by +Chrissie Apollonia Nicolles
The subject of NDE [near-death experience] has forever fascinated me since reading Dr. Raymond Moody’s groundbreaking book Life After Life – a research of hundreds of NDE cases proving the staggering magnitude it has to change our attitudes toward death + life … so I posit herein, there’s a fresh new world awaiting our last breath + it’s not darkness!
I also met Dr. Moody, long ago in New York who shared he was an atheist during his research of the NDE, but is no more. We also learnt we both esteemed Plato, who also was interested in cases of the supposed dead who returned to life with stories of another world…Plato’s views on the afterlife are expressed in his dialogues especially in “Republic” + “Phaedra’s” believing the soul is immortal + survives death of the body.
For Plato the focus on philosophy is a preparation for death… for monastics of Eastern Orthodox, their focus is on death as preparation for Theosis… + I for one say: following arrival of the God/Man Jesus, the experiential of Theosis is attainable + goes beyond Plato’s positing the ‘existence of the Forms’ – [‘unchanging ideals that exist in a realm beyond material world’]. And many Saints have achieved this apotheosis.
Dr. Moody says the NDE even relates to St. Paul’s description of the “third heaven”+ the apostle’s reference asking,
“O death, where is thy sting?”
For me, the NDE is proof of Heaven… despite never having one, I emphatically believe it – I’ve tasted a glimpse of that other world from an ‘out of body’ encounter … I saw an Angel standing before me: I departed my physical state; I knew I entered my glorified body of light, encircled by intense pinklight… it was ineffable, as if retrieving my true self.
Take my word of honor, your glorified body of light is primordial — not the restrictive corpse we so cling to.
Also, Bishop Athanasios of Limassol aka well known “Fr. Maximos” in books by Greek writer Kyriacos Markides who has defended the spiritual reality of NDE; he was a student of St. Paisios of Mt. Athos.
And take note, St. Paisios believed in the NDE but he warned, “discernment is key + to recognize, that those returning from an NDE have only experienced the very initial stages of death, not the full reality of the Afterlife!”
“Also, a true vision should lead to increased spiritual transformation.”
I listened recently to the following NDE on YouTube of Mr. John J. Davis + you can hear more of him on YT. John is a devout Christian, a husband + father who’s given much colorful detail of his NDE;
I reached out to him at his home in Colorado for testimony.
John speaks with great clarity + remembers this life changing event over 40 years ago, like it was yesterday + explains it wonderfully; it’s his “mission” to enlighten us that death doesn’t exist. Recalling in detail is his takeaway gift from visiting Heaven – some people return from other side with clairvoyance or retain many different abilities.
The story goes, he was 21, riding a scooter, while trying to avoid hitting a squirrel, he slammed into a tree tearing his hand which landed him in hospital surgery room only to find he had allergic reaction to Anesthesia + died —
John was gone 7 minutes.
“Something remarkable happened” said John… he remembers vividly oping his eyes + standing up in the most beautiful Grecian white marble building with white columns which went as far as you can see – “Oh my gosh, this hospital is bigger than I thought!” JD didn’t realize he was out of his body + was clinically dead… he then noticed a very old man had just arrived from earth who died of heart attack + his angelic guide held his hands as he transformed into a younger version of himself at 33.
[Interesting, Jesus left earth at 33.] John’s heavenly guide then said, “Everyone in Heaven is forever young in their 30’s + time doesn’t exist there.”
Next, he saw tunnels/doorways everywhere, tables + benches with people sitting there – many dressed in white robes or colorful regalia, this scene went all the way down… then his “heavenly guide” took him to a huge sports stadium + JD asked what is the nature of buildings there?
“You’d think things on other side are not solid — but they were!”
John touched the marble + it felt cool + solid; next he met a person who ran the planetarium who told him “Let’s begin: when you look up at the stars on earth you see our planets, Jupiter, Mars, Venus from space… but here on the other side, when we look at the stars, we see dozens of planets, galaxies so much more in the universe…more life in the cosmos than you can imagine!”
John’s favorite visit so far on Heaven’s topography was the planetarium.
Next, John saw a huge round building of white pristine marble with a dome on top + was shown scrolls tied in red ribbons – as JD unfolded the scrolls, it looked like ancient calligraphy + learnt that everything is written there — about our lives! Everything is actually planned. Is it all destiny?
And in detail too, who your parents are, what country, gender, etc.
He got the memo: “We have a purpose in coming to earth + are given challenges in order to grow, to reach spiritual enlightenment. In Heaven’s unspeakable plenitude, our lives are perfect – but on earth we must experience sorrow + pain; we must lose persons, have breakups, be disappointed, suffer in health, lose material possessions, money, etc.
But none of those things go with you anyway – only your character + what you learned.”
JD says, “Heaven cares only if you helped others.
Heaven doesn’t care about your awards or your accomplishments.”
He mentions a favorite quote of the Dalai Lama of Tibet:
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help people…
and if you cannot help, at least, don’t hurt them.”
Again + again in countless NDE stories I hear the same message: It is the enormity of the quality in human relationships, not how materially successful we are, but to have empathy, to engage in acts of kindness — be fully present that makes the big difference in people’s lives.
Next, John said he stepped into the most dazzling gardens, the greenest softest grass, gorgeous flowers, trees ever seen + there came people who loved him, welcomed him. It was absolute joy + bliss. Everyone has a reunion in Heaven + everything we loved on earth is given back to us.
ScreenshotThen John talked about his
amazing “Life Review” after his reunion in the gardens…his guide took him to a round building where a movie screen began playing scenes from his entire life on earth.
He learned:
“Everything in our life is recorded + in extreme detail! We see ALL we’ve done + said + feel the impact it had on others; if we hurt others we will feel the pain they went thru because of our actions … we watch this “film” to see if we’ve completed our “mission” on earth.
This Life Review is indeed reminiscent of author Charles Dickens’ “Scrooge” character who later ends up in what Orthodoxy calls metanoia.
We now see, why Church Ethos prescribes Confession to absolve our Sins + acquit ourselves – but also in lieu of not having to witness + feel the pain or horror we may have caused others during Heaven’s Life Review …
this by itself has to be hell.
Next, John was taken to the building of learning… it looked reminiscent of the Temple of Artemis in ancient time; it is the place to learn + grow…
Inside were many libraries/ temples dedicated to music, science, history, literature, medicine, art, sports, theatre, anything you wish to learn is there.
Once inside, John saw a woman in purple gown, her back was to him watching earth’s history on the battle of Native Americans vs US Calvary. John asked how’s it possible she’s watching what happened long ago?
It blew his mind to hear that “Everything is recorded in the universe.” Anything that happened on earth you were puzzled about, you can watch it on screen there + know the absolute truth.
But John’s big regret is while in the afterlife Library, a woman scholar dressed in long orange/red gown who’s specialty was history, could see him + inquired if he needed her help … but John regretfully said,
“No, I’m just looking.”
And to this day he kicks himself for not asking!
On earth we only have books to read or films to gain knowledge but Heaven is experiential! You’re able to not only witness events in any period of time, but also step into that very moment in history + experience the sights + sounds… even hear conversations that happened between people because it’s all recorded.
Talk about the ‘All Seeing Eye Of God’?
And the “deceased” have jobs in Heaven …not that they have to work, just because they love doing it.
Anything you loved to do on earth is magnified in the Afterlife… you can hike in nature, you can still cook + eat if you wish but food is not necessary. You can still run, swim, play golf, etc.
After hearing this from John I understood why my late husband during hospice kept telling me he was going in + out from this world to the next… but joyfully explained that over “there” he was once again a marathon runner – his fave hobby on earth…+
His new home over “there” is an exquisite mansion on huge estate + beside him stands a holy lion!
There’s more to John’s NDE than I can write here but will end with this:
Just before returning to his body in hospital he was greeted by a being of ultra magnificent light… he knew it was Jesus — He was dressed in white tunic + gold sash wearing gold sandals…
Lord Jesus told John:
“You must tell them —
tell my people — There is
no death!” 🔆🕊️
“You must tell them —
tell my people —
There is no death.” 🔆🕊️
Absolutely beautiful Chrissie! Thank you for sharing!
A wonderful presentation here Chrissie!
In my medical career I’m aware of this NDE phenomena and it gives me hope and inspires me to be the best I can be to help others. 🙏
All the good we do will not be in vain.
Order in the court – this is mind opening Apples – thank you for doing this, a must read for a next level of education & I venture to say, all you’ve said here is mind blowing stuff coming from my legal expertise & it’s unequivocally expansive.
I now see there are higher “legalities” beyond the material plane. Good job girl, super fine.
Apples, your report of John’s near-death experience in particular strengthens the case that there is life beyond the pale, and that that life is something not to fear but rather to anticipate in hope. I read Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ book about her research into near-death experiences when my mother died 37 years ago, but I was fresh out of post-graduate studies at the time, so my approach to the thesis was the rational attitude of a lop-sided left brainer. Now that I’m older and weaker, I am weary of the pursuit of the Truth as a cold, intellectual exercise. I long to ease into a life of unforced hesychia in the embrace of nature in order to turn my head to hear the still, small voice of the meek One who would not even bend a reed.
Orthodox services remind us often of the Great Judgement Seat of Christ and our appointment before it. This sinner is oft reminded of the way I have offended people who didn’t deserve the offense. Of even greater concern are the times when I was able to do good, but didn’t. I wish that I could just go back in time and do a second take so that I could right the wrong. At times like those, I try to take the positive approach and consider the Holy Spirit to be pricking my conscience in order to allow me the opportunity to repent and turn away from sin. I would be interested to read the testimony of a newly-deceased person who has stood before the Great Seat face-to-face with the One with whom we all have to do. I suppose, however, that the few people who have died and come back again to tell their story will not have gotten that far into the process post-death.
I want to congratulate Chrissy for her inspirational insight into what we all should be planning for…the afterlife. It does come at a cost, and only a few have escaped the sorrow of death in our world. Her related story is one of many I have heard or been told over the years. Almost all have been inspirational. I have also heard some very frightening accounts of individuals who clinically passed, but were being dragged into the depth of untold horror, only to return and change their life.
I have never thought of the afterworld as a dream, but a reality, and more people need to share the inspiration they found. The one bothersome question I have, is if we have a glimpse of this world and know from an Orthodox perspective that it exists, why haven’t we channeled our lives into helping one another?
Chrissy, I applaud you.
Fr. Pat
I loved it my dear friend Chrissy you make me proud, because your research gives me peace of mind knowing my late husband who was murdered 20 years ago is alive and in a beautiful place.
I myself had fallen down stairs and left my body and this was the greatest feeling of peacefulness I’ve ever known. So much peacefulness I didn’t want to return in my body but my three children were crying. I miss that feeling.
Thank you Chrissie, this was a very interesting article , that gave me more validation of my beliefs. You described what I always imagined, and I felt real peace after reading this!
Excellent article. Thank you. I will share an anecdote. There’s a religious hospital in New England. In one of the operating rooms a scripture verse is taped atop the light over an operating table. The verse is periodically changed. It’s happened more than once, when an operation takes place and the individual dies on the table, the staff takes measures to resuscitate the individual. Many an individual will, after the operation, say, “Did you know there’s a verse on the light that says ________.” Yes, there’s out of body experiences.
John’s story is very fantastical!
Beautiful and inspiring article Apples. Good job!! I too have had a near-death experience it was very deep and very profound. I felt such perfect love like I have never felt in my entire life and complete peace. I saw beauty….flowers, colors so rich and vibrant, magnificent buildings made of pure white marble with columns and decorative archways. I saw the Hall of knowledge, and the Glorious City, surrounded by a huge golden wall. In the city there was a round building with a gorgeous golden done. I saw various landscapes, the ocean, rivers that sparkled like diamonds, mountains, rolling hills, and valleys. Many beautiful places for animals to roam freely. Our pets do go to Heaven. I saw a beautiful room, lavishly decorated where people were having a party. There were tables holding silver trays filled with food. While at the party, some people were eating the food while others danced to the music. It was such a happy and very natural thing. On earth we celebrate with our loved ones and most celebrations are centered around food and I saw that people do the same in heaven. They were not eating to sustain life like we do here on Earth but rather, it was done simply for the enjoyment that it brings.