Basil, R. (1991). The popular appeal of the near-death experience. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 10(1) 61-68.

Abstract: In this article I argue that as scientific research provides an ever-more-complete physiological explanation of the near-death experience (NDE), popular interest in NDEs will wane, because transcendental interpretation, which holds that the NDE provides proof of an immaterial soul, an afterlife, and assorted paranormal phenomena, has always been the magnet that has attracted widespread attention to the subject. Since the transcendental interpretation resonates with our culture’s deepest wishes, dreams, and fears, the television and newspapers have tended to focus on that model almost exclusively. This unbalanced presentation of near-death research has reinforced the traditional image of science as a cold, heartless enterprise. I speculate that, in terms of its popular appeal, future near-death research may well have more impact on the field of psychotherapy than that of religion or the paranormal.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological NOS
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Language and NDEs
Media Treatment of NDEs
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Science and NDEs
Spirituality and NDEs

Bush, N. E. (1991). Is ten years a life review? Journal of Near-Death Studies, 10(1) 5-9.

Abstract: Looking back on ten years of involvement with near-death studies and with the International Association for Near-Death Studies, I review some of the major questions and accomplishments of that decade both in our understanding of the near-death experience and in our service as an organization.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Historical Perspectives on NDEs

Gabbard, G. O., & Twemlow, S. W. (1991). Do 'near-death experiences' occur only near-death?-revisited. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 10(1) 41-47.

Abstract: Ten years ago our research on out-of-body experiences suggested that the elements of the near-death experience (NDE) were not necessarily limited to situations in which survival was threatened. A decade of continued study has confirmed that the perception of being near death, independent of the actual reality of the situation, is the key determinant of the classical NDE. From early in life, the infant’s dread of catastrophe leads to the elaboration of extensive psychological defenses against the possibility of extinction. The NDE is simultaneously a manifestation of faith and a catalyst for the development of faith.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEs—Perception of Time
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs—Tunnel Experiences
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Stress
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Definition of NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Mental Processes and NDEs
Related Experiences NOS

Ring, K. (1991). Amazing grace: The near-death experience as a compensatory gift. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 10(1) 11-39.

Abstract: This paper illustrates the apparently providential timing and the healing character of near-death experiences (NDEs) and NDE-like episodes, through four case histories of persons whose lives, prior to their experiences, were marked by deep anguish and a sense of hopelessness. Spiritually, such case histories suggest the intervention of a guiding intelligence that confers a form of “amazing grace” on the recipient. Methodologically, these reports point to the importance of taking into account the person’s life history as a context for understanding the full significance of NDEs and similar awakening experiences. The article ends with a retrospective account of a childhood NDE in which “the big secret” of these experiences is disclosed.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEs—Paranormal Phenomena
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Afterlife, Belief in
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Children and Adolescents
Characteristics of NDErs—Religious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDErs—Trauma and Abuse
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Spiritual
Characteristics of NDEs—Increased Knowledge, Thoughts
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Light, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEs—Otherworldly Environments
Characteristics of NDEs—Parapsychological Phenomena, ESP
Characteristics of NDEs—Perception of Time
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Involuntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Kinesthetic
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Music
Characteristics of NDEs—Tunnel Experiences
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Hospital
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs—Induced Chemically
Disclosure of NDEs
Healing and NDEs—Physical
Healing and NDEs—Psychological
Language and NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Psychopathology and NDEs NOS
Psychopharmacology and NDEs—Anesthesia

Becker, C. B. (1991). Over my dead body there is an ideal utopia: Comments on Kellehear's paper. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 10(2) 97-106.

Abstract: Allan Kellehear’s near-death experiencers (NDErs) report perceiving a utopia beyond death. I examine the logical implications and philosophical possibilities of such a realm, and come to three conclusions. First, the realms described by NDErs, if taken at face value, are far from utopian, rather resembling travelers’ romances with exotic lands. Second, any truly utopian postmortem society is so far removed from our present world as to be morally irrelevant to our own. And third, only an ideational postmortem utopia, of the sort exemplified by Pure Land Buddhist theology, can avoid both the non-utopian nature of NDErs’ descriptions and the irrelevance of postmortem utopias.

Copyright: © 2008 International Association for Near-Death Studies

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Cultural, Social Influences on NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Philosophical
Explanations of NDEs—Sociological
Religion and NDEs—Buddhism
Spirituality and NDEs