Dive into the enigmatic realm of near-death experiences (NDEs) with this episode of This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Long's compelling insights. Drawing from an extensive database of over 5,000 cases, Long uncovers a world where consistent patterns and common elements challenge the boundaries of our traditional understanding of consciousness and reality. Journey through the surprising revelations of NDEs—from otherworldly journeys and veridical perceptions to brushes with a realm pure in peace and love, defying every cultural and religious preconception.
This episodic conversation also explores the profound impact NDEs have on the human psyche, with empahsis on the inexplicable decisions faced by individuals at the brink of existence—whether to remain in the comforting embrace of the unearthly or return to their worldly lives. Long presents an NDE perspective where the essence of life is eternal, love is paramount, and every action reverberates throughout the continuum of a collective consciousness. Open your mind to Dr. Long's thought-provoking examples, each weaving a narrative that suggests a cosmic significance of our earthly sojourn.
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Jeffrey Long's research into over 5,000 near-death experiences (NDEs) reveals a logical and consistent pattern, regardless of cultural or religious background. Typical elements include out-of-body experiences, tunnel travel, and encounters with a brilliant light, often occurring during unconsciousness or clinical death, states where consciousness and memory formation should theoretically not be possible. He reports instances of veridical perceptions where individuals observed events beyond the reach of their physical senses, providing strong evidence for the reality of NDEs. Long argues against skepticism, presenting cases of accurate out-of-body observations by very young children and a blind woman, indicative of genuine experiences that defy conventional understanding of human consciousness.
Long's findings suggest those who undergo NDEs consistently describe encounters with realms characterized by intense peace, love, and a profound sense of unity. Joyful reunions with deceased loved ones, including pets, are common, where earthly conflicts seem inconsequential. Experiencers express feelings of overwhelming contentment and an omnipresent love that dissolves any past grievances, indicating a transcendence of earthly troubles in these unearthly realms.
During an NDE, individuals face the pivotal decision to stay in the peaceful unearthly realm or return to earthly life. Most are tempted to stay, compelled by the profound peace and love they feel. A key factor in their decision is the reassurance about their loved ones' eventual well-being, liberating them from the worry of leaving family and friends behind. This reassurance supports the inclination to remain in a state of serenity, understanding that any separation is temporary.
Encounters with a divine presence, often identified as God, during NDEs are consistently described as defying human language and conception. Experiencers report an all-encompassing love that feels like a return to a true home, provoking an intense sensation of oneness with everything. Far from traditional individualistic religious concepts, the experiences hint at an understanding of life anchored in unity and unconditional love. Long suggests these insights should inspire a life lived with compassion, emphasizing that unity and love are the highest lessons from NDEs, guiding us toward recognition of our eternal and infinite nature.
Long concludes that NDEs profoundly alter individuals' perspective on life, emphasizing the deep significance of our earthly lessons for our souls and for eternity. These experiences illuminate human existence within an eternal context, suggesting that our lives are momentary parts of a larger, infinite picture. Love and relationships are pivotal, with enduring consequences that go beyond present comprehension. He introduces the concept of a collective consciousness, proposing that our choices have lasting effects on our soul and the universal community. Long's work conveys the ethos that life is a fleeting segment of an everlasting journey, with our current actions echoing into infinity.
1-Page Summary
Jeffrey Long's extensive research into near-death experiences (NDEs) suggests a remarkable consistency in the reports of these events, which challenges the understanding of consciousness and perception.
Jeffrey Long, who has researched over 5,000 cases of near-death experiences, notes that there is a logical and consistent pattern to these experiences, which typically include elements like out-of-body experiences, traveling through a tunnel, and encountering an unearthly light. These experiences occur under conditions such as unconsciousness or clinical death, where lucid consciousness and memory formation should be impossible.
Jeffrey Long dismisses the skeptic's view that NDEs are simply reflections of pre-existing beliefs, emphasizing that even very young children, culturally uninformed about religion or afterlife, report NDEs with content that's statistically similar to those reported by adults. Confirming the universality of NDEs, Long’s research encompasses a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds, demonstrating similar experiences across cultures.
Jeffrey Long's investigations include compelling cases where individuals have reported accurate details during out-of-body experiences that they could not have possibly observed through normal sensory perception. For instance, a woman who was severely injured in a horse-riding accident described verifiable events that occurred more than a mile away from her physical body, and Vicki, a blind person, could see her ...
Near-death experiences are consistent and display common elements
Long discusses the commonalities in the experiences of those who have survived near-death. Overwhelmingly, experiencers describe the unearthly realms as peaceful and loving, conveying a profound sense of unity and connection that transcends earthly troubles.
During these near-death encounters, individuals often report joyous reunions with those who have passed on, including beloved pets. Despite any earthly strains or resentments, Long emphasizes that these issues become non-existent in the afterlife setting of a near-death experience. Survivors describe overwhelming feelings of peace and love, suggesting all past gr ...
Near-death experiencers encounter unearthly realms of great beauty and intense feelings of peace, love and unity
Jeff Long discusses the profound decision that individuals encounter during near-death experiences (NDEs): whether to remain in the enchanting unearthly realm or to return to their earthly existence.
In the depth of an NDE, the overwhelming majority of people are inclined to remain due to the powerful feelings of peace and love they encounter. The intoxicating allure of the unearthly realm's tranquility often makes the choice to stay there irresistible.
One significant factor contributing to the pull of staying is the reassurance experiencers receive about the well-being of their loved ones they would leave behind ...
There is overwhelming free will and choice for near-death experiencers about staying or returning
Jeffrey Long engages in a profound discussion about near-death experiences (NDEs), emphasizing that people who have them often encounter an entity or presence that is beyond human language and conception, often referred to as "God."
During these NDEs, individuals report feeling enveloped in an overwhelming love, which is likened to the intensity of feeling welcomed back to a place they can regard as home—a place indicative of an unconditional love reminiscent of the unity felt in a meaningful hug.
The most consistent theme in near-death experiences, according to Long, is this sensation of unity and oneness, which he describes as "ultra love". Experiencers often report a 360-degree or spherical vision that suggests an intense feeling of oneness with all, though this was not directly linked to God or unconditional love. This sense of unity and oneness, described by those who have faced NDEs, deviates from traditional Western concepts of an individualistic religious experience.
Jeffrey Long emphasizes that these experiences should influence how life is lived—highlighting the importance of living with consid ...
Descriptions of God are beyond human conception
Jeffrey Long's research reveals dramatic transformations in those who have experienced near-death experiences (NDEs), deeply impacting their view of life's significance.
NDEs can reshape one's understanding of existence and the importance of life's lessons, effectively influencing how experiencers and others view the meaning of life.
Jeffrey Long explores the concept of human existence within an eternal framework, illuminated by insights from near-death experiences.
From Long's account of a woman with Hodgkin Lymphoma who, during her NDE, understood the significance of her choice to return to life or to pass on, it is evident that NDEs can have a tremendous impact on one's earthly journey. Such an account highlights the deep interconnection between our earthly actions and our eternal soul's trajectory.
Long's NDE research indicates that the lessons learned about love and relationships on Earth have an importance that extends far beyond our current understanding. He suggests that the perspectives and understandings gained in the afterlife may alter our view of existential concerns, within a realm where love and unity dominate.
Drawing a parallel, Theo Von describes his psychedelic experiences—though distinct from NDEs—as moments where mundane matters feel trivial, yet simultaneously suggesting that living life has enduring consequences.
Jeffrey Long further discusses the notion of old and young souls, alluding to the idea that earthly existence is but a fragment of an ongoing journey and that experiences here contribute to a larger voyage of the soul.
He also stresses that the relationships and experiences of humanity contribute to shared, collective consciousness. He posits that love and actions in the physical world carry weight that echoes through eternity, influencing both the individual and collective soul.
Long delves into the notion of a shared consciousness, proposing our earthly expressions of love and the choices made ripple through eternity with substa ...
Earthly existence has great meaning and purpose
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