Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Supernatural NDEs NDEs There is a great deal of skepticism about near-death experiences. While there are many written accounts available in medical and scientific journals, which describe near-death experiences, the phenomenon still raises questions. Some think that they are merely dreams, while others believe that they are actual windows showing them of what is to come in the after life. In this essay, I will try to provide positive evidence to suggest that they are indeed real, through facts, polls, scientific studies and personal stories from near-death experiences. To begin, I would like to define a near-death experience. It is a time when the body shuts down. The lungs stop breathing, the heart stops beating, and blood ceases to reach the brain and other parts of the body. It’s when your body is physically dead. This can occur from numerous things. It can occur during surgery, cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, coma, fever, anesthesia, seizures, unconsciousness, severe allergic reactions, suicide attempts or other physical trauma caused to the body (Morrissey, Journey into Consciousness). During this time of death, many people claim be passing through a tunnel toward a bright light and meeting people who have died earlier in time (Mosby, The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia 100). Upon awakening from the near-death experience, the subject may return with unusual abilities previously unknown to them. Some people find themselves seeing auras and other related paranormal abilities, awareness of science and other technologies regarding time and space, and transformations in spirit and personality (Morrissey, Journey into Consciousness). Polls and scientific studies offer some support concerning the reality of near-death experiences. In one poll conducted, fifteen million near-death experiences were reported in North America in 1996 alone (U.S. News & World Report). After conducting many studies, scientists have concluded that near-death experiences happen in five sequential stages: Stage one- feeling blissful sensations throughout the body. Stage two- the spirit leaving the physical body itself. Stage three- the spirit entering through a dark tunnel. Stage four- the spirit perceiving a bright light. Stage five- the spirit entering the bright light. These are just two of the numerous results from polls and studies conducted by scientists, to prove the realness of near-death experiences. Additionally, most of the scientific research has many things in common, (the stages listed above are a good example). In my research, I also found numerous personal accounts from people who have revealed their near–death experiences to others. For example, Maria Rodrigues of Toronto, Canada, who was in the hospital for immediate brain surgery, claims that she felt herself dying. “I remember going through a big tunnel, then coming out into a wondrous light. I wasn’t afraid. I felt very much at home. It was a place of pleasant peace and love” (no author, The Toronto Star). Former leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party, Pam Barrett, also from Canada, can relate. The 46-year-old woman was having dental surgery done when her throat swelled up, preventing her from breathing. “I knew I was dying. While gasping for air, I made the sign of the cross and died. I was traveling slowly through a tunnel when I came to a very bright light. I proceeded towards this light. I was on the other side long enough to feel the grace of God. I could feel the eternal happiness. No pain, no fear, no challenge. Just happiness” (no author, The Toronto Star). These are just two individuals of the estimated fifteen million who have encountered near-death experiences, have seen the light and felt the presence of the afterlife. In conclusion, while research on the subject of near-death experiences is ongoing, I have tried to present a persuasive argument to show that they in fact do exist. The subject of life after death is one that should be viewed in the context of faith or religion, but the proof I have provided is primarily scientific in nature. Whether one believes in the concept of life after death or not, near-death experiences do occur, perhaps more often than any of us realize. There is simply too much research available to ignore this phenomenon, and there are too many personal accounts written to conclude it is mere coincidence. I truly believe that there are such things as near-death experiences, and I hope that I have shed some light on this subject. Bibliography: Word Count: 719
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