This weekend, my wife Alison and I shared thoughts about near-death experiences and the afterlife. I encourage you to explore Dr. Eben Alexander’s memoir, which is summarized below or in this YouTube video: Dr. Eben Alexander YouTube
"Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife" by Dr. Eben Alexander. Proof of Heaven describes the author’s near-death experience (NDE) and the profound impact it had on his understanding of consciousness and the afterlife.
Summary
In 2008, Dr. Eben Alexander, a neurosurgeon with a scientific background, contracted a severe case of bacterial meningitis. The illness attacked his brain, specifically the neocortex, rendering him comatose for seven days. His prognosis was grim, with little hope for survival or recovery. However, during this period of deep coma, Alexander experienced what he describes as an extraordinary journey into realms beyond this physical world—a place he believes to be heaven.
Key Elements of his Experience:
The Darkness (The Realm of the Earthworm’s Eye View):
Alexander’s journey began in a dark, murky, and primitive space, which he refers to as the "Realm of the Earthworm’s Eye View." It was a place of discomfort and isolation, symbolizing a state of consciousness stripped of human thought and language.
The Gateway and the "Spinning Melody":
Suddenly, he was pulled up through a tunnel by a melody, emerging into a bright and vibrant world filled with an overwhelming sense of love and peace. He encountered a young woman who communicated with him telepathically, delivering a message of reassurance: “You are loved and cherished, dearly, forever. You have nothing to fear.”
The Core (God’s Presence):
Beyond this beautiful, idyllic landscape, Alexander found himself in what he calls the "Core," a realm filled with brilliant light and the presence of an all-loving, divine being. He felt a direct connection with the source of the universe, a powerful force he identifies as God, although he emphasizes that this presence was beyond any religious or cultural depiction of God.
Insights on Consciousness:
The experience led him to reconsider the nature of human consciousness. Before his illness, Alexander was a skeptic, believing that consciousness was purely a product of brain activity. However, after his NDE, he became convinced that consciousness exists beyond the physical brain and survives bodily death.
Return to Life:
Alexander eventually woke up from his coma, much to the amazement of his medical team and family. He made a full recovery, which he attributes to the insights and healing he received during his journey.
Rev. Steve Longley,LICSW