Chapter 3: Riding the Near Death Experience

Royal Light Metaphysical Fiction by Dennis Bruce Shipman (1066 words)
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As the divine laughing voice faded gently away in the distance of my consciousness, I returned to my physical body, my eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the brightness of the room. I began to recognize the presence of a small group of individuals gathered around my hospital bed. They were my father, my girlfriend Sweeney, and a medical doctor.

"Welcome back," the doctor greeted, looking into my eyes. "It was a close call. We thought we had lost you. You were pronounced DOA at the hospital, but then you came back to life, and lapsed into a coma. You've been in a coma for three days."

"How do you feel, darling?" my girlfriend inquired, her eyes filled with concern.

A faint smile appeared on my face, lacking the desire for conversation. I reached up to touch my head, sensing the presence of a bandage wrapped around it. A pulsing ache reverberated through my skull, causing immense discomfort.

“I saw angels and a world of light,” I blurted out. The trio fixated their gaze upon me, as if I were an eccentric or on the verge of losing my sanity in their presence.

“I’d like to test your memory to see if there might be some complications. Can you verify your first and last name for me,” the doctor asked.

“Royal Solis,” I said softly in a weak voice.

“And your date of birth?”

“February 15, 2000.”

“What is your age?”

“Twenty-three.”

"Very good. Everything seems to be in good working order. We conducted an MRI scan of your brain and have determined that you have suffered a severe concussion as a result of your head injury," the doctor informed me. "You may experience weakness or episodes of dizziness during the recovery process, and it is important that you take it easy for the next few days. Avoid any kind of physical exertion. Your vital signs are all stable. We expect to discharge you either later today or tomorrow morning."

I glanced at my father and uttered, “I saw Mom.”

He straightened up abruptly, his expression filled with disbelief, and responded with a faint smile, "We must take you home as soon as possible."

I closed my eyes, let my body sink into the bed mattress, and fell back to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I spent my time at home, relaxing on the veranda, observing the approaching waves of Banzai Pipeline. Our unique residence offers a stunning panoramic view of the Pipe's waterfront. This beautiful stretch of beach is where I grew up, becoming acquainted with all the local surfers and champions who have ever braved the Pipe. As I watched the waves rolling in, my mind wandered between memories of the championship finals, my wipeout, the head injury I sustained, and the extraordinary encounter with a brilliant light.

Numerous questions flooded my thoughts, yet remained unanswered. Why did this happen to me when I was at the pinnacle of my surfing career? Does this experience have a specific name? Where does that radiant light originate from? Who am I truly? What lies ahead for me now? And what lessons can I extract from this perplexing ordeal?

I powered up my laptop and conducted an online inquiry about the phenomenon of a "bright light at death." The search results led me to discover something known as a Near Death Experience (NDE), which was entirely new to me. Over the next couple of days, I delved into several articles on the topic.

Have you ever wondered what happens to us when we die? It's a question that has intrigued humanity for centuries. Many people who have experienced near-death experiences (NDEs) claim to have had remarkable visions during their moments on the brink of death. These visions provide a fascinating glimpse into the mysterious realm beyond our physical existence.

NDE visions are reported by individuals who have come close to death or have been clinically dead for a short period before being revived. These experiences can vary widely from person to person, but they often involve a sense of floating outside the body, moving through a tunnel, and encountering bright lights or deceased loved ones. Some individuals even claim to have gained access to profound knowledge or experienced a profound sense of peace and love during their NDE visions.

While the scientific community is still divided on the nature and meaning of NDE visions, there are several theories that attempt to explain these intriguing phenomena. One theory suggests that NDE visions are simply hallucinations caused by the brain's response to trauma or lack of oxygen. According to this view, the mind creates these vivid experiences as a way to cope with the stress and fear associated with near-death situations.

Another theory proposes that NDE visions are glimpses into an alternate reality or spiritual realm. This theory suggests that during moments of clinical death, our consciousness is temporarily freed from the constraints of our physical bodies and is able to explore new dimensions of existence. In this view, NDE visions are seen as evidence of an afterlife or higher plane of consciousness.

Regardless of their origins or meaning, NDE visions continue to captivate and intrigue both scientists and the general public alike. They offer a tantalizing glimpse into the mysteries of life and death and challenge our understanding of consciousness and reality. Whether they are glimpses into another realm or simply products of the brain's response to trauma, NDE visions remind us that there is still so much about the human experience that we have yet to fully comprehend.

It puzzled me how someone could be labeled an expert on a subject they had never personally experienced. Theories are nice for those who need them, but I wanted truth and knowledge. Most of the expert opinions I came across on NDE seemed to be superficial remarks and cautious comments that were unlikely to cause any trouble within their scientific community or among their fans.

How do you describe the flavor of a watermelon to someone who has never tasted it? However, I did find one website particularly captivating. It featured stories from individuals who claimed to have had near-death experiences (NDEs). I connected with many of their insights because I had recently experienced similar encounters myself.

This led me to the conclusion that the profound encounter with light that I had was genuine, confirming that I am not delusional and that the answers I seek do exist somewhere.

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