A doctor recounts patient stories from her five-year clinical study of Near-Death Experiences, revealing how this phenomenon is more powerful than we realize Dr. Penny Sartori is a registered nurse who began researching Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) in 1995 after one of her long-term intensive care patients begged her to let him die in peace. Inspired by this encounter, she went on to research … on to research NDEs in a PhD program, where she learned profound spiritual lessons and made startling discoveries that she now shares in The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences.
During her academic work, Dr. Sartori studied three samples of ICU patients during a five-year period. Here, she recounts the eye-opening stories of those patients who experienced NDEs and out-of-body experiences (OBEs). In one group, as many as 18% of patients experienced an NDE—though Patient #10 stood out among the others. After being unresponsive, he awoke to report he had experienced an OBE. He was able to describe what happened in the hospital room while he was unconscious and claimed he met not only his deceased father but a Jesus-like figure. Most shocking of all, he had regained the use of his hand—which had been paralyzed since birth.
When talking about the biggest takeaways from her research, Dr. Sartori shares how her findings have made her question the common belief that the brain gives rise to consciousness. Most importantly, she has gained a deeper appreciation for death—an experience she now views with less fear and anxiety.
In addition to detailing dozens of case studies, The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences also discusses childhood NDEs, the differences in NDEs among different cultures, and the after-effects of NDEs.
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I was disappointed that a christian prospective was not written about. I would love in more detail how the lives of these people were changed.
This lacked the insights and metaphysical significance I had hoped for.
My wife is reading this and enjoying it
Interesting review of her research although her total numbers are limited due to having to do it all herself. She does a good review of other literature on NDE.
This was a hard read for me. Working in the ministry and the funeral business, I have my own understanding of this phenomenon, and I often found my understandings at odds with the author, but there were many times I agreed.
Don’t give up on this book! I was interested in the concept and have heard some about “Near Death Experiences” and wanted to learn more. However when I began reading it seemed like it was a series of anecdotes which I felt like I could have read almost anywhere. The “good stuff” started coming when the writing turned to the reason(s) the book was written and Penny does a wonderful job of relating how the acceptance that an NDE is really a thing can help in caregiving, spirituality, and understanding (or at least accepting) life in general. She does a masterful job of showing how spirituality and science do not have to be mutually exclusive, but in fact can (and in my opinion, do) exist together and both are worthy of exploring. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there! Thanks for opening what I thought was my already open mind.
This is the most exceptional book I’ve ever read in this field. The author challenges modern medical attitudes that advocate sustaining life at any cost to the patient, countering that death is but a continuation of the journey and is not to be feared. She points out the striking similarities that mark near-death experiences over a broad spectrum of races and beliefs, challenging and pretty much discrediting the various”scientific” theories that attempt to explain near-death experiences. Her summary is inspirational, citing the conclusion that we are all part of a universal “oneness,” that loved ones we’ve “lost” actually remain much closer to us that we realize.This is one of the few books I didn’t delete from my Kindle after I finished reading it. I know I’m going to want to browse through it again and again.
Ok but nothing special!
I find the subject fascinating but after having read about a third of the book, I hadn’t learnt anything I didn’t already know.
As my husband was dying I felt I needed this book to help me with my beginning grief process and to understand more of what it may be like for him when he crossed over and was no longer with me.
this is most enlightening and interesting it gives me hope that death can be calm and beautiful.
I enjoyed this book there was some new insight for me and it kept me engaged.
Can’t give this one a good review….hard to read, too scientific and not enough about the humanity involved in these experiences. …the book lost me before I could finish it which doesn’t happen often. Sorry.
The book is a useful addition to those that explore near-death experiences. The writing is clear, informative, and the points are well made. It complements other material, in some cases completing work whose beginnings were suggested in earlier publications.
You will be best served if you come to this book with an open mind and avoid pre-judging the content.
NDEs are real. REINCARNATION IS REAL.
very important topic, and should be of great interest to everyone alive.
Interesting to read about NDE s from a British perspective. Subtle differences.
Interesting and very well researched.