Sandy and I had been out to a local bar and pool room for a few drinks and headed home together in a taxi around midnight, at that time we often spent the night in each others houses depending on how we felt. On this night I said goodnight to Sandy in the taxi and she said she would check on her dog and may or may not come back to my place later (she had a key). I'm not a night owl so I was happy to get to bed. I was in a deep sleep when I felt a weight lie on the bed next to me and the most amazing feeling of love and peace and whilst it seems strange to say there was a feeling of golden light. I tried to turn to see if Sandy had come back, as she said she might, but despite numerous attempts I couldn't turn to see what I thought was her. I glanced at the bedside clock and noticed it was 3 am, I then fell asleep again with the most amazing feeling of warmth surrounding me.

I woke suddenly at 7 am to the phone ringing beside my bed and looked around my bedroom because there was no sign of Sandy which I thought was strange but I couldn't dwell on it as the phone was ringing and ringing. I answered the phone and it was my Mum calling from England sadly telling me my Dad had died. My Mum explained a little bit of how he died and told me he died at exactly 3 pm (this was 3 am New Zealand time). I felt very mixed emotions and feelings. I felt sad and cold and tingly as I started to believe that the warm, loving presence that lay on my bed at 3 am was my Dad saying goodbye.

Since then I have had a number of unusual 'spiritual' experiences that seem to confirm that there is more to life than just our Earthly experiences, yet I've never felt I have irrefutable proof. Just recently I've started to read about NDE's and other spiritual experiences and I've read many stories that are similar to mine but I still feel like I'm searching to the answer to the mystery.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No 

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Normal consciousness and alertness   I felt my consciousness was normal but the things I was feeling were extraordinary.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   An overwhelming feeling of Love, Joy, Warmth and Peace. I never wanted it to end.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   Uncertain   I felt rather saw a golden light.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   No

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   As I said it was an extraordinary experience one I hoped was possible but I never felt that way before.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience.   As above it was an extraordinary experience one I hoped was possible but I never felt that way before.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I became more open to spirituality and had a renewed focus on solving the 'mystery of life;.

My experience directly resulted in:   Moderate changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   No  

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Yes   I seem to be able to 'know' things that will happen or precise knowledge of what people are thinking and feeling.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     The overwhelming feeling of Love, Joy and Peace felt familiar. I believed I knew it and wanted to be near it forever.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  Straight afterwards and off and on in the ensuing years.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   The feelings were so familiar to me, as they faded I fought to hold on to them but just like a mist they dissipated over time.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   Re-telling my story and thinking about everything that has happened since reassures me that there is more to life.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Uncertain   I think I'm a better person but only others can judge this.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No  

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   I'm not sure we are meant to know what happens after we die but I'm very very intrigued and hopeful that my spirit will live on.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes   Whilst I didn't have an NDE I'm convinced something happened that night but I don't know how to classify it.