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Proof of an Afterlife: the Shared-Death Experience with Raymond Moody and Paul Perry

New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove・42 minutes read

The New Thinking Allowed magazine discusses near-death experiences, shared death experiences, and the impact of research on these phenomena, highlighting growing acceptance among different communities and the profound effects on individuals' lives. Discussions also cover the portrayal of NDEs in popular culture, research by individuals like Jeff Long, and the potential for future advancements to explore the afterlife through enhanced consciousness.

Insights

  • Raymond Moody's book "Life After Life" introduced the term "near-death experience," becoming a global success with over 15 million copies sold, highlighting the widespread interest in exploring phenomena beyond traditional medical realms.
  • The speaker's research on near-death experiences faced contrasting reactions from medical professionals appreciative of the insights and fundamentalist groups labeling the work as demonic, showcasing the diverse responses to exploring the boundaries between life and death.

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Recent questions

  • What is the New Thinking Allowed magazine about?

    The New Thinking Allowed magazine, available for free download at newthinkingallowed.org, features conversations on knowledge and discovery hosted by psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove. It covers various topics, including near-death experiences, shared death experiences, and the exploration of reasons to believe in an afterlife.

  • Who coined the term "near-death experience"?

    Raymond Moody coined the term "near-death experience" in his book "Life After Life," which aimed at medical professionals and became a worldwide hit with over 15 million copies sold. The book explores shared death experiences, personal encounters, and reasons to believe in an afterlife.

  • What are shared death experiences?

    Shared death experiences involve living individuals witnessing the death experience of a dying person. Raymond Moody and Paul Perry share personal shared death experiences in their book "Proof of Life After Life," exploring seven reasons to believe in an afterlife. These experiences often involve unique sensations and spiritual presences felt by those present.

  • How have near-death experiences impacted individuals' lives?

    Near-death experiences, particularly life reviews, significantly impact individuals' lives by providing transformative psychotherapy, new perspectives on past actions, increased intuition, and psychic experiences. These experiences have influenced people's views on the afterlife, spirituality, and religion, leading to a deeper understanding of consciousness and perception.

  • What historical evidence exists for near-death experiences?

    Near-death experiences are ancient and have historical evidence, seen in Egyptian wall art and archaeological findings. The rise of near-death experiences is based on factual reasons and advancements in medical technology, highlighting the enduring nature of these profound encounters throughout history.

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Summary

00:00

New Thinking Allowed Magazine: Free Download

  • New Thinking Allowed magazine issue 3 is available for free download at newthinkingallowed.org
  • Contributions to the New Thinking Allowed Foundation support video production
  • Hosted by psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove, the magazine features conversations on knowledge and discovery
  • Raymond Moody coined the term "near-death experience" in his book "Life After Life"
  • The book, aimed at medical professionals, became a worldwide hit with over 15 million copies sold
  • Paul Perry, co-author of "Proof of Life After Life," has written on diverse topics including near-death experiences
  • The book explores seven reasons to believe in an afterlife
  • Shared death experiences involve living individuals witnessing the death experience of a dying person
  • Raymond Moody and Paul Perry share personal shared death experiences in the book
  • Raymond Moody describes a shared death experience involving his mother's passing, with unique sensations and spiritual presence felt

14:54

"Near-Death Experiences: Acceptance and Controversy"

  • The speaker recounts an experience where a loved one, who had been unconscious, suddenly expressed love twice, though not audibly.
  • The speaker conducted the "Denny's experiment" to gather people's near-death and shared-death experiences, revealing a significant number of individuals with such encounters.
  • Medical faculty members were supportive of the speaker's research on near-death experiences, with eight professors expressing gratitude for shedding light on the topic.
  • The speaker faced opposition from fundamentalist groups who labeled the research as demonic, contrasting with the medical community's acceptance.
  • The story of George Ritchie, who saw Jesus during a near-death experience in the 1940s, was shared, highlighting the challenges he faced due to differing beliefs.
  • The International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS) conference was mentioned, showcasing the evolving acceptance of paranormal experiences within various communities.
  • The speaker's observations on the increased discussion of near-death experiences among doctors and the changing attitudes towards such phenomena were discussed.
  • The speaker emphasized the importance of open communication between doctors and patients regarding near-death experiences, contrasting with past reluctance to address such occurrences.
  • The speaker's early experiences with collecting stories on near-death experiences during medical school were detailed, highlighting the gradual acceptance and interest in the topic.
  • The impact of the speaker's book, "Life After Life," on popular culture and the gradual acceptance of near-death experiences despite initial skepticism and opposition were noted.

28:09

Exploring Near-Death Experiences: From Film to Reality

  • The movie "Resurrection" with Ellen Burstyn was released in 1980, depicting near-death experiences (NDEs) where individuals see their body, light, and deceased loved ones.
  • Prior to this movie, NDEs were experienced but not widely discussed or documented in books.
  • The movie's portrayal of NDEs was gratifying for those who had experienced them, leading to subsequent movies and TV series on the topic.
  • The conversation shifts to personal preferences, with one individual expressing a lack of interest in social interactions and a focus on facts and things.
  • Mention of movies like "Ghost" and "Defending My Life" that touch on similar themes of NDEs.
  • Jeff Long's extensive research on NDEs reveals a high percentage of people, regardless of religious background, reporting seeing Jesus during their experiences.
  • Discussion on the common ground created by experiences like NDEs, which transcend political, religious, and racial divides.
  • The increasing interest in NDEs and consciousness studies among millennials and Generation Z, who are the largest religious group known as the Nones.
  • The natural curiosity about life after death that arises in individuals as they age, leading to a developmental question about the afterlife.
  • Personal anecdotes shared, such as a friend's transformative experience after a near-death encounter, highlighting the profound impact of NDEs on individuals' lives.

43:02

"Life-changing near-death experiences and afterlife insights"

  • Near-death experiences are ancient and have historical evidence, seen in Egyptian wall art and archaeological findings.
  • The rise of near-death experiences is based on factual reasons and advancements in medical technology.
  • Near-death experiences involve enhanced consciousness and life reviews, where individuals relive their lives in detail.
  • Life reviews during near-death experiences are impactful, with time standing still and a compassionate being guiding the process.
  • Life reviews suggest a two-phase process of living life forward and then experiencing it from others' perspectives.
  • Approximately 30% to 40% of people who have near-death experiences undergo life reviews.
  • Life reviews act as transformative psychotherapy, providing a new perspective on past actions.
  • Near-death experiences, particularly life reviews, significantly impact individuals' lives, leading to increased intuition and psychic experiences.
  • The acceptance and study of near-death experiences have influenced people's views on the afterlife, spirituality, and religion.
  • Future advancements may allow individuals to volitionally visit the afterlife through methods that enhance consciousness and perception.
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