Terri S
Anesthesia
Probable NDE
Greyson Scale: 16
#33209
- CountryUnited States
- GenderF
- AgeAdult
- Date Experienced5/21/1980
- Date Submitted1/2/2026
The experience included
See a bright unearthly lightUnderstand everything about universeLikely experienced clinical deathSpiritual world more real than physical realityFelt like they returned homeExplains the purpose of individual livesReturned against their will
Experience Description
Prior to having an emergency C-section to deliver my first child, I was in labor for thirty-six hours. I remember the doctor telling the team in the operating room that they needed to perform general anesthesia because of the condition of the mother.
The unusual experience I had occurred between that memory and waking up in the recovery room.
In that experience, I found myself surrounded by an infinity of warm, bright, loving light-beings. I remembered that I came from this place, and I instantly understood everything. I was so happy to be back there, but the beings told me that I needed to return. They told me I had a little boy and many things yet to do.
My next brief memory is becoming aware that I couldn't breathe, then I realized that the respirator was breathing for me. I could hear, but I could not see anything at that point. I think I went back to sleep. When I woke again, the tube was gone and the nurses were saying, "Did you hear? This little girl had a ten-pound baby!" I have only scattered memories of the next couple of days.
For many years after this experience, I could meditate and reacquire the beautiful feeling of being with the light beings. This was beautiful and painful at the same time, as I was not able to remember the knowledge that flooded in while I was there.
I wish that everyone could have that knowledge and feeling of belonging to infinite love.
Background Information
Gender
Female
Date NDE Occurred
5/21/1980
Near Death Experience Elements
At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event?
Uncertain, Surgery-related, Childbirth, Illness, trauma or other condition not considered life threatening
How do you consider the content of your experience?
Entirely pleasant
Did you feel separated from your body?
I lost awareness of my body
How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?
More consciousness and alertness than normal
At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?
That would be when the knowledge flooded in and I knew that I was back where I belonged.
Were your thoughts speeded up?
No
Did time seem to speed up or slow down?
No
Were your senses more vivid than usual?
No
Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience
I don't think I was seeing with my eyes during this experience.
Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience
In the same way, hearing does not describe the way I was made aware or given knowledge.
Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere?
No
Did you pass into or through a tunnel?
No
Did you see any beings in your experience?
No
Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?
No
Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light?
A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin
Did you see an unearthly light?
Yes, The light was full of beings, or was the beings, and expansive.
Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?
A clearly mystical or unearthly realm, It was not unfamiliar. I felt that I was home.
What emotions did you feel during the experience?
Astonishment. I felt, "Ah-ha! Now I remember!"
Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness?
Incredible peace or pleasantness
Did you have a feeling of joy?
Incredible Joy
Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe?
I felt united or one with the world
Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?
Everything about the universe, I wish I could remember that download.
Did scenes from the future come to you?
No
Did you come to a border or point of no return?
I came to a definite conscious decision to return to life, It was conveyed to me that I could not stay there.
God, Spiritual and Religion
What was your religion prior to your experience?
Christian - Protestant
Have your religious practices changed since your experience?
No
What is your religion now?
Unaffiliated - Nothing in particular - Religious unaffiliated, My belief now is that most religious ideas do not accurately convey what God is.
Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs?
Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience, I believed in God before the experience. What I experienced was astonishingly richer than my prior beliefs. I learned that I had been a light being, and would be one again. That is amazing.
Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience?
No
Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?
I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin, Many beings.
Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc?)
No
During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness?
Yes, Yes. I came from that oneness.
Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion
During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose?
Yes, I tried to express this. During the experience, I instantly understood everything about why we are here. I lost all of that knowledge when I became conscious. I have come to think that we choose to come here, but I do not know why.
During your experience, did you gain information about the meaning of life?
No
During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife?
Yes, It was clear that I had come from this place, and earthly existence is temporary.
Did you gain information about how to live our lives?
No
During your experience, did you gain information about life's difficulties, challenges and hardships?
No
During your experience, did you gain information about love?
Yes, Everyone should participate in kindness.
What life changes occurred in your life after your experience?
I do not want to experience pain when I die, and I don't want my family to be sad, but I don't fear death.
Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?
No
After the NDE:
Was the experience difficult to express in words?
Yes, I don't have the words to convey accurately what the experience was really like. Light, warmth, wisdom, and love are kind of flat sketches of something with more dimension.
How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?
I remember the experience as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience, I have vivid memories of the beautiful sunsets that week. Mount St. Helens had erupted and the view from the birthing room window was gorgeous.
Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?
No
Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?
I still miss the feeling of the experience. It's been 45 years, so I have become less frustrated by the fact that I can't remember the amazing knowledge that was available in the experience.
Have you ever shared this experience with others?
Yes
Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?
No
What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened?
Experience was definitely real, I could still remember how it felt for a few years after it. It was unlike anything else I have experienced.
What do you believe about the reality of your experience now?
Experience was definitely real, It was real.
At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?
No
Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?
Yes, I wish there were better words.