E479 Near-Death Experience Expert Dr. Jeffrey Long
Jan 23, 2024
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Dr. Jeffrey Long, a near-death experience expert, delves into the phenomena of NDEs, discussing characteristics, shared experiences, and their impact on different demographics. They also explore mystical experiences, the evolution of sharing spiritual experiences, and the shift towards alternative healing. The podcast touches on topics like language learning, the value of earthly experiences, hope and wisdom in NDEs, and the link between patient feedback and the opioid crisis.
NDE research has a profound impact on individuals facing life-threatening illnesses, providing comfort and peace.
NDEs consistently describe the afterlife as a non-physical realm of love, unity, and connection.
Deep dives
Near-death experiences provide evidence of an afterlife
Near-death experiences (NDEs) offer powerful evidence that consciousness continues to exist after death. These experiences have been extensively studied, involving thousands of cases worldwide. NDEs occur when someone is near death or clinically dead, yet they have lucid conscious recollections of their experience. This contradicts the belief that brain activity ceases during such events. NDEs are characterized by common elements, including out-of-body experiences, moving through a tunnel, encountering a beautiful unearthly realm, telepathic communication, and meeting deceased loved ones. These experiences occur across cultures, religions, and age groups, suggesting that pre-existing beliefs do not account for NDE content. Shared NDEs, where multiple individuals have a simultaneous life-threatening event and share the experience, provide even more compelling evidence of the afterlife. NDE research not only sheds light on the existence of an afterlife, but also helps individuals facing life-threatening illnesses find courage and comfort.
NDEs differ from drug-induced or other altered states of consciousness
NDEs stand out from drug-induced altered states of consciousness or other experiences like meditation, fasting, and martial arts. NDEs are often more lucid, conscious, and impactful than these other experiences. Studies comparing NDEs with psychotropic drugs have shown significant differences in the depth and nature of the experiences. Dreams also differ greatly from NDEs, as dreams are often illogical, skipping events, while NDEs follow a consistent and logical order. The overwhelming consistency and coherence of NDE accounts distinguish them from other altered states of consciousness.
Shared NDEs provide strong evidence for continued consciousness after death
Shared near-death experiences offer compelling evidence that consciousness continues to exist beyond physical death. These experiences involve multiple individuals simultaneously having a life-threatening event and sharing an NDE. Witnessing loved ones in a shared NDE reinforces the idea that consciousness does not cease with bodily death. Dozens of shared NDE accounts have been reported, underlining the reality that NDEs are more than just individual subjective experiences. Shared NDEs contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting an afterlife and the continuation of consciousness.
NDEs inspire hope and comfort in individuals facing life-threatening illnesses
NDE research, which provides evidence of an afterlife and the continuation of consciousness, has a profound impact on individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. The knowledge that there is a greater existence beyond physical death offers comfort, courage, and peace to those grappling with the fear and uncertainty of their situation. The awareness that their consciousness will persist even if they succumb to their illness provides a sense of purpose and meaning to their lives, often leading them to approach their illness with a new perspective and resilience. NDE research offers patients and their families a broader perspective on life and death, promoting spiritual well-being and a deeper appreciation for the journey ahead.
The Nature of the Afterlife
Near-death experiences consistently describe the afterlife as a radically different realm from our physical earthly life. It is non-physical, with no limitations of the five senses we possess on Earth. In the afterlife, individuals experience non-physical communication, greatly accelerated consciousness, and a deep sense of universal knowledge. The concept of God is also explored, with near-death experiencers explaining that words like 'God' fall short in capturing the vastness and understanding of what they encounter. There is an overwhelming sense of love and connection, where individuals feel a unity with others and a oneness with the universe.
The Importance of Love and Compassion
Love and compassion emerge as key themes from near-death experiences. Individuals describe the power of love as a binding force that holds the universe together. They emphasize that our earthly life is limited and that what truly matters is our consciousness. By embracing love, compassion, and unity, humanity can evolve in a positive direction. Near-death experiences stress the significance of these values, irrespective of cultural differences or individual backgrounds.
The Transformation of Fear of Death
Fear of death is dramatically reduced in individuals who have had near-death experiences. Having personally experienced the afterlife, they no longer view death as something to be feared. Near-death experiencers describe the incredible beauty and peace they encounter beyond death's door, instilling a sense of comfort and reassurance. This understanding fundamentally shifts their perspective on mortality, offering hope and diminishing the fear surrounding the mystery of death.
Consistent Description of the Afterlife
Near-death experiences consistently describe the afterlife as a beautiful, unearthly realm filled with peace and love. People often encounter their deceased loved ones and even deceased pets, leading to joyous reunions and interactions. In the afterlife, individuals see others as they appeared on Earth, but with perfect health and sometimes appearing younger or older depending on their earthly age. The intense sense of love and unity in the afterlife erases past conflicts and brings profound joy.
The Meaning and Purpose of Life
Near-death experiences reveal that our earthly life holds significant value and importance. The lessons of love and relationships that we learn here ripple through eternity, impacting not only our own souls but the lives of many others. Our real consciousness resides in the eternal and infinite, and our physical earthly life is merely a small part of our eternal existence. The struggles and experiences on Earth allow us to understand non-eternity and non-infinity, granting us unique knowledge and growth. These near-death experiences emphasize the importance of compassion, love, and interconnectedness as the true essence of existence.
Dr. Jeffrey Long is a physician, author and researcher of near-death experiences. His book “Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences” is a New York Times Best-Seller that compiles research from more than 1,600 cases and interviews. Outside of his research he is a practicing Oncologist in Kentucky.
Dr. Jeffrey Long joins Theo to talk about the phenomena of near-death experiences, what’s really going on in our minds when we come close to the end, what people claim to see in their visions, why he believes there’s an afterlife based on his research, and what we can learn from these experiences to get the most out of life.
Dr. Jeffrey Long’s book “Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences”: https://amzn.to/3OaVZHO
