Silver City -- More than 13 million Americans have reported near death experiences, a phenomenon defined as a "lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened, imminent death," according to the Near Death Research Foundation, which has documented more than 5,300 near death experiences from all over the world.
Near death experiences, or NDEs, will be the topic of discussion at the next meeting of the monthly "Life Cafe" on Thursday, March 28, at 4:00 pm at the Silver City Public Library. A brief video about the topic will be shown, and participants will have an opportunity to share their own near-death experience.
Many reported NDEs often share a number of common elements, including a separation from consciousness from the physical body, the ability to recall details such as sights and sounds that occurred while the individual was unconscious, a life review, passage through a tunnel, visions of brilliant lights and incredible beauty, as well as intense emotions of love, peace and sometimes fear and isolation, as well as meeting loved ones who've died, and then returning to the body.
A June 2020 Scientific American article about near death experiences states that NDEs are not flights of fancy or of the imagination, and are triggered by life-threatening injuries or traumatic situations, such as heart attacks. "About one in 10 patients with cardiac arrest in a hospital setting undergoes such an episode. Thousands of survivors of these harrowing touch-and-go situations tell of leaving their damaged bodies behind and encountering a realm beyond everyday existence, unconstrained by the usual boundaries of space and time. These powerful, mystical experiences can lead to permanent transformation of their lives."
The monthly, 90-minute life cafe meets every fourth Thursday of the month, is free of charge, and facilitated by Lisa Jimenez, certified death doula, Reiki Master and practitioner of Shamanic healing arts.
"My goal is to discuss all aspects of death and dying, so that we may begin to shift our death-averse culture of fear to one of greater understanding, acceptance and peace about our own mortality," she said. "The life cafe offers a safe space where everyone is welcome to share their feelings and ideas about death, as well as learn about advance directives, home funerals, green burials and other topics that can help put one's mind at ease. I believe that when we create a plan for our own "good death," we're much better able to let go of this life in a peaceful, conscious way, which is such a blessing to ourselves and those we leave behind."
Each month a new death-related topic is explored, often through a presentation by guest speakers. Such topics include New Mexico’s Aid in Dying Act; advance directives and other planning tools; estate planning; life celebrations; working with death doulas; and more.
Jimenez added that there is no intention to lead people to specific actions, conclusions, products or services. The Silver City Public Library is located at 515 W. College Avenue. For more information, please contact Lisa Jimenez, lmjimenez13@gmail.com or (575) 574-5473.