Consciousness Beyond Life

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