Death

[_Quasimodo]

What do you think death is like?

When Alma says we will be taken home to that God who gave us life, do not expect to see God anytime soon. The HOME is the radiating LOVE OF GOD that fills all things like a constant Sun.
I got extremely close to this for three days over ten years ago. I was given to chose to cross over or not.

I'd very much like to hear more about this, Night. Were you greeted by lost relatives? Was there a tunnel?

[_zeezrom]

Why don't people know what's going on when put under during major surgery? Shouldn't their spirit be aware?

[_Quasimodo]

Why don't people know what's going on when put under during major surgery? Shouldn't their spirit be aware?

Interesting question, Z. I had major surgery while working at a hospital (I had many friends in the room, including the anesthesiologist).

I made a point of thinking about my mental state while being put under, just because of my interest in such things. When coming out of anesthesia in the recovery room, I did (vaguely) remember some sort of awareness during surgery. Brain activity is recordable during general anesthesia.

Another short story: I happened to be in the surgeon's lounge between cases when a program about near death experiences was on the TV. In the lounge at that time were two very good heart surgeons (partners in a practice) waiting for their next surgery to start.

I asked them if any of their patients had experienced anything like that. They told me about one case where the patient had recounted to them that he was hovering near the ceiling during the procedure and was very specific (and accurate) about what happened in the room and who came and went.

One of the surgeons was a little shaken at this and even asked one of the staff psychologists to talk to the patient while he was recovering.

I asked the other surgeon (from India) what he thought. He said, smiling "I'm a Hindu, we believe in all that stuff".

[_Quasimodo]

Have you ever had a major surgery? They put the mask over your face, and you count backwards, and then you have no consciousness whatsoever, until you wake up. Death is like that. Except you don't wake up.

Often, during procedures, a drug called Versed is administered to patients to eliminate their short term memory. It also has some odd effects in women concerning sexuality (the ultimate date rape drug, if it was available), another story.

I have had general anesthesia and do have some fuzzy memories of the surgery.

[_Nightlion]

When Alma says we will be taken home to that God who gave us life, do not expect to see God anytime soon. The HOME is the radiating LOVE OF GOD that fills all things like a constant Sun.
I got extremely close to this for three days over ten years ago. I was given to chose to cross over or not.

I'd very much like to hear more about this, Night. Were you greeted by lost relatives? Was there a tunnel?

I had been fired from a job with minimal prospects of any career with a wife, and five kids entering their teen years. I needed greater strength to 'overcome the world' so to speak. I fasted for a great length of time. While working part time jobs from a staffing firm I fasted with no food or drink for ten straight days. I was working too hard to keep that up so I decided to drink one regular sized bottle of Gatorade, or an orange juice each day and continued not to eat. About day twenty-one I became aware of the other side in a spiritual way. I was not seeing it. I was feeling it. It was drawing me towards it the more I fixed upon it. I was working a job that required I walk inside a warehouse filling orders walking what amounted to a distance of about 8 miles a day.

One day I was sitting in my Chevy minivan about to go somewhere when all the power to live suddenly drained out of me. It was put into my mind as to whether or not I would like to die or continue to live. For my family's sake I wanted to live. It was only me and my thoughts there in a dramatic communion with God. I remained fully conscious and not aware of a spirit world.
No sooner had I made my choice than my strength return to me and I was no longer aware of the spiritual realization of the Love of God that shines on the other side of the veil.

I continued to fast as I was wont for another twenty days. I got many things from this epic fast:

I knew of the reality of the power of God's love that fills the other side of the veil.

I knew that God's power was purposely keeping me alive and thriving while I fasted and worked hard everyday.

I knew that I was given the faith to accomplish this fast.

I gained the power and faith to return to another former employer (not the same one who had just fired me) and work like ten men (way overworked and pissed off everyone around me) until they gave me a permanent position that would secure my family's needs for as long as I want to stay. No way I work like that now.

Sorry that I got nothing more for you.

[_Buffalo]

Have you ever had a major surgery? They put the mask over your face, and you count backwards, and then you have no consciousness whatsoever, until you wake up. Death is like that. Except you don't wake up.

Often, during procedures, a drug called Versed is administered to patients to eliminate their short term memory. It also has some odd effects in women concerning sexuality (the ultimate date rape drug, if it was available), another story.

I have had general anesthesia and do have some fuzzy memories of the surgery.

Or perhaps a better analogy. Remember what it was like before you were conceived? Yeah, death is just like that experience.

[_Quasimodo]

Or perhaps a better analogy. Remember what it was like before you were conceived? Yeah, death is just like that experience.

I also don't remember much before I was two. I'm pretty sure I was around then, as well. I don't have an answer, but boy, do I have a lot of questions.

[_Buffalo]

Or perhaps a better analogy. Remember what it was like before you were conceived? Yeah, death is just like that experience.

I also don't remember much before I was two. I'm pretty sure I was around then, as well. I don't have an answer, but boy, do I have a lot of questions.

You don't remember anything before your conception because there was no "you" to do any remembering. The same is true after your brain has died, in effect.

[_Quasimodo]

You don't remember anything before your conception because there was no "you" to do any remembering. The same is true after your brain has died, in effect.

I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to puzzle all this out. Your arguments do hold water.

Still, I know I existed at the age of one and a half. I don't remember anything from that time in my life. Is this different from the time before my conception?

[_Buffalo]

You don't remember anything before your conception because there was no "you" to do any remembering. The same is true after your brain has died, in effect.

I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to puzzle all this out. Your arguments do hold water.

Still, I know I existed at the age of one and a half. I don't remember anything from that time in my life. Is this different from the time before my conception?

Yes. You existed, for one thing. You were also conscious for another, even if your brain was still in its very early development. That can be empirically demonstrated.