EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION  11/1/12

Two years after losing my 16 year old son following a horrific auto accident, I went to bed as usual one night. His name was Carson and he was very spiritual and had lived his brief 16 years as an exceptional Christian example. I found myself hovering in mid-air above a beautiful river.  I knew there was no ground beneath my feet but I did not feel afraid at all.  Directly across from me, was a glorious waterfall flowing into the river.  I remember the colors around me were so vivid and clear.  Above the waterfall, there was my son, Carson.  All I could see was from his waist up and he was so beautiful with a sort of glowing light around him.  Somehow, I knew that I could not touch him--as if I knew I was not pure enough to do so.  I understood my boundaries yet knew I was in a whole different "state" of being.  We began to communicate and did so for what seemed to be hours.  I remember the luscious 3-D Ivy around him and somehow, I knew that in that state, I could accept and comprehend the subject matter we were discussing.  We never once opened our mouths as we communicated.  It was all mind-to-mind.  When we were finished, I began to feel my body slowly moving away from him and this glorious place.  As I moved away, he said, "when you awaken, you will not be able to recall anything we've talked about."  I responded (mind-to mind), "I understand." When I awoke the next morning, I felt so good--so excited and hopeful.  My spouse said, "what happened to you last night?"  I said, "what do you mean?"  He said that I had talked in my sleep all night long after moving to the far edge of the bed.  (I never talk in my sleep.)  Hoping he might have picked up on a few words to enlighten me about the discussion I couldn't recall, I asked him, "what did I say?"  He said, "I couldn't understand a single word you said---it was like some foreign language!"  To this day and especially during the anniversary of his passing, I am reminded about the discussion we had and I wonder what on earth it was about and why I still don't recall it.  I feel that someday, when the time is right, that information will be revealed to me.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No      

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     The vivid colors, 3-D like objects, and the mind-to-mind communication

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           I don't really recall.  I just felt that I was totally somewhere else besides my bed in my house.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Quite the opposite.  My dreams, when I happen to remember them at all, are senseless pieces that do not necessarily connect or are based on things that have happened in my life.  This was clear from start to end and unlike my dreams I soon forget, I still recall every vivid detail of this event 18 years later.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Uncertain      I could still see my body while I was hovering---but my body was sort of transparent, not normal.  It was just enough there for me to know it was my legs and feet when I looked down at the river and realized I was hovering in the air above it.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Oddly enough, I felt warmth, peace, assurance and I also felt certain that my son was in a position of great honor...and I also felt there was a deliberate purpose in whatever it was that we discussed.  I took it very seriously, even though I cannot yet recall it.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           A soft, flowing sound of the waterfall and the river.  Birds singing in the distance.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?            Uncertain      I believe the river I was hovering above had extreme significance, although I am still not clear as to why.

Did you see a light?           Yes     The light that was all around was filled with love, warmth and peace.  The light that seemed to come from my son's body, was just so beautiful.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No      

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? No      

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Uncertain      As previously mentioned, I cannot yet recall what we discussed, although I feel very strongly that it is going to become quite significant in the future somehow.

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Uncertain            I felt like I totally understood everything I was feeling, seeing, thinking, hearing in my head.  It was as if I knew I was in a different state than my earthly state and that I was compliant to the rules without anyone instructing me on what they actually were there.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes     I felt I was with my son for many hours, but I woke up feeling more refreshed than ever.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes     To this day, I feel certain that in that particular state, I knew so much more and understood so much more than I do in my earthly state.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             Yes     In my earthly state, I would have certainly lunged toward my son to grab hold of him, touch him, hug him...but somehow, in that spiritual realm, I knew "not" to do this.  It was like I somehow knew that and did not even consider crossing that spiritual boundary.

Did you become aware of future events?       Uncertain      I feel at some point, the information we discussed will be revealed to me at some designated and appropriate time.  I feel almost certain that it has something to do with my future or the future in general.

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Yes     It was not "my" decision to return.  It was all very spontaneous from the very start and at the end, I didn't want to go back...but somehow, realized and accepted that I had no choice.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes     I have always had some strange abilities regarding dreams, visions, spiritual (unseen) things, and premonitions that came to pass.  However, many years after this experience, I was working for a psychiatric type program for older adults when a particular patient I was fond of killed himself.  I was very hurt and angry at him.  I went out on my patio that night and begged God to give me a sign the patient was okay via shooting star.  Nothing happened.  Later that evening, I was half awake, half asleep on the couch when I heard this weird static sound in my ear.  I suddenly saw what seemed to be a very fogged up window and gradually could hear a man's voice.  The voice became quite clear and I recognized it was the patient who killed himself.  He was yelling, "it's me, Rene'...I just need you to know that I'm alright."  I freaked out a bit and suddenly sprang straight up on the couch.  I began to sob uncontrollably.  My husband was alarmed and asked if I was okay.  I couldn't even speak at that point.  I got up and ran outside on the patio, looked up and there it was----a shooting star!  I have never had anything like that happen before or since.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     I no longer believe that Heaven is in the sky as I was taught during childhood.  I belive Heaven is simply a different realm and it is very close to us here on earth.  I have had many instances that I used to think I was dreaming when I would take off running and lift my body into the air by mere will.  I have flown above the trees, houses so many times at night.  Now, I am not so sure those are dreams...but maybe experiences of moving into that different realm.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I spent 30 plus years in the broadcast industry and suddenly did a complete u-turn and got into the medical field.  I have a deep desire and compassion for others and long to help those who are hurting.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes     I see death in a whole new light.  I am not afraid of it and long for my day to go!

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Very selectively and only to those who are very spiritual minded.  Some believe and some "act" as if they do.  I don't care what anyone thinks because "I" know without any doubt it was for real!

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Joy, peace, and a continuous longing to go back there for good!

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best was seeing my son and knowing he was in a place of great honor for all he had given to God in his 16 years.  The worst was having to leave and left to ponder what the message is that has not been revealed yet.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        No.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No      

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes    

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.    None, very thorough.