Cardiologist Pim van Lommel, has studied near-death
experiences (NDEs) for more than two decades in patients who survive cardiac
arrest. Curiosity about the reports of
patients having NDEs while surviving cardiac arrest led Dr. van Lommel into his
studies of consciousness and NDEs. In 2001, he and his fellow researchers
published a study on Near Death Experiences in The Lancet, a medical
journal. In 2007, he wrote the Dutch
bestseller Endless Consciousness which
sold over 100.000 copies in the first year and has had 17 printings.
In 2010, he published Consciousness
Beyond Life: The Science of the Near-Death Experience, available in
hardcover, tradepaper, and Kindle.
Nine million Americans have experienced NDEs, and the
findings of Dr. van Lommel’s studies correlate with those of Dr. Raymond Moody,
a pioneer in Near Death Experiences with his 1975 book, Life After Life, and
studies of others. .
The hypothesis held by science has been that consciousness
is a function of the brain but there is no proof of that
Dr. van Lommel’s studies have shown that those having near
death experiences most often find the experience impressive, their view of life
changes, they no longer fear death, and are left with an enhanced spirituality, independent of prior
religious beliefs.
His findings have also touched him and changed his world
view. He believes consciousness is non-local and science has a problem with accepting
that. A new paradigm is needed and
although millions experience NDEs, he believes it is considered a taboo subject
by many. He suggests people need to talk
about their experience, share findings, and hope for a shift in the
paradigm. For consciousness beyond life
to be accepted by science, Dr. van Lommel states that science has to change to
accept the aspects of mankind and in doing so, has to include subjective criteria. Subjective experiences cannot be proven, people
tell about it, but science wants to prove it. Until now, he says, science is—what you can measure is real, what you cannot
measure is not there. We cannot
measure consciousness, we cannot prove the content of consciousness.
Dr. van Lommel is devoting his time now to lecturing,
speaking at universities, hospitals, medical schools, writing articles,
appearing on TV and radio. He says in
Holland the paradigm is changing and he receives more invitations now to speak
to scientific groups.
Not only do I personally believe in NDEs, and have written
about them previously, I also believe that consciousness lives on after the
shedding of the physical body. The bond
of love is part of consciousness, and it is there after death, as it is in
life.
Additonal information can be found at the International Association
of Near Death Studies (IANDS) website.
Suggested Reading, Neurosurgeon, Dr. Eben Alexander’s book, Proof of Heaven
Enjoy part one of Dr. van Lommel’s Interview
-Linda
