2.0 The fear of death disappears The appearance of negative death experiences seems to be connected to one’s momentary mental state. Such experiences are more often found after suicide attempts, although positive experiences also happen at times. An individual can therefore have a number of positive and negative neardeath experiences - dependent on their momentary state of mind. All modern near-death experiences collectively exhibit the above mentioned elements, whereby the respective design - for instance the tunnel or the landscape - can be very different. There actually exists a flowing transition between completely individual dreams and elements that contain near-death experiences to the actual near-death experience itself. • But in contrast to dreams, near-death experiences can bring about an astonishing change of personality, one that can surpass the efforts of all psychotherapeutic methods by far. A number of controlled studies ascertained that such an experience produces a statistically significant reduction of the fear of dying with almost all of these people. This change was definitely produced by the near-death experience - not only the confrontation with death, but particularly the out of body experience. Parallel to this comes a statistically significant increase in the belief of a life after death, one that often turns into absolute certainty. Those concerned are more confident and neurotic fears disappear. Similar changes are also observed with people that had spontaneous out of body experiences. • The core of this personality change consists in an increase of their inner religiousness. After a near-death experience, a lot of these people are convinced that God exists and they give the religious and ethical values of their life priority over everything else. The feel a greater love and connection with all and everything and have more tolerance and empathy towards people, but also hold their own person in higher esteem. They often turn away from external, materialistic values and take up social-charitable assignments. They exhibit a joy do vivre and self-confidence, but they also feel more responsible. They search for self-realisation, meaning of life and wisdom, they feel altogether “more alive” and they are aware of the preciousness of the remaining time at their disposal. • Illnesses are better dealt with and mental suffering like depressions or addictions to drugs can disappear. • Near-death experiences have also proven to be the best preventatives against suicide. Even by simply mentally dealing with such experiences seems to be a suitable medicine against thoughts of suicide. Near-death experiences have something like a “culture shock” on people. All previously valid values and opinions are shaken to the core. Consequently, conflict with one’s environment wherein the old values still apply are often unavoidable. A change of occupation, stresses in friendships and relationships right up to divorce are not uncommon. Mental disturbances like depression, fear of death or helplessness are also more rarely observed. Just how negative near-death experiences affect people has not been sufficiently researched. What is certain is that they can set completely new perspectives and that they can have positive as well as negative consequences.
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