Medical technology continues to progress at a staggering pace. Accordingly, countless victims of trauma and disease _return_ from states of _near death_ every year. This process is no longer deemed a miracle, when it occurs, rather it has become commonplace. It is expected.Though disdained by skeptics as hallucination, the phenomenon known as the _Near Death Experience_, or NDE, is nonetheless a reality for many millions of currently extant human beings. Whatever their true cause or meaning, many of these experiences share common themes.Many NDE_s report a sharp contrast between the Dark and the Light. Often, the Light is associated with feelings of overwhelming peace and joy.Many NDE_s report the presence of a Being of Light. Some report the presence of a Being of Shadow.Many NDE_s indicate that the Light is blindingly brilliant, though its brilliance is painless. Often, a conversation takes place between the _near dead_ and the Being, whether of Light or Shadow.Often, a choice is central to the experience. Go? Or stay?Most NDE_s describe an alternate reality that exists beyond the threshold of death. Though individual descriptions of this reality vary, most imply that it is a vast, eternal and sentient construct.While most NDE survivors report calming, reassuring experiences, a few speak of horrific, disturbing ordeals. Regardless of its nature, the Near Death Experience irrevocably alters all that survive it.
