What is a Near-Death Experience?

What is a Near-Death Experience (NDE)?

Although most people who have come close to death say they remember nothing, a third or more may later report that "something happened." That "something" might be a near-death experience, an NDE.

No two NDEs are identical, but within a group of experiences a pattern becomes evident. The pattern (and any single experience) includes one or more of these things:

Feeling that the "self" has left the body and is hovering overhead. The person may later be able to describe who was where and what happened, sometimes in detail.
Moving through a dark space or tunnel.
Experiencing intensely powerful emotions, ranging from bliss to terror.
Encountering a light. It is usually described as golden or white, and as being magnetic and loving; occasionally it is perceived as a reflection of the fires of hell.
Receiving some variant of the message "It is not yet your time."
Meeting others: may be deceased loved ones, recognized from life or not; sacred beings; unidentified entities and/or "beings of light"; sometimes symbols from one's own or other religious traditions.
A life review, seeing and re-experiencing major and trivial events of one's life, sometimes from the perspective of the other people involved, and coming to some conclusion about the adequacy of that life and what changes are needed.
Having a sense of understanding everything, of knowing how the universe works.
Reaching a boundary-a cliff, fence, water, some kind of barrier that may not be crossed if one is to return to life.
In some cases, entering a city or library.
Rarely, receiving previously unknown information about one's life-i.e., adoption or hidden parentage, deceased siblings.
Decision to return may be voluntary or involuntary. If voluntary, usually associated with unfinished responsibilities.
Returning to the body.