The perception held by certain individuals that they have glimpsed an afterlife when coming close to death.
Mystical experience that occurs to some people who have been near death.
Most often people who have an NDE say they felt themselves leave their body, and many report floating above it, observing what’s happening to themselves and observing other events in the vicinity. They also report perceiving themselves traveling through a dark, narrow tunnel toward a lighted opening. Once they near or arrive at the light, they may meet “beings of light,” in many cases their own deceased relatives and friends; in others, mystical beings. These beings are usually encouraging and supportive. Often the experiencers are told by the beings to return to their bodies; in some cases, they believe they have a choice of returning to their bodies or remaining with the beings of light; those who return to life believe they have chosen to do so.