first of all I want to apologise for any grammar or style mistakes in my post, but I’m not a native English speaker.
My eyes hurt from reading through this forum, but I got a lot of valuable information from it for which I want to say thank you. I would like to relate my story of contacts with so called spiritual mediums and my personal quandary.
More than twenty years ago, I went as an Au-pair to England. Until then, I had never believed in God or heard about mediums and the like. My friend and I stumbled across an advertisement in the news agency, though, where a medium offered readings (10 Pounds per reading). We were curious and went to see her. She (Josie) was a very plain woman in a very plain and simple house (no visible luxury). We only said hello and my friend went in first. Afterwards I got my reading. I cannot remember so much of the first session, only that it convinced me so far that I went to her two more times. All in all, three or four things she said stuck with me and could not be explained away afterwards. One was very personal, which I don’t want to relate here. The others were: The name of my then still living grandmother and a description of her (it was not an English name and Josie had difficulties pronouncing it, but got it right); a description of one of two photographs I still had/have from my other grandmother; and an indication of how my mother had died. Other things she mentioned were also spot on, but could also be regarded as (very) good guesses. What puzzles me still a bit is the description of the photograph. She described it as showing two women with bicycles in front of a forest. Both women looked happy and were laughing. This was exactly how I remembered the photograph at that time (probably because my grandmother had told me how happy she was on that excursion). Only, when I looked at it again, I saw that neither my grandmother nor her sister were laughing. In fact, they look quite serious on it.
The whole experience with Josie and everything I read afterwards about the spiritual world enriched me so much and made me so happy. When I came back to Germany and started to study, however, I developed a very critical mind and questioned everything (especially my own perception). It was awful because I lost a whole universe and an eternal and purposeful existence and got a miserable little life shaken by coincidences in return. Preferring the truth, no matter how inconvenient it is, I came to live with it, though.
Then, a couple of years ago, I lost a number of very close relatives in a very short time. The whole story with Josie came up again and I thought I would give it another try. I was completely desperate and devastated and I hated my critical mind. My sister, who is a Christian and believes in the Almighty, could deal much better with the loss (or so I thought). At least she had a consolation. So I googled the Internet if there were any mediums in Germany. I found one with a British training (this seems a kind of qualification in spiritualist circles). Her name is Doris Forster. Although I was desperate for a contact, I felt her to be a fraud from the beginning. Josie never asked anything and gave me the reading with closed eyes. D.F. only did what I learned is cold reading. And she was quite good at it as far as reading my feelings was concerned. Everything else she said was superficial or completely wrong. The session was taped and I sent the tape to my sister afterwards who confirmed that it was 100% crap.
The sad thing is, however, that there are still two hearts beating within me with two very loud voices. My critical self is scolding my I-would-like-to-believe-self very hard and tries to suppress it. But my IWLTB-self clings to every possible idea of an afterlife, because thinking that one will never see ones people again and, worse, will stop existing, is just a pain in the neck. This, critical self says, is no reason to believe. Only because we wish for it doesn’t make it true.
Since suppressing my need to enquire the possibility of a spiritual world makes me completely unhappy, I decided to take some time to do a bit more research on it and find a satisfying answer, if possible. The problem is, most websites are a pain to read and are either full of people believing the most stupid things or of people making fun of it and negating it completely. The BP-site seems to be quite harsh on believers, but I prefer the critical perspective.
I have another appointment with a spiritual medium next week. I almost regretted it after reading through the BP forum, but since it is fixed and paid I will have a go at it. I will be careful not to disclose too much information beforehand. The whole thing will be recorded, so I can give it a hard review afterwards. I also made a list of 10 questions, which nobody but my dead relatives could answer. (Writing this, I feel the absurdity of the whole thing.)
first of all I want to apologise for any grammar or style mistakes in my post, but I’m not a native English speaker.
Welcome to the forum, and I am sure your grammar is better than most of the people here!
She described it as showing two women with bicycles in front of a forest. Both women looked happy and were laughing. This was exactly how I remembered the photograph at that time (probably because my grandmother had told me how happy she was on that excursion). Only, when I looked at it again, I saw that neither my grandmother nor her sister were laughing. In fact, they look quite serious on it.
It is hard to explain how exactly a reading was done without a recording,. but clearly it shows here how people can misremember things, and that when you looked at the actual photo it was not how the medium described it, I suspect that they were cold reading you, and that they actually got the info from you without you realising you were giving it to the medium, which is why the medium got it wrong, because your own memory was wrong.
The whole experience with Josie and everything I read afterwards about the spiritual world enriched me so much and made me so happy. When I came back to Germany and started to study, however, I developed a very critical mind and questioned everything (especially my own perception). It was awful because I lost a whole universe and an eternal and purposeful existence and got a miserable little life shaken by coincidences in return. Preferring the truth, no matter how inconvenient it is, I came to live with it, though.
I understand that feeling, however the realities of life and the universe are just as amazing and fantastic as the made up lies of spiritualists. Whether it is looking up at the stars and imagining what could be out there. Or when a scientists finds a brand new species of animal in the jungle.
Just this past week scientists have sent a spaceship billions of miles to orbit around a planet (Jupiter) that is many many many times bigger than Earth, that accomplishment alone is incredible, Not to mention that on yesterdays date in 1969 we put man on the moon! Yes sometimes the harsh realities of life can be hard when you have lived in the realms of fantasy and delusion, but when you really start to examine the great things that humans have done and continue to do, it truly is greater and better than anything made up by a spiritualist.
The sad thing is, however, that there are still two hearts beating within me with two very loud voices. My critical self is scolding my I-would-like-to-believe-self very hard and tries to suppress it. But my IWLTB-self clings to every possible idea of an afterlife, because thinking that one will never see ones people again and, worse, will stop existing, is just a pain in the neck. This, critical self says, is no reason to believe. Only because we wish for it doesn’t make it true.
We all have these two hearts, I know I do. But i also understand that we as humans are amazing and accomplish so much.
Since suppressing my need to enquire the possibility of a spiritual world makes me completely unhappy, I decided to take some time to do a bit more research on it and find a satisfying answer, if possible. The problem is, most websites are a pain to read and are either full of people believing the most stupid things or of people making fun of it and negating it completely. The BP-site seems to be quite harsh on believers, but I prefer the critical perspective.
Yes we can be harsh, me particularly, however I always think I am fair. I always ask for proof, that is it.
I have another appointment with a spiritual medium next week. I almost regretted it after reading through the BP forum, but since it is fixed and paid I will have a go at it. I will be careful not to disclose too much information beforehand. The whole thing will be recorded, so I can give it a hard review afterwards. I also made a list of 10 questions, which nobody but my dead relatives could answer. (Writing this, I feel the absurdity of the whole thing.)
I would suggest that after the reading you should refuse to pay, or if you have already paid, you should demand a refund. These people are frauds, now this medium you will see, might be very good, they may have found a way to research you, or they might just get lucky with guesses, either way you should not pay.
If you do find yourself convinced by this medium, you have two options. You can live on under the delusion of the lies they have told you, if that makes you feel happy. Or you can share the reading on this site and I will show you 100% how they did it.
I hope whatever happens, that this will be the last time you visit a medium, and waste your money on them, for that is the worst thing you can do, become addicted to them.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
It is hard to explain how exactly a reading was done without a recording,. but clearly it shows here how people can misremember things, and that when you looked at the actual photo it was not how the medium described it, I suspect that they were cold reading you, and that they actually got the info from you without you realising you were giving it to the medium, which is why the medium got it wrong, because your own memory was wrong.
Yes, she somehow seemed to get it from my memory, but I never talked to her about it. Actually I had forgotten about the picture until she mentioned it. Anyway, I'm sure there is a logical explanation of it. Human memory is an extraordinary and creative thing and I think I wouldn't trust anything less.
Whether it is looking up at the stars and imagining what could be out there.
This is exactly why I'm so sorry not to live eternally. The universe fascinates me and I would love to explore it and get to know it more deeply. I feel very connected to the universe - a true connection. We are products of it and our bodies will dissolve in it in the end.
Yes we can be harsh, me particularly, however I always think I am fair. I always ask for proof, that is it.
This is fine with me, I also want proof and don't mind being questioned/ criticised. This is how we develop.
I hope whatever happens, that this will be the last time you visit a medium, and waste your money on them, for that is the worst thing you can do, become addicted to them.
I'm confident that this will be my last visit to a medium. The whole "research" has already taken up too much of my time. Nonetheless, I will take some more time to translate and write down the sitting for this site. It will be very interesting to get other views on it.
I don't have anything to add other than to say welcome to the forum! You write very well, by the way, and I really enjoyed reading your posts. I'm looking forward to reading the transcript of your reading.
"No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else's draft." H G Wells
Anyway, I'm sure there is a logical explanation of it. Human memory is an extraordinary and creative thing and I think I wouldn't trust anything less.
There is always a logical explanation, just sometimes it can be hard to find.
I'm confident that this will be my last visit to a medium. The whole "research" has already taken up too much of my time. Nonetheless, I will take some more time to translate and write down the sitting for this site. It will be very interesting to get other views on it.
I look forward to reading it, but remember if there is a way not to have the reading and get your money back, that is always the best option
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
Post by girlseeksghosts on Jul 23, 2016 12:41:48 GMT
Hi Buecherwurm and welcome to the forum
You are so not alone, I struggled for years with wanting to believe there is something and coming to terms with the harsh reality that there really is no evidence to suggest life after death. I so wanted to believe I even became a paranormal investigator for a few years and visited many allegedly haunted places and do you know I never ever once got my evidence, I was the most sceptical of the group but took it all very seriously and desperately wanted to film/picture/record something paranormal.
Thank you for sharing your story and I look forward to hearing how you get on with your reading too.
"If you don't control your mind, somebody else will"
There is no evidence to suggest that there's life after death but there also isn't any evidence that there isn't! I never considered going to a medium in my life but I did after losing my husband in March. Did it make a believer out if me? No. Some things were on the money, some things not. It would take a LOT to convince me 100% that people can really speak to the dead. I still consider myself a skeptic and not a non believer like many here though. There is a need to believe when u lose someone you love very much. That said, I do take advice of those here and don't keep seeking readings because I can see where that can lead. But I also chose to believe that there is something more after this life and there are scientists who believe it as well. There is so much u known about the universe and the human body and also 'consciousness' that given the choice I go with what brings me comfort.
There is no evidence to suggest that there's life after death but there also isn't any evidence that there isn't!
Hate to point this out, but that statement is slightly flawed as an argument. Let me re-write it as a way to show its absurdity.
"There is no evidence to suggest that there's an invisible flying Loch Ness monster living on Mars but there also isn't any evidence that there isn't!"
Basically it boils down to the flawed believer argument asking a skeptic to prove a negative, or that if you cant prove something does not exist, then that in itself is proof that it does.
Not having a go, or trying to be an arse, its just that it is an argument I hear from believers on a daily basis, and I understand you were not really using it a way to attack me or anyone, you were just saying it, so please dont take offence.
I just wanted to point out the absurdity to anyone reading who perhaps has come across that argument elsewhere.
I never considered going to a medium in my life but I did after losing my husband in March. Did it make a believer out if me? No. Some things were on the money, some things not. It would take a LOT to convince me 100% that people can really speak to the dead. I still consider myself a skeptic and not a non believer like many here though. There is a need to believe when u lose someone you love very much.
That said, I do take advice of those here and don't keep seeking readings because I can see where that can lead. But I also chose to believe that there is something more after this life and there are scientists who believe it as well. There is so much u known about the universe and the human body and also 'consciousness' that given the choice I go with what brings me comfort.
In general faith in something more is not really a problem, as long as it doesn't lead you to hurt yourself or others. And if it brings comfort then who am I to say you or anyone is wrong to believe.
Here is a thought for people to ponder. What if the afterlife, is merely your continued existence in the memories of those who knew you. That existence would not last for ever, and merely fade slowly over time.
Sounds more lovely to me, than an eternal existence in some floaty place. I'd be bored after a few weeks anyway!
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
No matter what will happen at the reading, I would like to get back to my normal life. Thinking about a potential afterlife has distracted and somehow paralysed me. It doesn’t feel healthy in any case.
Several thoughts have developed in my mind:
If there is a spirit world to which we will all return in the end, it cannot be our task here to concentrate on spiritual matters. Quite the contrary, our focus should be on the material world. With this, I don’t mean to gather riches and bathe in money, but to feel/reflect materiality in all its beautiful and horrible facets and all natural/human creativity (good and bad) connected with it. Concentrating (too much) on the spiritual somehow seems to be a waste of life time – if the spiritual world exists, it doesn’t make sense to explore it from here; if the spiritual world does not exist, it’s living in dreamland.
What would actually happen if the idea of an eternal afterlife (why do we always think it is eternal?) and a spirit world was to become a scientifically confirmed fact? When I was convinced of it, I felt suddenly languid and ethically less responsible. Usually, I’m very compassionate, but this decreased as well. Others might feel quite the opposite, though.
For me, I suppose, it would be better not to get a final answer, but to be kept in suspense. A negative answer would be depressing and shatter my imagination and hope; a positive answer would make me less human. So the fence will be my home and that’s okay.
debbie I’m very sorry that you have lost your husband. It must be an awful time for you and I wish you all possible strength to cope with it. I also think that there is a basic human need for spirituality and that we don’t do us a big favour by scientifically dissecting it.
There is no evidence to suggest that there's life after death but there also isn't any evidence that there isn't!
Hate to point this out, but that statement is slightly flawed as an argument. Let me re-write it as a way to show its absurdity.
"There is no evidence to suggest that there's an invisible flying Loch Ness monster living on Mars but there also isn't any evidence that there isn't!"
Basically it boils down to the flawed believer argument asking a skeptic to prove a negative, or that if you cant prove something does not exist, then that in itself is proof that it does.
Not having a go, or trying to be an arse, its just that it is an argument I hear from believers on a daily basis, and I understand you were not really using it a way to attack me or anyone, you were just saying it, so please dont take offence.
I just wanted to point out the absurdity to anyone reading who perhaps has come across that argument elsewhere.
I never considered going to a medium in my life but I did after losing my husband in March. Did it make a believer out if me? No. Some things were on the money, some things not. It would take a LOT to convince me 100% that people can really speak to the dead. I still consider myself a skeptic and not a non believer like many here though. There is a need to believe when u lose someone you love very much.
That said, I do take advice of those here and don't keep seeking readings because I can see where that can lead. But I also chose to believe that there is something more after this life and there are scientists who believe it as well. There is so much u known about the universe and the human body and also 'consciousness' that given the choice I go with what brings me comfort.
In general faith in something more is not really a problem, as long as it doesn't lead you to hurt yourself or others. And if it brings comfort then who am I to say you or anyone is wrong to believe.
Here is a thought for people to ponder. What if the afterlife, is merely your continued existence in the memories of those who knew you. That existence would not last for ever, and merely fade slowly over time.
Sounds more lovely to me, than an eternal existence in some floaty place. I'd be bored after a few weeks anyway!
Hmmm i definitely was not trying to attack anyone!! I just don't understand your argument because it doesn't seem absurd to me. An invisible Lochness monster floating around Mars? That's just a thought, that could apply to anything. There is real scientific research happening regarding the afterlife and what exactly is consciousness and where it is. NDE are real and there are doctors and scientists who do believe that life goes on in some form. Better minds than ours do think it's possible due to findings in actual scientific tests. Theories yes but not just some abstract thoughts like maybe Jupiter is inhabited by little green men, hasn't been proven right? I'm not sure if I'm really making my point well lol. I agree though, I don't want to float around on clouds and live in some boring Utopia.
No matter what will happen at the reading, I would like to get back to my normal life. Thinking about a potential afterlife has distracted and somehow paralysed me. It doesn’t feel healthy in any case.
Several thoughts have developed in my mind:
If there is a spirit world to which we will all return in the end, it cannot be our task here to concentrate on spiritual matters. Quite the contrary, our focus should be on the material world. With this, I don’t mean to gather riches and bathe in money, but to feel/reflect materiality in all its beautiful and horrible facets and all natural/human creativity (good and bad) connected with it. Concentrating (too much) on the spiritual somehow seems to be a waste of life time – if the spiritual world exists, it doesn’t make sense to explore it from here; if the spiritual world does not exist, it’s living in dreamland.
What would actually happen if the idea of an eternal afterlife (why do we always think it is eternal?) and a spirit world was to become a scientifically confirmed fact? When I was convinced of it, I felt suddenly languid and ethically less responsible. Usually, I’m very compassionate, but this decreased as well. Others might feel quite the opposite, though.
For me, I suppose, it would be better not to get a final answer, but to be kept in suspense. A negative answer would be depressing and shatter my imagination and hope; a positive answer would make me less human. So the fence will be my home and that’s okay.
debbie I’m very sorry that you have lost your husband. It must be an awful time for you and I wish you all possible strength to cope with it. I also think that there is a basic human need for spirituality and that we don’t do us a big favour by scientifically dissecting it.
Thank you! It is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through but I'm doing it! It's just nice to have faith in SOMETHING, I'm not a religious person but it makes it a little easier to get through life when you're missing someone so much. I do agree though mediums are not the answer. I can see where that can lead to a serious problem for those grieving.
No matter what will happen at the reading, I would like to get back to my normal life. Thinking about a potential afterlife has distracted and somehow paralysed me. It doesn’t feel healthy in any case.
Several thoughts have developed in my mind:
If there is a spirit world to which we will all return in the end, it cannot be our task here to concentrate on spiritual matters. Quite the contrary, our focus should be on the material world. With this, I don’t mean to gather riches and bathe in money, but to feel/reflect materiality in all its beautiful and horrible facets and all natural/human creativity (good and bad) connected with it. Concentrating (too much) on the spiritual somehow seems to be a waste of life time – if the spiritual world exists, it doesn’t make sense to explore it from here; if the spiritual world does not exist, it’s living in dreamland.
What would actually happen if the idea of an eternal afterlife (why do we always think it is eternal?) and a spirit world was to become a scientifically confirmed fact? When I was convinced of it, I felt suddenly languid and ethically less responsible. Usually, I’m very compassionate, but this decreased as well. Others might feel quite the opposite, though.
For me, I suppose, it would be better not to get a final answer, but to be kept in suspense. A negative answer would be depressing and shatter my imagination and hope; a positive answer would make me less human. So the fence will be my home and that’s okay.
debbie I’m very sorry that you have lost your husband. It must be an awful time for you and I wish you all possible strength to cope with it. I also think that there is a basic human need for spirituality and that we don’t do us a big favour by scientifically dissecting it.
buecherwurm I see your point and have thought about this too! If it were ever proven that there is an afterlife wouldn't it make our current lives less special and precious? It's possible it's something we will never know and are purposely not meant to know.
I do agree though mediums are not the answer. I can see where that can lead to a serious problem for those grieving.
I am quite shocked regarding the vast industry that has developed around spiritual issues. I hardly ever watch TV and apart from seeing the fraud medium six years ago, have not come across the topic at all. The other day I watched some videos on Youtube where mediums give readings and it completely appalled me. There was one known German medium in this horrible afternoon talk and she basically gave a reading to a woman who has lost her little daughter and was in utter despair. It was awful how they exploited her grief and I felt really ashamed on their behalf ("fremdschämen" it is in German when you are embarrassed by what others do). This made me understand why people here and elsewhere are so mad at so called spiritual mediums.
With "my dead people" I found and still find most consolation in little rituals and also in surrounding myself with stuff that belonged to them (furniture, books, jewellery, kitchenware etc.). I also saw my grief as something special that still connected me to them, kept them alive so to speak. But slowly it hurt less and less. If they really are in another world, they are different now and shouldn't be bothered all the time by calling them through mediums, I suppose. Actually I can hear my grandmother in my head telling me off for spending money on this stuff.
I see your point and have thought about this too! If it were ever proven that there is an afterlife wouldn't it make our current lives less special and precious? It's possible it's something we will never know and are purposely not meant to know.
It would definitely make it less special and probably produce another trillion religious fanatics. Maybe it would also cause mass suicide.
I just don't understand your argument because it doesn't seem absurd to me.
But realistically there exists the exact same amount of credible evidence for an afterlife/mediumship etc as there does for ridiculous things like flying Loch Ness Monsters etc, That being zero.
There is real scientific research happening regarding the afterlife and what exactly is consciousness and where it is.
Thats right, and every single credible study has shown a lack of any evidence of an afterlife.
NDE are real and there are doctors and scientists who do believe that life goes on in some form.
Again correct, NDEs etc are real, but they are nothing to do with an afterlife, spirtiualism or anything like that. In fact NDEs can be replicated in a lab on just about anyone. NDEs are all about a lack of oxygen to the brain, and the chemicals released as the brain dies. It is very much an understood process that like I said can be replicated in non dying people and so on.
Better minds than ours do think it's possible due to findings in actual scientific tests.
Not sure I would call them better minds as such. Some people do think there is something to it, however the very best minds in the world and the true experts in brain chemistry, accept that such things are a chemical process and nothing spiritual.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.
I just don't understand your argument because it doesn't seem absurd to me.
But realistically there exists the exact same amount of credible evidence for an afterlife/mediumship etc as there does for ridiculous things like flying Loch Ness Monsters etc, That being zero.
I don't think that's quite true, no one is out there looking for Loch Ness on Mars yet there are a lot of studies of an Afterlife because of some evidence (NDE and people's knowledge of what's going on after their heart stops beating) that it COULD exist. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this.
Also I have not seen anything anywhere which says NDE have been definitively absolutely proven to be the dying brain, lack of oxygen or chemicals released.
All I'm saying is there is much unknown about the universe and even our brains. Yesterday I read an article where scientists in mapping out the human brain discovered over 90 new areas previously unknown. Discoveries in quantum physics are being made everyday, finding yet smaller and stranger particles. There are scientists, better minds than mine (ok I'll leave u out lol) that theorize we are living in a matrix, our universe is a computer simulation, it's possible we are living in a hologram, multi verses and on and on. There are many theories out there and I don't find it so far fetched to believe we are more than our bodies.
Let me just say too, believing in an afterlife does not mean i believe in mediumship. Can people speak to the dead? As much as I want to believe I find it extremely far fetched. I havent absolutely ruled it out either but I know what someone would have to say to prove it and I'm not going that route (meaning trying to find a 'real' medium). So I will continue to believe my loved one is out there somewhere, it just mAkes each day more bearable. In no way am I trying to diminish what you do here though. I see there are many mediums who have no conscience and prey on the grieving and gullible and trying to put a stop to that is a good thing.
I do agree though mediums are not the answer. I can see where that can lead to a serious problem for those grieving.
I am quite shocked regarding the vast industry that has developed around spiritual issues. I hardly ever watch TV and apart from seeing the fraud medium six years ago, have not come across the topic at all. The other day I watched some videos on Youtube where mediums give readings and it completely appalled me. There was one known German medium in this horrible afternoon talk and she basically gave a reading to a woman who has lost her little daughter and was in utter despair. It was awful how they exploited her grief and I felt really ashamed on their behalf ("fremdschämen" it is in German when you are embarrassed by what others do). This made me understand why people here and elsewhere are so mad at so called spiritual mediums.
With "my dead people" I found and still find most consolation in little rituals and also in surrounding myself with stuff that belonged to them (furniture, books, jewellery, kitchenware etc.). I also saw my grief as something special that still connected me to them, kept them alive so to speak. But slowly it hurt less and less. If they really are in another world, they are different now and shouldn't be bothered all the time by calling them through mediums, I suppose. Actually I can hear my grandmother in my head telling me off for spending money on this stuff.
I see your point and have thought about this too! If it were ever proven that there is an afterlife wouldn't it make our current lives less special and precious? It's possible it's something we will never know and are purposely not meant to know.
It would definitely make it less special and probably produce another trillion religious fanatics. Maybe it would also cause mass suicide.
Good Night! Buecherwurm
I do the same, whatever brings comfort right? And I too could hear my husbands voice in my head telling me to stop when I considered seeing a medium. I did get one paid reading and I can't say i'd never do another but the feeling of having to 'connect' with him (thru a medium, I talk to him everyday) is diminishing and I I know he'd be appalled at me spending money on such things. I appreciate what's done here, it's very sad to see people spending money after money looking for comfort and these mediums who as you said exploit and take advantage of people who have been absolutely devastated by loss, kind of a double whammy. Still nothing wrong with believing that our lost loved ones are not gone forever. Some think they go to heaven, I being not religious like to think in more scientific terms. Maybe he's in a parallel universe where 'we' are together again, maybe it's something else. Again, and I hate to annoy Jon Donnis but really it hasn't been disproven and from things that I read it is a real possibility.
Also I have not seen anything anywhere which says NDE have been definitively absolutely proven to be the dying brain, lack of oxygen or chemicals released.
Oh yes, also drug Ketamine, can also create an NDE. Its all to do with abnormal functioning of dopamine, a chemical released in the brain. And there have been many many studies showing the causes of NDEs. Here is a quick article I found that covers it www.scientificamerican.com/article/peace-of-mind-near-death/
All I'm saying is there is much unknown about the universe and even our brains. Yesterday I read an article where scientists in mapping out the human brain discovered over 90 new areas previously unknown. Discoveries in quantum physics are being made everyday, finding yet smaller and stranger particles. There are scientists, better minds than mine (ok I'll leave u out lol) that theorize we are living in a matrix, our universe is a computer simulation, it's possible we are living in a hologram, multi verses and on and on. There are many theories out there and I don't find it so far fetched to believe we are more than our bodies.
The theories of living in a matrix etc are very much philisophical discussions, and realistically no one believes it. But it is a fascinating idea to think about. I would suggest that the more we learn about the brain, the universe and so on, the more that the idea of an afterlife in any kind of religious or conventional sense is being destroyed.
A bad ass who will beat you like he's using the fists of god.