October's Cyberweave is built on last month's topic, "Finding solace for Grief on the Internet." The September column focused on sites that help those involved with terminal illness and the grief process leading up to or following death. This month's column explores sites devoted to Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and next month’s will consider sites devoted to After Death Communication (ADC). These sites can help those who are actively dealing with the grieving process. They also can help anyone -- and that means just about everybody -- who has asked that big question: What happens after we die?

While exploring web sites on these topics, I began to see both similarities and differences between those who experience NDEs and those who experience ADCs. The similarities are in the descriptions of the afterlife, both by the NDEs and by those who communicate with the dead. Paramount in both experiences is the idea that it is unconditional love that matters most, not a particular religious belief, worldly possessions, etc. I was struck, however, at the depth of unconditional love that was extended at the NDE sites. There is little concentration on amassing worldly goods (money, fame, etc.) at NDE sites. It's as if the NDE experience has stripped out the need for this motivation. Even NDE sites that specifically ask for donations or that sell products tend to focus on a "higher" purpose. For example, Dr. Melvin Morse's site (www.melvinmorse.com) has a heavier focus on sales and contributions. The purpose, however, is clearly for furthering NDE and after-life research.

Many, but not all, ADC sites have a distinctly commercial flavor. This is particularly true at sites belonging to bestselling authors like Sylvia Browne, George Anderson, John Edward, Rosemary Altea and James Van Praagh. I don't necessarily think of this as a negative. After all, doctors and other health practitioners charge for their time and services. But, this difference between NDE and ADC sites does provide food for thought.

Another unique feature of the NDE web site category is an extensive number of personal web sites mounted by people who have had an NDE and simply want to share their personal experiences with the world. For an example of this, see the review that follows for the NDE site of A. Masai Jones. Both NDE and ADC sites contain a wealth of fascinating information and case histories from those who have had after-death related experiences. There is great value in both types of sites for the information they contain can lead to reduced fear and accelerated spiritual growth.

NDE Sites
Beyond the Veil (www.beyondtheveil.net)
This site evolved from the personal NDE of Diane Goble. The site features Goble's NDE, a story that is preceded by the legend: "Diane Goble, Born September 1941, Re-born August 1, 1971." Goble's NDE occurred on a rafting trip during the filming of the movie Deliverance. Goble is also the author of the book Through the Tunnel and offers psycho-spiritual counseling and a spiritual study course, "Lessons from Beyond the Veil." A key section of the site is "Web Resources on Death and Dying." This section contains a wealth of links on NDEs, Death and Dying, Cremation and Funerals, the Right to Die, Reincarnation and a number of other spiritual categories.

Embraced by the Light (www.embracedbythelight.com)
This is author Betty Eadie's site and it's a good one. The focus here is not exclusively on Eadie's NDE experiences. Rather, she invites visitors to submit their own stories in sections entitled "Heavenly Encounters" and "Letters." The letters emphasize the ripple effect that Eadie addressed in her latest book. People from all over the world tell about how Eadie's books have changed their lives and how that spiritual change is rippling out from them to help others. The "Heavenly Encounters" section features contributions from people who have had NDEs.

The International Association for Near-Death Studies (www.iands.org)
IANDS is the premier organization for NDEs. It is fitting, then, that their web site is also premium, containing a wealth of information and first-hand experiences. The web site is simply laid out and easy to navigate. The purpose of the site is explained on the home page: "A near-death experience (NDE) is one of the most powerful emotional and psychological events known. This site is provided as a public service to give reliable information about near-death experiences, along with resources for more information and support." The site is chock full of interesting sections including information on "Understanding and Coping with a Frightening Near-Death Experience" and on "Child Experiencers of Near-Death States." Interesting statistics from the site include:
- On the average, near-death experiencers are without pulse or breath for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is not uncommon to hear of individuals "dead" for an hour or more.
- Children can have NDE episodes before birth, during delivery, or immediately after being born.
- No matter how long the person fails to register vital signs, there is usually no brain damage once revived; rather, a noticeable brain enhancement may result.
- Approximately one-third of adults who face death, nearly die, or who are pronounced dead and later revive, have an NDE. The rate, however, is much higher -- around 70 percent -- with children.

Don't forget to check out the "Example NDE Accounts" section. There is a lot of great information here. I was particularly intrigued by the comprehensive account entitled "Ascension" since it profiles the dramatic changes of a man who describes himself as an "equal opportunity hater" prior to his NDE.

Into the Light (www.melvinmorse.com)
This is the site of NDE researcher and author Dr. Melvin Morse, MD. According to Morse, his mission includes creating a newsletter to share children's near death experiences and to present a new scientific paradigm: The God Spot, our biological link with a conscious universe. Intriguing sections at the site include a gallery of drawings created by children who have had NDEs. Another excellent section features the NDE of seven-year-old Sara. "Sara's experience," states Morse, "is a vivid demonstration of the return of expanded consciousness and awareness, at the point of death. She has no memories at all, until her brain stops working, and then she perceives some other reality as well as hearing what is going on around her, even though her brain cannot process signals from her ears." The site's newsletter also sounds interesting. It's not free, however. The cost (U.S. and Canadian) is $19.95 per year. Proceeds from the newsletter and Dr. Morse's media sales are earmarked to fund two projects: "Study the Immunology of the Near Death Experience" and "Using Near Death Experiences to Understand and Heal Grief."

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife (www.near-death.com)
I located this site through the "More Information on the Web" section of the IANDS site. This very comprehensive site was designed by Kevin Williams, a Christian, whose interest and study of NDEs led him to realize "that God is not limited to just those who profess the Christian faith." Williams states that "my once narrow mind expanded and my faith greatly increased as I tried to understand the vastness of God's love for all people, no matter what their religious or cultural persuasion." With this in mind, Williams designed a site that contains a wide range of topics including "Christian NDEs," "Jewish NDEs," "Buddhist NDE," “New Age NDEs," "Atheist NDEs" "Suicide NDEs" and much more. I highly recommend a visit to this site.

Permanent Board for NDEs (www.ndeweb.com/board00.htm)
This message board contains more than 125 NDEs submitted by individuals. The stories make for fascinating and thought provoking reading. For example, Story 16 begins, "The best moment I know of, was when I died, and went to our real home. Coming back to this world and dealing with it is the worse [sic]. It (earth) is not my favorite place any longer..." In Story 23, an earthquake survivor writes: "I am curious about my own experiences, that do not fit the traditional NDE...I remember a feeling of surrender, and the subsequent serenity, the likes of which I have never known since... Still, I was concerned for my family, and I somehow extracted myself from under the debris, and passed through a door that later was impossible to pass through, the crack was about three inches wide..."

The Natural Death Handbook/Near-Death Experiences (http://globalideasebank.org/natdeath/ndh3.html)
The NDE section of this site is Chapter 3 of a larger site called The Natural Death Handbook, a publication of The Natural Death Centre, an educational charity that believes that all should, and can, prepare for death. One of the highlights of this site are NDE accounts from past centuries. For example, an adapted extract from A History of the English Church and People by the Venerable Bede describes an eighth century NDE account: "He came back to life and suddenly sat up -- those weeping around the body were very upset and ran away. 'I was guided by a handsome man in a shining robe,' he said. 'When we reached the top of a wall, there was there a wide meadow, with light flooding in that seemed brighter than daylight or the midday sun. I was very reluctant to leave, for I was enraptured by the place's pleasantness and beauty and by the company I saw there. From now on I must live in a completely different way.' He later left all his worldly responsibilities and entered the Melrose monastery."

Visiting Dignitaries (www.forthrt.com/~chronicl/archmar6/visitdig.htm)
This is the personal web site of A. Masai Jones. The focus is Jones' own NDE, but also explores the history of NDEs and topics like "When Heaven Becomes Hell" and "Related Research and the Next Frontier."

Watch for the contination of this subject next month: After Death Communication and Research Sites.

Do you have a favorite spiritual or personal growth web site that you'd like me to review? Please drop me an e-mail at Monty764@aol.com.