Near Death Experiences confirm
Theosophy
Kenneth Ring is a leader in the systematic study of Near Death Experiences. He has written "Lessons from the Light: What We Can Learn from the Near Death Experience" to present the findings from his research.
"The near-death experience (NDE) is not only a revelation of the most profound and soul-shattering beauty, but, as research shows, it is something that has the power to drastically transform and improve the lives of those who survive this kind of encounter with death."
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Near death experiences have opened a wonderful door into vistas of the
soul's survival - especially now that modern medical techniques have increased
the recovery rate of individuals in hospitals, and now that more people
feel free to openly discuss their experiences.
But there is another vantage point. In the late 19th century Madame Blavatsky
promulgated a teaching she had received form "those who know".
It included many details of "what happens when we die". It included
more information than is normally available from those having near death
experiences since the knowledge she was teaching, extended from one death
on to the next birth.
Dr Jean-Louis Siémons has compared in detail the results of near
death experiences reported in the last quarter of the twentieth century
with the assertions made by Blavatsky a century earlier concerning the journey
of the soul. He demonstrates a very striking congruence. Furthermore, Siémons
says "Beyond question, her views on the process of dying were quite
original for her epoch."
Since her views were "quite original" for her epoch - and based
on her knowledge - and since they are now confirmed by increasing numbers
of people having near death experiences - we therefore have a significant
confirmation of the validity of her assertions on this subject and her assertions
in general. A study of her teachings then gives us a way to learn still
more - with confidence - on the survival of the soul and its journey through
successive lives. Because Blavatsky was right on the mark, based on this
evidence, we can approach her other statements with significantly greater
confidence in their validity. We invite you to look.
Below is the article by Siémons. Along with the analysis, it gives
an excellent presentation of Theosophy's view on this subject, complete
with detailed citations from the Theosophical literature.
Full Article by Jean-Louis Siémons.
(The article is 37 computer printer pages long and 101KB but the download
wait is worth it.)
Table of contents of his article:
A nineteenth century explanatory scheme
for the interpretation of near-death experience:
The transpersonal model of death as presented
in Madame Blavatsky's Theosophy
by Dr Jean-Louis Siémons
CONTENTS
| I. Preliminary information |
1 |
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1. A few words on Theosophy |
1 |
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2. A generalized holistic and transpersonal approach |
2 |
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3. Problems of terminology |
2 |
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4. From the personal to the transpersonal |
3 |
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5. Further information on the transpersonal Ego |
4 |
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6. Of the usefulness of an "astral" body |
5 |
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| II. What was known of Near Death Experiences's
a century ago? |
7 |
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| III. The process of dying as viewed by
Theosophy |
7 |
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1. The apparent end of life is but the first step towards death |
8 |
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2. It is the starting point of a process undergone by the dying one, beyond
his control |
8 |
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3. The journey to death is a mapped out itinerary |
9 |
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4. The last moment is lived in a communion
between the personal and the transpersonal |
11 |
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5. "Entering the Light", or "encountering the being of light"
- an imaged interpretation by the personal self of its re-union with its
deep-rooted source of self-consciousness |
12 |
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6. The Ego's quasi omniscience is a
key to interpret the dying man's conscious experience in its higher
phase |
14 |
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a. The objective, panoramic review of life |
14 |
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b. The review of previous lifetimes |
17 |
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c. The experience of "total knowledge" |
17 |
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d. Flashforwards disclosing the earthly man's future |
18 |
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e. "Supernatural rescues" |
20 |
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f. The apparent choice to come back |
20 |
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7. Death only comes after the reintegration of the personal to the transpersonal
consciousness: it strikes the last chord of the ending life |
21 |
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| Conclusions |
22 |
| Appendix |
25 |
| Bibliography |
27 |
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