I do here.

I have often felt like I'm in a foreign land on this school.

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing 
(in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of 
sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?
            Yes    As I stated previously, everything was more 
expanded, more clear. I didn't have "hearing", or "vision" as I know 
it here. There was a sense of all knowing without limitations. The 
way we (humans) "normally" see and hear on this earth school is 
limiting.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your 
body?    Yes

What emotions did you feel during the experience?           
Everything and nothing. I didn't "feel" the same way I "feel" as a 
human. Our feelings, as humans, are sometimes limited to what we know 
on this plane. There were expanded "feelings" that I cannot even 
begin to describe.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No       
Regarding questions 13 and 14:

We can only choose one on this form. That is limiting:>)

I felt peace, pleasantness, relief, calm, joy, happiness and much, 
much more:>)

Did you see a light?          Yes    I saw a light, but not as we 
know it in human form. Again, our perception of light is limited to 
what we know on this earth school.

Did you meet or see any other beings?          Yes    There were 
many beings. We communicated by ESP. I use that term because it's the 
closest I can come to the type of communication I experienced. To say 
"where they were" would be limiting. They were everywhere and nowhere.

I recognized the beings, and they were all supportive of my journey 
both in the spirit world and earth school.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    Yes     
Regarding #20:

Definitely did not "see" any religious figures...didn't want to!

The spirit beings were definitely not "deceased". They were very much 
alive, and in another form. The spirit who was my mother in this 
lifetime, who passed over from human form about a year before my NDE, 
was present. She has been a spirit guide for me in many incarnations, 
and has accompanied me in physical form as well.

Regarding #21:

I experienced a review of all past lives.

I became more content and accepting of this life experience. I have 
dabbled in many different activities throughout this life time, 
including several different careers, several different sport 
activities on competitive levels,

extensive travel to remote areas, performing arts, etc. Sometimes, I 
felt like I wasn't focused enough to stick with one interest. With 
the review of my life experiences, I learned that all the activities 
were/are all interconnected, and served a valuable learning opportunity.

Regarding #22: Reviewing my past lives was an incredible, 
educational, experience, which I had the choice to view or not. I was 
very much in control of everything that happened in the NDE. I 
believe the feeling of control came from my willingness to be open to 
the process.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during 
your experience that could be verified later?          Yes    During 
the OBE, I was also aware of what was happening in the ICU room where 
my body was. As I said before, there was a sense of all knowing and 
an expanded awareness of all that is.

When I was able, I visited the ICU and the people who cared for me 
when the body resided there. The director of ICU showed me the room I 
was in. It was empty and set up differently than when I was there. 
When I was in the room, the bed was moved to accommodate the machines 
and instruments that were brought in to keep me alive in the two days 
the body hovered between life and death. The director was surprised 
when I told him how the room was set up. I was unconscious...how did 
I know that? I saw it from above:>)

I also got copies of my medical records because I wanted to see what 
was happening clinically with the body at certain times. That's how I 
knew the body was between life and death for two days. The body would 
stabilize, then decline, then stabilize again...etc. etc. At the same 
time (although there is no time limit in the spirit world) I was 
deciding whether or not I wanted to come back. At first I wanted to 
leave the body and stay in the spirit world. As I said, there were 
negotiations with the other spirit beings, and I decided, with their 
support and encouragement to come back to this body.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive 
locations, levels or dimensions?            Yes    Definitely 
another dimension, for which there is no description in human 
language...at least English:>)

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  Yes    Regarding 
#25:

The space I was in was very familiar, and didn't seem strange at all. 
It seemed more "normal" than the earth school...more like home:>)

Regarding #26:

It was "altered" only in the sense that there were no boundaries or 
limitations of time or space...difficult to describe.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order 
and/or purpose?    Yes    I had a sense of all knowing...a 
knowledge of the past, present and future...the big 
picture...universal order and purpose.

I know that everything is very well choreographed. Nothing is by 
chance. There are no coincidences. Although everything is well 
planned, we have a choice as to how we use the information. Everyone 
whose path we cross, for example, crosses our path for a reason. We 
have the choice to disregard the individual and the experience, and 
we have the choice to be open to the possibilities offered with the 
interaction. We have the choice to live every moment being aware and 
totally in the moment, or we can choose not to be totally in the 
moment, which a lot of folks do in our society.

When I regained consciousness, after the injury and NDE, I received 
hundreds of cards, letter, notes, etc. Many of them stated: "you 
probably don't remember me, but five years ago, you said something to 
me and it changed my life...or 10 years ago you did this for me and 
it changed my life". I wasn't doing anything special for these folks. 
I was simply being kind, and being in the moment with them...saying 
or doing something they needed at the time. I was reminded that 
EVERYTHING we say and do has an impact. EVERY moment is important. I 
have always remembered why I am here, and followed through on the 
mission to the best of my ability at any given time.

Re: #30:

Although it was not a sudden understanding, the NDE solidified what 
was in my heart from the moment I came to this earth school this 
time. I learned more about myself, others and the universe. You have 
limited us again by only allowing one choice on this form.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No      Re: 
#32: No limitations what so ever in my NDE and/or OBE

Re: #33: There was a decision to "return" to the earth school.

I cannot say there was a "conscious decision to return to life", 
because the other state of being is "life" too...on a much grander 
scale:>)

I did not experience any "point of no return".

As spirit beings, we can decide at any time where we want to be.

Did you become aware of future events?      Yes
            The awareness was/is very accurate. I do not retain all 
the information I experienced in the OBE. The human body/mind cannot 
contain the energy level needed to experience what we experience in 
the spirit state of being. The spirit state is at a higher energy 
level. It is as with electricity. A receptor for 110 volts will not 
accept 220 volts. We can, however, transcend human limitations by 
raising our energy level. As with electricity...we can get an 
adapter!!!:>) My interpretation of this concept is to knowingly allow 
a higher energy to flow through us. Again...as with electricity...if 
a human is shocked by electricity, which is not allowed to flow 
through, the body will probably be injured or die. However, humans 
can get shocked with electricity, and if it can flow through the 
body, they may not be injured. While working in a dentists office 
taking e-rays years ago, I was shocked with 220 volts of electricity. 
However, I had one hand on the head of the machine, and one hand on 
the body of the machine, so the energy flowed through, and although 
my arms felt different, there were no ill effects.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following 
the experience you did not have prior to the experience?    Yes     
To me everything is psychic, paranormal and special:>)

I did have another interesting experience where I definitely left the 
body.

I was dating a divorced man who had three teenage children. He and 
the 14yo girl were constantly battling. One evening, when I was 
frustrated with trying to mediate the situation on the spot, I left 
their house...saying "I can't do anything here". I went home, and 
went right to bed, even though it was only about 7:00 pm, I went 
directly to sleep. At about 10:00 (I checked later) the phone rang, 
and although I was still asleep, I felt like I slammed back into my 
bed. The man was in tears, and said he had just had the most loving 
insightful conversation with his daughter they ever had. And he 
thanked me for being with them. I knew I was in their space bringing 
the energy of love to the situation. When I came home and went to bed 
and to sleep, I was not conscious of what I was doing on a human 
level, but I was aware on a higher consciousness that I could do 
something on another level.

Have you shared this experience with others?        Yes    As I 
recall, it was about 2 years before I started sharing my experience. 
At first, I was confused by it, and skeptical, because it was 
something that was beyond my beliefs at that time. Because I 
sustained a brain injury, I thought for awhile I was just "not 
normal", which was the prognosis. A friend had a friend who was a 
sociology professor at the Univ. of Vermont, who was writing a book 
on the mind/body healing process, and was interested in speaking with 
me. (The healing process for me was very quick, considering the 
severity of the injury). We got together...he invited me to speak in 
his class...one of his associates invited me to speak in her 
class...etc. etc. I guest lectured at the Univ. for about 8 years. 
Reactions from students differed, of course. They were usually very 
accepting and open to a dialogue. I didn't "lecture", but rather, 
told a little of the basics of my story, and encouraged them to ask 
questions, or express their thoughts/feelings about the topic. We 
usually got into a great discussion. I also usually started the class 
by stating that I am simply sharing my experience and not trying to 
change anyone's beliefs. The feedback from the students was very 
good. They often said they were influenced in a positive way. The 
only thing I encouraged, was opening their hearts and minds to the 
idea. If we open our hearts to anything and everything, we KNOW our 
truth.

I've shared the experience with many friends. Primarily, I spoke 
about many different aspects of the experience in the Sociology 
classes at UVM called Death, Dying and Bereavement. The class uses 
the text by the same name, written by Michael R. Leming & George E. 
Dickinson.

Interestingly enough, the reason I checked into this web site for the 
first time, is because a friend is now questioning me about the 
experience. He wants to know what "evidence" I have to corroborate my 
story. How do I "KNOW" this really happened and is not just my 
imagination? Well, I told him my passport has been stamped by the 
spirits:>) And...I went on-line to see what, if any "evidence" I can 
point him to.

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

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to 
weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely 
real    The experience was always "real" to me (maybe more real than 
the earth school experience at times) but in the beginning, I was 
hesitant to mention it to anyone because I didn't want to reinforce 
the idea that I might be abnormal because of the brain injury. The 
first couple times I spoke at the Univ., I envisioned being blasted 
with rotten fruit for having such a silly idea...just kidding:>)The 
more I became comfortable with the experience and myself, the less I 
worry about what people are going to think of me or my ideas:>)

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially 
meaningful or significant to you?            EVERYTHING was and is 
meaningful. I stopped guest lecturing at the Univ. several years ago 
because I was bored with the story...it was old news after awhile! 
But today, as I write about it and revisit it again, new information 
comes to me, and it becomes meaningful and significant in a different 
way:>)

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:           
Experience was definitely real            See above

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your 
experience?          Yes    I am more clear about what I want in 
relationships. I no longer have the patience for complainers, or 
shallow conversations. My philosophies of life are "be what you want 
to see" and "if we're not part of the solution, we're part of the 
problem". I am very engaged in my life experiences and with the 
people around me.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a 
result of your experience?            No            I abandoned the 
Catholic religion many years before the NDE. As a child, I questioned 
many of the concepts that the Catholic church teaches. However, as a 
good Irish Catholic girl, I continued to go to church as directed by 
my parents. When I moved out of the house, I didn't go to church on 
Sunday, and spent the day waiting for the bolt of lightening that was 
going to strike me dead! Well, I made it through that Sunday, and 
every Sunday since:>)

After the NDE, I explored several different religions. Because of the 
NDE, I was trying to find out where I "belonged" on this earth 
school. I do not practice any religious dogma on a regular basis. 
When visiting other countries, I love participating in religious 
ceremonies, I sing in the local United church choir when invited, etc.

I am content with the realization that I am part of everything...and 
nothing:>)

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, 
medications or substances which reproduced any part of the 
experience?        No      Don't take meds or any substances for 
the purpose of enhancing the earth school experience. If drugged, I 
might miss something:>)

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the 
experience?        It was a gift:>)

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far 
accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         
Yes    Some of it.

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate 
your experience?  For the questions with choices, allow the writer 
to choose more than one.

This is so nice. I wish I could get a glimpse of my purpose, and loose all fear, without the death or pain. I guess that is part of the test, to develop these things here.

"We don't live in a world of reality, we live in a world of perceptions." Gerald J. Simmons

----- Original Message ----
From: tomerodrigues
To: C. D. Spencer
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 5:26:14 AM
Subject: S's NDE

S's NDE

NDERF Home

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I was doing veterinary work on a horse. The horse reared up and struck me directly with its front hoof hitting my head and face and arm, from defensive gesture. I fractured several facial bones, detached retina, fractured radius in arm. Was unconscious for a brief period. My experience during this period however seemed to take much more "time" if it were to occur strictly in this physical dimension.

I found myself suddenly above my body, looking down on the whole scene. I could see things that were outside the stall I was in even though that would have been impossible if I was seeing from where my body was. It was like looking down like a camera that has pulled up to see an expanded view of a scene. I became aware that there were 2 (possibly 3) "beings with me, one on either side.

They were communicating with me - directly, telepathically, just putting their input directly into my consciousness, no words and much less "time". I knew I was somehow removed from these usual "laws" or ways of processing experience. While I did not sense a life review on specific terms, I was shown, by understanding- not pictures or movies, many significant things in my life. The good and the bad. All focused on my contributions- how I handled myself. I remember the almost palpable absence of all fear. I was made to understand that this fear is what underlies many of our poor choices. That there is nothing to fear.

I felt compassion toward myself like I never could imagine possible. A type of love that I never knew. Empathy, sympathy for all I'd experienced and a new determination to let myself live as I could and should and must. I knew I had a clear purpose and was shown this purpose so I could understand how needed I was. I felt no pain. Not sure if I had a body or if my guides did, it didn't seem to matter. I was in contact with all information- total understanding of everything.

But what I connected with was just the importance of my life purpose. I saw the future (don't remember it) and even saw how difficult recovery would be from the accident but knew I would get through it which was all that mattered- for me to get on to do what I am meant to do.

And that I could only serve this purpose if I lost my fears- of rejection, not being liked for the stands I took, other people having control of things (only we do), etc. And then I could act out of pure love- no complications or compromises. Once I "understood all this" I found myself back in my body in excruciating pain. I also had the knowledge that these guides are always there when they are needed. They are the ultimate nurturers.

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

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes

What was it about the experience that makes it hard to communicate? hard to process it all. the sense that no one could really understand unless they had gone through it themselves

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

Describe: trauma to head and body

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience? unconscious physically, but more alert/conscious than I had ever experienced before or since. Like a window had been cleaned that you did not know was dirty until you saw the difference.

Was the experience dream like in any way? not at all

Did you experience a separation of consciousness from your body? Yes

Describe your appearance or form apart from your body: I did not notice but seemed to know it was different- I didn't care. It didn't matter. It seemed natural and familiar.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? pure love. empathy.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises? no

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure? No

Did you see a light? No

Did you meet or see any other beings? Yes

Describe: They sat to either side of me. Yes, I felt that I have always known them- felt connected in a deep way to them. Understanding, love, special ness of my being and my purpose. What I needed to do- not let fear creep back into my life so that it interfered with my acting out of pure love and doing what I am here to do.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life? Yes

Describe: Not a literal review but a review of feelings- good and bad. Yes, about how much fear is at the core of our mistakes. Yes, I can better recognize when that fear just starts to creep back in. I do a "self check" and make sometimes difficult decisions in order to remain true to my true being and act out of honesty and love, even when it causes problems.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later? Yes

Describe: I could see how the structure of the building was put together which you could not notice without great effort from down below. I went back much later and verified that this was real.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions? Uncertain

Describe: Not spatially but this pure love permeates in such a way it almost seems like its own level or dimension.

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

Describe: There is no way that I could receive this much information in the amount of time that had passed for my body. I felt somehow "expanded" but can't really explain that in words.

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

Describe: About the fear and that each of us has a purpose that is as critical as everyone else's- there are no "small or insignificant" lives- we are all connected. Like having a small role in a play- it might not be as noticeable as the lead but the play as a whole needs every player to do their specific and equally critical role.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No

Did you become aware of future events? Yes

Describe: I can't remember the specifics but when some thing happen today- especially when meeting certain people I get a feeling that this is part of one of the things that I saw.

Were you involved in or aware of a decision to return to the body? Yes

Describe: Yes, just that I had a renewed purpose and commitment to do what I am meant to do- to get on with it.

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

Describe: Electric feeling, like a low grade buzz in my hands when I work with patients and also interacting with people. It is hard for someone to misrepresent what they are all about with me- I can sense "good, love based people from bad, fear based ones" that are out to harm. Some precognition but of feelings, not specific details of events.

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

Describe: Yes, this sense of oneness. Of purpose much bigger than the here and now. Spiritual identity. I feel like a spiritual being who is on a human mission.

Has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices etc.? Career choices? I notice people. I help whenever I can. Even if it just means to tell a stranger they look nice. I am much more understanding in relationships- I know that we all have these missions and we all struggle so I can let go of others' hurtful actions toward me easier since I know they have just not connected to the love and are "lost" and are acting out of what is left which is fear.

Have you shared this experience with others? Yes

Describe: Yes, very carefully. No one in my family knows. So, I tend to tell those few people who seem ready to hear this stuff. They tell me that they see little events in their lives differently- loss of loved ones, struggles, etc.

What emotions did you experience following your experience? All of them.

What was the best and worst part of your experience? Getting this "wake up call" to my being. Finding the security from knowing all these things.

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

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

Describe: I formed a nonprofit organization to try to help change the veterinary health care system. Much more responsibility- no excuses. No longer look for approval from others. Just work to stay on honest purpose filled path.

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

Thanks to the efforts of New Mexico representative Steve Pearce, there are now just 52 wolves left in the entire southwest. Mr. Pearce is now running for the Senate.

I am compiling a list of survival skills that all kids should be taught. If you would like to contribute to it, that would be great. I will be compiling the list over the next several months, so when you think of a survival skill (you have to describe the skill in detail for, say, 12-year-olds), just post it on this blog.

The idea for this came about when I stumbled on a List of Skills Every Man Should Know on the Popular Mechanics’ website.

Well, you can imagine my first problem with the list: it is a list of skills that everybody, not just men, should know. The only survivor of a flight in South America, Brazil, I think, was a teenage girl whose plane crashed in the jungle. She only survived because her father had once told her that if she were ever lost in the jungle, to walk until she found a stream of water, no matter how small, and follow it. She did just this, following what was really a 3 inch-wide trickle of water until it led her to the Amazon River.

She remembered her father’s advice even though she was in a state of shock (she had found her mother’s handbag among the wreckage but had not been able to find her mother) evidenced by her walking constantly for about a week in one high-heeled shoe (The other shoe was lost when her seat impacted the ground.). The story of her survival illustrates how even one skill can save someone’s life.

The PM list included only 25 skills and they were not necessarily survival skills. For instance, while one of the skills on the list was fileting a fish, if we were talking survival, it would be more important to me to teach kids how to catch a fish with no fishing pole, line, or store-bought hooks - their very survival might depend on knowing this; you can cook a fish whole or even eat most of them uncooked if your survival depends on it.

How to start a fire was another skill listed, but like another commentator on the Popular Mechanics’ site, I think that the description of making a tent of sticks, etc., is great, but in a survival mode where you must build a fire with no matches, you are hurt, freezing even, wood is often wet, etc., what do you do then about getting a fire going?

I am spending this summer making hollow rocks, (a hollow rock large enough to cover our two trash cans would cost over $2,400!) and while knowing how to build hollow rocks may not seem to represent a lifesaving skill, it actually might. One could make himself a strong shelter from materials and methods used in building a hollow rock if the ingredients happened to be available - or even an adobe shelter. So, building emergency shelter will be one of my contributions to this list.

I am amazed that so many teenagers cannot read a map or tell the approximate time of day by the sun’s position - another contribution of mine. I cannot imagine all the skills of which others are aware but which I may never have thought about. This will be very interesting, I hope.

Please contribute. It can be how to recognize the presence of bear if you are lost in the woods and looking for a place to spend the night............... any skill that you think might be important to one’s survival in any kind of emergency, any skill that you can describe how to do with words. Some skills cry out for photos to make them understandable. I will find the photos later so just write out how you would tell a 12-year-old to perform the skill.

I want to use some of the time I am with my grandsons this summer to teach them some very basic skills.