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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."

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 below.

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
       
  1. A few words on Theosophy  1
  2. A generalized holistic and transpersonal approach 2
  3. Problems of terminology 2
  4. From the personal to the transpersonal 3
  5. Further information on the transpersonal Ego 4
  6. Of the usefulness of an "astral" body  5
       
II. What was known of Near Death Experiences's a century ago?  7
       
III. The process of dying as viewed by Theosophy  7
       
  1. The apparent end of life is but the first step towards death  8
  2. It is the starting point of a process undergone by the dying one, beyond his control  8
  3. The journey to death is a mapped out itinerary  9
  4. The last moment is lived in a communion between the personal and the transpersonal 11
  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
  6. The Ego's quasi omniscience is a key to interpret the dying man's conscious experience in its higher phase 14
     a. The objective, panoramic review of life 14
     b. The review of previous lifetimes 17
     c. The experience of "total knowledge" 17
     d. Flashforwards disclosing the earthly man's future 18
     e. "Supernatural rescues" 20
     f. The apparent choice to come back 20
       
  7. Death only comes after the reintegration of the personal to the transpersonal consciousness: it strikes the last chord of the ending life 21
       
Conclusions 22
Appendix 25
Bibliography 27

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