1997 San Antonio

1997 North American Conference

 

October 30 - November 1, 1997

San Antonio, TX

 

 

 

 

Conference highlights:

Note: Presentations are listed in the order that they appeared during the conference.

1997 San Antonio

     
Near-Death Research After 20 Years

Bruce Greyson, M.D.

alt

20 years after the first formal gathering of near-death researchers, will review current research trends and findings in the field of near-death studies. We will discuss the implications of new information from physiological, psychological, and sociological research into NDEs, and the models on which they are based. Finally, we will explore why the choice of one's explanatory model makes a difference, and extrapolate to future directions in research and what they may teach us about humanity's role in the universe.

The Four Phases of Integration and 'The Unspoken Grief'

PMH Atwater, L.H.D.

alt

After nineteen years of interviewing near-death survivors, and with a research base numbering in the thousands, PMH Atwater was the first to recognize and identify cycles or phases to the integration process after one has a near-death experience.  She originally isolated three such phases, but as her work progressed she noticed a fourth one--and a time of "Unspoken Grief."  because of the importance of the aftereffects and the fact that in the majority of cases such changes can become permanent, it is vital that more attention be given to the universal pattern of how the aftereffects tend to impact on an individual's life--especially during the fourth phase when a second drop and a second shift occur and varied degrees of grief and/or depression can be overwhelming.  A goal in presenting this material is to engage the audience in lively dialogue.

Materials for this session (opens in a new window)

There is a related web site (opens in a new window).

Recovering NDEs in the English-Speaking Literary Tradition

Susan Gunn

alt

The question of whether or not cases of the NDE can be identified across the English-speaking literary tradition goes to the heart of a major controversy in language study. Scholars are debating whether there is such a thing as an individual subject who can have personal experiences that are not entirely constructed by language and social context. While common sense might suggest that the self is more than a social construct and experience is more than language, the search is on for something resembling a "universal experience" that is discovered that is discovered through language and social behavior, yet transcends both. Since Steve Straight's excellent article on Katherine Anne Porter's short story, "Pale Horse, pale Rider" in Anabiosis, very little seems to have been published concerning the NDE in literature. This session examines three literary artifacts in the light of Dr. Raymond Moody's clinical model of the NDE leading to the recovery of both the features and the effects of NDE in all three artifacts. The implications of this research in the debate among language scholars will be discussed.

Dealing with the Aftermath of an NDE

Jo Ann Marnie

alt

In this session, Jo Ann Marnie will discuss methods that can be used to integrate the effects an NDE into one's life. A "whole body" approach, considering body, mind and spirit will be considered. Methods for balancing the body and mind, to help the experiencer back to "conscious reality" will be included as well as ways for non-experiencers to understand the distress of experiencers in what they say has occurred.
Less Than Positive NDEs

Barbara Rommer, M.D.

alt

"Less then Positive" NDEs (termed "inverted" by Kenneth Ring and "distressing" by Greyson and Bush) are significantly under-reported. Dr. Rommer's research suggests that at least 13.9% interviewed (just over 200 thus far) have had an LTP. Her findings concur with Greyson and Bush concerning the three types of LTP's. In this session, Dr Rommer will present specific examples of each with particular attention to the subsequent changes in the person as a result of the LTP.
Healing of NDErs Through Storytelling

Elizabeth Langston, L.P.C.

alt

Communicating a profound experience such as an NDE confounds most experiencers because of lack of terminology, supportive environment and a non-judgmental listener. Internalizing an NDE is difficult and sometimes impossible for the experiencer. Encouraging a person to tell his/her own story can be taught using methods such as Ericksonian guided imagery. Programs such as the Past Is Prologue (which employ learning stories to illustrate or point up problem areas), use storytelling to create a safe place to introduce a "dangerous" subject area. Storytelling through time, has been used to communicate learning and integration of life events in a way other current techniques cannot touch. In this session, Elizabeth Langston, a psychologist and licensed professional counselor will present summary data gathered from cases in her own practice regarding healing the traumas of experiencers plus an interview process she uses to help promote the beginning of the storytelling, and to set the stage for integrating the storytelling into the counseling session.

Out of The Mouths of Babes: What Children Teach Us About the Meaning of Life and Death

Harold Widdison, Ph.D.

alt

Most individuals do not consider stillbirths or miscarriages to be the equivalent of a death because they believe the spirit or life force enters the body with the first breath of air. therefore a stillbirth is not a child, but an unfortunate, even tragic, failure to have a child. This sense of failure, or not having a child, makes it very difficult for may parents to complete their grieving as they sincerely feel that they have lost a child. Harold Widdison will share case examples illustrative of encounters with those who were stillborn or miscarried and the messages they wanted their mothers to receive.

The Medical Profession and NDErs: Creating a Positive Connection

Pamela Kircher, M.D.

alt

The relationships between Near-Death Experiencers and health care professionals has often been a problematic one and sometimes a very hopeful one.  In this presentation, Dr. Kircher will discuss the historical perspective as well as the ways that the relationship has been changing over the past ten years and some practical aspects about approaching health care professional concerning NDEs.  Dr. Kircher is a Family Practice physician who had a Near-Death Experience as a young child.  She has worked as a hospice physician, a clinical instructor at Baylor College of Medicine, a NDE support group facilitator and has authored the book Love is the Link (opens in a new window).

Panel - Various NDE Related Topics

Jo Ann Marnie, Moderator, Barbara With, & Gloria Gieske

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available
The Emerging Coyote

Victor Escalante

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available
Prebirth Encounters and NDEs

Sarah Hinze, B.Sc. & Brent Hinze, Ph.D.

alt

In the summer of 1995 we presented some of our research at the IANDS conference at the University of Hartford based on the following: Several years ago Sarah had encounters with some our children before they were born. Encounters occurred through dreams, hearing a noise, sensing a presence, seeing a presence, etc. She initially shared her prebirth encounters (PBEs) only with immediate family, but wondered if other people had similar experiences. She initiated a quest and soon located others who had been or heard from their future children before they were born, or even before conception. Brent joined Sarah in her research.
A Contribution of Tipler's Omega Point Theory to NDE Studies

James Crumbaugh, Ph.D.

alt

A fundamental principle of behavioral and natural scientists is reductionism: all mental phenomena can be reduced to a physical basis. Phenomena which have no physical basis cannot really exist. For most scientists this rules out "transpersonal", "New Age", spiritual or noetic, religious and related phenomena, all of which maintain strongly antireductionist positions. Thus believers in NDEs have an uphill battle to stay scientifically afloat.
Amazing Grace: Healing Effects of NDEs on Those Dying and Grieving

Bruce Horacek, Ph.D.

alt

Ring (1991) argued that NDEs act as compensatory gifts helping individuals cope with and understand life's difficulties. He saw NDEs as conferring "amazing grace" on individuals whose lives were spinning out of control toward self-destruction. Expanding on Ring's contention that NDEs can be seen as healing gifts, this session presents evidence of seven categorical situations where participating in or knowledge or NDEs and nearing-death awareness experiences serve as healing agents in facing one's own death or the death of significant others. NDEs and nearing-awareness experiences seem to fee persons from paralyzing death anxiety and, consequently, allow them to focus on additional ways to help each other face dying and grieving.
Suicide and the NDE

Sandra Rogers

alt

Sandra Rogers begins this session by reviewing her own suicide attempt and subsequent NDE when she fired a .38 caliber pistol into her chest. She then discusses the questions of whether or not suicide is an unforgivable sin, whether or not suicide is an escape from life's tough lessons, and the determining factor of kind of experience one has in the afterlife following a suicide. Answers to the above are based upon the accounts of NDEs, her own and others Ms Rogers has investigated since her own experience

After-Death Communications: A New Field of Research Confirms That Life and Love are Eternal

Bill Guggenheim

alt

In 1977 we learned about remarkable experiences that often occur after the death of a loved one.  Though they have been reported though history, no one had ever given them a name or studied them systematically.  We named these experiences "After-Death Communications."  We began our research in 1988 by interviewing people who replied "Yes" to our question, "Have you been contacted by a loved one who has died?"

There is a related web site (opens in a new window).

Experiencer Panel A

Panel Members

alt

The experiencer panels are always some of the high points of the conference. Each of the four or so experiencers on the panel tells his or her experience and answers questions from the audience.
Second Birth: What Really Happens When Children Have a NDE

PMH Atwater, L.H.D.

alt

Children of any age--even babies making their journey through the birth canal--can die, have a near-death experience, and live to speak of it as soon as they have language and can find willing listeners.  How many children cross the borderland into the bright worlds on the other side of death, no one knows; but Melvin Morse, MD, in his ground breaking research on children's near-death experiences estimated that incident rates may be as high as 75%, more than anyone ever imagined.  Missing from research, however, is an in depth study of these children and what they experience as sifted through their own uniquely special perspective.  PMH Atwater has spoken before of her work with children, mentioning it in all three of her previous works on near-death and transformative states of consciousness.  With this talk, though, she will focus on her next book, "Second Birth", and what appears to really happen when children have a near-death experience.

Related materials are available on-line (opens in a new window).

The NDE: What Caregivers Need to Know

Diane Corcoran, Ph.D.

alt

No matter what you personally think happens in an NDE, its effects on the experiencer are profound. In this session, the basic NDE will be discussed, what it is, how it occurs, typical experiencer reactions to be aware of, and how to handle the experiencer with compassion and understanding.
20 Years of Near-Death Studies: Where Do We Go From Here?

Raymond Moody, M.D., Ph.D.

alt

Dr. Moody began his research into NDEs over twenty years ago.  Since then he has written seven books, including Life After Life (opens in a new window), which has sold over 10 million copies world wide.  He is credited with coining the phrase "near-death experience," a concept on which he is a leading expert.  In this presentation, Dr. Moody will be looking back on the years since he first entered the field and reflecting on where the research has taken us all.
Panel - Family Members of NDErs

Panel Members

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available
How to Maintain a Healthy IANDS Group

Kim Clark Sharp, M.S.W., Greg Wilson, & Lee Campbell

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available

Panel - Spiritually Related NDE Topics

Elizabeth Fenske, Ph.D., Moderator, Boyce Batey, Gracia Fay Ellwood, & Sandra Rogers

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available

Psycholtherapeutic and Spiritual Implications of the NDE

Elizabeth Fenske, Ph.D.

alt

No description of this presentation is currently available

Experiencer Panel B

Panel Members

alt

The experiencer panels are always some of the high points of the conference. Each of the four or so experiencers on the panel tells his or her experience and answers questions from the audience.

Connect

twitter  you tube  facebook

Explore the Extraordinary