Brief
Pim van Lommel
The claims the writer was given for Pim van Lommel, in the order they were given.
1
In 1969, a patient at Pim van Lommel's coronary care unit suffered a cardiac arrest from ventricular fibrillation following a heart attack, became unresponsive, and was defibrillated twice before his cardiac rhythm was reestablished and he regained consciousness more than a minute later, after about four minutes of unconsciousness.
“A patient with a heart attack had a cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation), and was no longer responsive... Then the patient was defibrillated for the second time. This time his cardiac rhythm was reestablished, and more than a minute later, he regained consciousness, after being unconsciousness for about four minutes.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 00022-00023 observation first hand
2
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, of the patients with a near-death experience, 41 (66 percent) had a deep core experience while 21 (34 percent) had a more superficial one.
“Of these, 41 (66 percent) had a deep core experience while 21 (34 percent) had a more superficial one.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10006-10104 measurement first hand
3
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 50 percent of near-death experiencers reported an awareness of being dead.
“All the typical elements were reported, such as 50 percent reporting an awareness of being dead”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10226-10317 measurement first hand
4
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 56 percent of near-death experiencers reported positive emotions.
“56 percent positive emotions”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10323-10343 measurement first hand
5
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 25 percent of near-death experiencers reported an out-of-body experience (OBE).
“25 percent an out-of-body experience (OBE)”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10353-10391 measurement first hand
6
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 31 percent of near-death experiencers reported going through a tunnel.
“31 percent going through a tunnel”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10397-10424 measurement first hand
7
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 23 percent of near-death experiencers reported communication with the light.
“23 percent communication with the light”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10436-10470 measurement first hand
8
Pim van Lommel and colleagues interviewed all survivors of cardiac arrest with a near-death experience, along with a matched control group of survivors without one, two and eight years following their incident to study the resulting transformation.
“To study the resulting transformation afterward we interviewed all survivors of cardiac arrest with an NDE two and eight years following their incident, with a matched control group of patients who survived cardiac arrest without NDE.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10478-10708 administrative first hand
9
Experiencers of near-death experiences in Pim van Lommel's follow-up study had no fear of death anymore and were convinced of the reality of an afterlife.
“Experiencers of NDEs had no fear of death anymore, and were convinced of the reality of an afterlife.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10795-10886 measurement first hand
10
Experiencers of near-death experiences in Pim van Lommel's follow-up study had greater intuitive sensitivity and meaning in their lives, coupled with long periods of homesickness, loneliness, and depression caused by the inability to share their experience with others.
“They had greater intuitive sensitivity and meaning in their lives, coupled with long periods of homesickness, loneliness, and depression caused by the inability to share their impressive and life-changing experience with others.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:10897-11118 measurement first hand
11
Pim van Lommel's study found that neither the duration of unconsciousness nor of the cardiac arrest, nor medication, nor fear of death, had an effect on whether a patient reported a near-death experience.
“To our big surprise we found that neither the duration of unconsciousness nor of the cardiac arrest (the severity or gravity of lack of oxygen in the brain), nor any other factors such as medication or a fear of death, had an effect.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:11283-11509 observation first hand
12
Pim van Lommel's study found that gender, foreknowledge of near-death experiences, religion, and education had no effect on the occurrence, frequency, or quality of a near-death experience.
“Nothing seemed to play a role in determining the occurrence, frequency, or quality of an NDE—not gender, foreknowledge of NDEs, religion, or education.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:11517-11658 observation first hand
13
Pim van Lommel's study was the first and largest prospective study on near-death experiences, and it excluded physiological, psychological, or pharmacological factors as the cause of these experiences during cardiac arrest.
“Thus, the first and largest prospective study on NDEs ever could exclude that physiological, psychological, or pharmacological factors caused these experiences during cardiac arrest.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:11670-11845 opinion first hand
14
Pim van Lommel considers that, beyond a reasonable doubt, there is a continuity of consciousness after the death of the physical body.
“After many years of research, it has become clear to me that, beyond a reasonable doubt, there is a continuity of consciousness after the death of our physical body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:1191-1345 opinion first hand
15
Pim van Lommel had to cancel all appointments for a couple of days to comply with requests for interviews with national and international newspapers, radio, and television after publication of his 2001 Lancet study.
“For a couple of days I had to cancel all appointments to comply with requests for interviews with national and international newspapers, radio, and television.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:12714-12862 testimony first hand
16
Pim van Lommel received hundreds of emails with positive responses from near-death experiencers who felt supported and recognised by his 2001 Lancet study, including doctors who had experienced a near-death experience themselves.
“We received hundreds of emails with positive responses from NDErs who felt supported and recognized by this study. Even doctors who had experienced an NDE themselves but had never been able to discuss it with colleagues contacted us.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:12874-13104 testimony first hand
17
C. Renckens, a gynaecologist and chair of the Dutch Association Against Quackery, linked Pim van Lommel's near-death experience study with multiple personality disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and alien abduction syndrome, and described van Lommel as "a failed prophet with the personality of a pre-morbid quack."
“In the Netherlands, Dr. C. Renckens, gynecologist and chair of the Dutch Association Against Quackery, linked our study with “multiple personality disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and alien abduction syndrome.” He described me as “a failed prophet with the personality of a pre-morbid quack.””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:13213-13515 opinion second hand
18
W. Betz, professor of family medicine and a member of SKEPP, told the Belgian press "When scientists start spouting nonsense, the public must be warned. Van Lommel belongs to a sect," and associated the research with astral bodies, the paranormal, and graphology.
“And from Belgium, W. Betz, professor of family medicine and a member of SKEPP (a group for the critical evaluation of pseudoscience and the paranormal), told the Belgian press that “When scientists start spouting nonsense, the public must be warned. Van Lommel belongs to a sect.” He associated the research with “astral bodies, the paranormal, and graphology.””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:13523-13872 opinion second hand
19
Three additional prospective studies with an identical design to Pim van Lommel's Dutch study documented about the same percentage of near-death experiences during cardiac arrest, bringing the total to four studies involving approximately 562 survivors of cardiac arrest.
“But three additional prospective studies with an identical design as our Dutch one followed, and these documented about the same percentage of NDEs during cardiac arrest as ours. We now had four studies involving a total of approximately 562 survivors of cardiac arrest.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:13886-14149 observation first hand
20
Pim van Lommel is a Dutch cardiologist.
“Pim van Lommel is a Dutch cardiologist who worked at a teaching hospital in Arnhem in the Netherlands for many years”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:141-252 administrative
21
The four prospective near-death experience studies by independent groups all reached the conclusion that there were no physiological or psychological explanations for near-death experiences occurring during cardiac arrest with complete loss of brain function.
“The four prospective NDE studies by independent groups all reached the same conclusion: there were no physiological or psychological explanations for the NDEs, which took place during cardiac arrest when the patient had complete loss of brain function.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:14598-14841 opinion first hand
22
Pim van Lommel considers that enhanced consciousness with memories and perception from a position out of and above the lifeless body can be experienced during a period of unconsciousness, independently of the brain and body.
“Enhanced consciousness, with memories and perception from a position out of and above the lifeless body, can be experienced during a period of unconsciousness, independently of the brain and body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:14851-15042 opinion first hand
23
Pim van Lommel's conclusion that near-death experiences occur during clinical death, and not shortly before or after cardiac arrest, was based on compelling evidence enabled by the prospective design of the studies, involving complete medical data.
“This conclusion was reached on the basis of compelling evidence that the NDE occurs during the period of clinical death and not shortly before or after the cardiac arrest. It was the studies’ prospective design, involving complete medical data, that enabled this conclusion.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:15048-15311 opinion first hand
24
Pim van Lommel's interest in near-death experiences began in 1969 during his first year of hospital cardiology training.
“My interest in this began in 1969 during my first year of hospital cardiology training.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:1544-1622 testimony first hand
25
Pim van Lommel considers the veridical out-of-body experience of Maria in Seattle to provide the strongest evidence for the existence of consciousness outside and separate from the body.
“In fact, veridical OBEs, such as that of the well-known case of Maria in Seattle, provide the strongest evidence for the existence of consciousness outside and separate from the body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:15527-15705 opinion first hand
26
Even people blind from birth have described veridical near-death experiences in which they "see" in a way that was not possible from their bodies.
“Even people blind from birth have described veridical NDEs in which they “see” in a way that was not possible from their bodies.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:15877-15998 opinion first hand
27
Colour-blind people have perceived colours during near-death experiences.
“Color-blind people have perceived colors.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16006-16040 opinion first hand
28
During a near-death experience, the range of vision can extend to 360 degrees with bird's-eye views.
“The range of vision can extend to 360 degrees with bird’s-eye views.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16183-16245 opinion first hand
29
In Janice Holden's report on about 100 out-of-body experiences occurring during a near-death experience, 8 percent contained minor errors and 2 percent were false.
“8 percent contained minor errors, and 2 percent were false.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16399-16452 measurement second hand
30
Pim van Lommel considers that correct perceptions during out-of-body experiences cannot be hallucinations, because they correspond with reality in detail, whereas hallucinations caused by psychosis, delusion, or drugs have no basis in reality.
“These reports cannot be hallucinations because these correct perceptions during OBE correspond with reality in detail, while hallucinations, such as those caused by psychosis, delusion, or drugs, have no basis in reality.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16459-16672 opinion first hand
31
Pim van Lommel considers that one needs a functioning brain to hallucinate, and during cardiac arrest the function of the brain has ceased.
“Moreover, one needs a functioning brain to hallucinate, and during cardiac arrest the function of the brain has ceased.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16807-16919 opinion first hand
32
During the pilot phase of Pim van Lommel's study, a coronary-care-unit nurse reported a veridical out-of-body experience of a forty-four-year-old resuscitated patient found in a meadow by passersby, which van Lommel published in The Lancet.
“During the pilot phase of our study in one of the hospitals, a coronary-care-unit nurse reported a veridical out-of-body experience of a forty-four-year-old resuscitated patient, found in a meadow by passersby, which I published in The Lancet.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:16928-17165 testimony second hand
33
While the meadow patient was cyanotic, comatose, and still in cardiac arrest, the nurse removed his dentures to intubate him, and CPR continued for more than ninety minutes before he was transferred to the intensive care unit, still comatose but with heart rhythm restored.
“While the patient was cyanotic and comatose, and still in cardiac arrest, the nurse removed his dentures in order to intubate him, and the CPR continued for more than ninety minutes. Still comatose but with heart rhythm, he was eventually transferred to the intensive care unit.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:17174-17447 observation second hand
34
A coronary-care-unit nurse reported that, after more than a week in coma, the meadow patient recognised her and correctly recalled that she had removed his dentures and placed them on a cart with bottles and a sliding drawer during his admission to hospital.
“Only after more than a week in coma do I meet again with the patient... The moment he sees me he says: “Oh, that nurse knows where my dentures are.”... “Yes, you were there when I was brought into hospital and you took my dentures out of my mouth and put them onto that cart, it had all these bottles on it and there was this sliding drawer underneath and there you put my teeth.””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:17474-17945 testimony second hand
35
Pim van Lommel worked at a teaching hospital in Arnhem, Netherlands for many years.
“who worked at a teaching hospital in Arnhem in the Netherlands for many years”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:180-252 administrative
36
The meadow patient had seen himself lying in bed from above, perceived nurses and doctors performing CPR, and correctly described in detail the small room in which he had been resuscitated and the appearance of those present.
“When I asked further, it appeared the man had seen himself lying in bed, that he had perceived from above how nurses and doctors had been busy with CPR. He was also able to describe correctly and in detail the small room in which he had been resuscitated as well as the appearance of those present like myself.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:18078-18381 testimony second hand
37
The meadow patient reported that he had desperately and unsuccessfully tried to make it clear to the medical staff that he was still alive and that they should continue CPR.
“The patient tells me that he desperately and unsuccessfully tried to make it clear to us that he was still alive and that we should continue CPR.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:18637-18778 testimony second hand
38
The meadow patient left hospital as a healthy man four weeks after his cardiac arrest.
“Four weeks later he left hospital as a healthy man.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:18868-18915 observation second hand
39
Pim van Lommel considers that, based on cases of corroborated out-of-body experiences, there are good reasons to assume that consciousness does not always coincide with the functioning of the brain.
“Based on these cases of corroborated OBEs, I think that there are good reasons to assume that our consciousness does not always coincide with the functioning of our brain.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:18921-19086 opinion first hand
40
Pim van Lommel considers that consciousness, not the eye or the brain, is what perceives.
“Who or what is seeing? Not the eye and not the brain... It is our consciousness that perceives.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:19093-19140 opinion first hand
41
Pim van Lommel considers that the current view of the relationship between the brain and consciousness held by most physicians, philosophers, and psychologists is too restricted for a proper understanding of the near-death experience phenomenon.
“The current view of the relationship between the brain and consciousness held by most physicians, philosophers, and psychologists is too restricted for a proper understanding of this phenomenon.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:19529-19712 opinion first hand
42
Pim van Lommel concludes that the brain most likely has a facilitating or receiving, and not a producing, function in the experience of consciousness.
“I have come to the inevitable conclusion that most likely the brain has a facilitating or receiving and not a producing function in the experience of consciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:19724-19874 opinion first hand
43
Pim van Lommel considers his conclusions about near-death experiences (NDEs) not always in conformity with the currently widely accepted materialist paradigm of consciousness in Western science.
“My conclusions are not always in conformity with the currently widely accepted materialistic paradigm of Western science.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:20013-20126 opinion first hand
44
Pim van Lommel considers that scientific research on near-death experiences (NDEs) still gives rise to many unbelieving and critical questions, especially from physicians and neuroscientists.
“This is why scientific research on NDEs still gives rise to many unbelieving and critical questions, especially by physicians and neuroscientists.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:20135-20265 opinion first hand
45
Electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans measure electrical, magnetic, and chemical activity in the brain.
“We can measure only the electrical, magnetic, chemical activities in the brain by EEG-, MEG-, and PET-scan”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:20608-20710 observation first hand
46
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures changes in blood flow in the brain.
“we can measure changes in blood flow in the brain by fMRI”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:20720-20773 observation first hand
47
Pim van Lommel considers that brain measurements such as EEG, MEG, PET, and fMRI show only neural correlates of consciousness, not an explanation of how consciousness is produced.
“but these are only neural correlates of consciousness. These measurements do not explain anything about the production nor about the content of consciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:20779-20923 opinion first hand
48
Pim van Lommel considers that the widely accepted assumption that consciousness and memories are produced by, and localised in, large groups of neurons in the brain should be reconsidered.
“The widely accepted assumption that consciousness and memories are produced by large groups of neurons and are localized in the brain should now be reconsidered”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:21213-21361 opinion first hand
49
In 2005, the journal Science published a list of 125 questions that scientists had so far failed to answer.
“In 2005, the journal *Science* published 125 questions that scientists have so far failed to answer.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:22281-22374 administrative second hand
50
The most important unanswered question in Science's 2005 list of 125 unanswered questions was "What is the universe made of?"
“The most important unanswered question was “What is the universe made of?””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:22382-22452 administrative second hand
51
The second most important unanswered question in Science's 2005 list of 125 unanswered questions was "What is the biological basis of consciousness?"
“That was followed by “What is the biological basis of consciousness?””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:22457-22511 administrative second hand
52
Pim van Lommel proposes reformulating the question "What is the biological basis of consciousness?" as "Does consciousness have a biological basis at all?"
“But I would like to reformulate this second question as follows: “Does consciousness have a biological basis at all?””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:22527-22639 opinion first hand
53
Pim van Lommel proposes that, based on universally reported aspects of consciousness experienced during cardiac arrest, the informational fields of consciousness likely consist of waves rooted in an invisible realm beyond time and space (nonlocality) that are always present around and through the body.
“Based on the universal reported aspects of consciousness experienced during cardiac arrest, we can surmise that the informational fields of our consciousness, likely consisting of waves, are rooted in an invisible realm beyond time and space (nonlocality), and are always present around and through us, permeating our body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:22646-22964 opinion first hand
54
Pim van Lommel proposes that normal waking consciousness has a biological basis because the body acts as an interface for a larger, nonlocal field of consciousness.
“Our normal, waking consciousness has a biological basis, because our body is an interface for it. But it is one small part of our larger field of consciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:23123-23269 opinion first hand
55
Pim van Lommel considers that, in his concept, consciousness is not physically rooted, and continues to exist even after brain function has been lost, though the ability to receive it into waking awareness is lost.
“as soon as the function of the brain has been lost, like turning off the TV, memories and consciousness do still exist, but the reception ability is lost; the connection, or interface, is interrupted. Yet consciousness can be experienced during such a period of a nonfunctioning brain, and this is what we call an NDE. So in my concept, consciousness is not physically rooted.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:23560-23929 opinion first hand
56
Pim van Lommel refers to consciousness that exists beyond time and space, with no material or biological basis, as "nonlocal consciousness".
“I refer to this consciousness beyond time and space, which has no material or biological basis, as “nonlocal consciousness.””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:23938-24047 opinion first hand
57
Pim van Lommel proposes that nonlocal consciousness features an interconnectedness that offers the chance of communication with the thoughts and feelings of others, including deceased friends and relatives.
“It features an interconnectedness that offers the chance of communication with the thoughts and feelings of others, and with those of deceased friends and relatives.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:24063-24218 opinion first hand
58
It was not until 1967 that techniques for resuscitation became available, and before that year all patients with cardiac arrest had died.
“It was not until 1967 that techniques for resuscitation were available, and before that year all patients with cardiac arrest had died.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:2448-2578 observation first hand
59
Pim van Lommel considers that aspects of quantum mechanics, such as nonlocality, help explain how consciousness functions.
“Aspects of quantum mechanics like nonlocality help us to understand how consciousness actually functions.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:25538-25633 opinion first hand
60
Pim van Lommel considers that the near-death experience (NDE) can be explained in all its elements as an experience of nonlocal consciousness.
“such as the NDE, which can be explained in all its elements as an experience of nonlocal consciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:25727-25816 opinion first hand
61
Pim van Lommel considers that the conclusion that consciousness can be experienced independently of brain function should induce a large change in the scientific paradigm of Western medicine.
“The inevitable conclusion that consciousness can be experienced independently of brain function, and what that implies, should induce a huge change in the scientific paradigm in Western medicine.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:25832-26018 opinion first hand
62
Pim van Lommel considers that a changed understanding of consciousness could have practical implications for medical and ethical issues including the care of comatose or dying patients, euthanasia, abortion, and organ removal for transplantation from a person in the dying process with a beating heart in a warm body but diagnosed with brain death.
“It could have practical implications in actual medical and ethical problems such as the care of comatose or dying patients, euthanasia, abortion, and the removal of organs for transplantation from somebody in the dying process with a beating heart in a warm body but with a diagnosis of brain death.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:26028-26321 opinion first hand
63
Pim van Lommel published several professional papers on cardiology.
“published several professional papers on cardiology”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:262-303 administrative
64
Pim van Lommel believes that at the time of physical death, consciousness continues to be experienced in another dimension, in an invisible and immaterial world containing all past, present, and future.
“because of the almost unavoidable conclusion that at the time of physical death consciousness will continue to be experienced in another dimension, in an invisible and immaterial world, in which all past, present, and future is enclosed.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:26401-26629 opinion first hand
65
The resuscitated patient at Pim van Lommel's coronary care unit in 1969 was disappointed to have revived and described going through a tunnel, seeing a light and beautiful colours, and hearing music.
“But to our surprise, the patient seemed to be very, very disappointed. With great emotion, he told us about going through a tunnel, seeing a light and beautiful colors, and hearing music.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:2666-2847 observation first hand
66
Pim van Lommel believes that death, like birth, is merely a passing from one state of consciousness into another.
“I have come to believe that presumably death, like birth, is a mere passing from one state of consciousness into another.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:26768-26881 opinion first hand
67
Pim van Lommel believes that death is only the end of the physical body, and that people have a body but are consciousness.
“Death is only the end of our physical body. In other words: we have a body, but we are consciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:26985-27072 opinion first hand
68
Pim van Lommel believes that essential consciousness existed before birth and will exist after death, with no beginning and no end.
“It is hard to avoid the conclusion that our essential consciousness existed before our birth and will exist after we die. It has no beginning and no end.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:27087-27236 opinion first hand
69
Pim van Lommel considers that materialist Western scientific worldview has not yet responsibly addressed the challenge posed by research suggestive of the survival of consciousness beyond physical death.
“This materialistic worldview has so far not responsibly addressed the challenge provided by research suggestive of the survival of consciousness beyond physical death.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:28090-28251 opinion first hand
70
In 1986, Pim van Lommel began studying near-death experiences (NDEs) in patients who survived a cardiac arrest.
“In 1986, he began studying near-death experiences in patients who survived a cardiac arrest.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:315-400 administrative
71
Pim van Lommel began interviewing his patients who had survived a cardiac arrest to learn more about near-death experiences, out of scientific curiosity.
“I wanted to find out more, so I started to interview my patients who had survived a cardiac arrest. It all started for me by scientific curiosity.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:4635-4771 testimony first hand
72
Within two years of Pim van Lommel starting to interview cardiac arrest survivors, twelve out of fifty survivors told him about their near-death experiences.
“within two years, twelve patients out of fifty survivors told me about their near-death experiences, and I learned much more about them.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:4808-4939 observation first hand
73
Pim van Lommel considers that most people who experience a near-death experience do not want to return because of the joy and beauty inherent in the experience.
“Like the first NDE patient I knew in 1969, most do not want to return because of the joy and beauty inherent in the experience.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:5208-5324 opinion first hand
74
Pim van Lommel defines a near-death experience as the reported memory of a range of impressions during a special state of consciousness, including being out of the body, going through a tunnel, seeing a bright light, meeting deceased relatives, having a life review, and making a conscious return into the body.
“I define it as the reported memory of a range of impressions during a special state of consciousness, including a number of universal elements, such as being out of the body, going through a tunnel, seeing a bright light, meeting deceased relatives, having a life review, and making a conscious return into the body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:5662-5973 opinion first hand
75
Near-death experiences occur mostly during a critical medical situation like cardiac arrest or other life-threatening situations, but can also occur in nonthreatening situations, sometimes without any obvious reason.
“These occur mostly during a critical medical situation like cardiac arrest or in other life-threatening situations, but they can also occur in nonthreatening situations, sometimes even without any obvious reason, where the brain is functional and the person is not near death.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:5979-6249 opinion first hand
76
Pim van Lommel considers that near-death experiences occurring during cardiac arrest or deep coma are the most interesting to science.
“The cases occurring during cardiac arrest or deep coma are the most interesting to science.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:6256-6339 opinion first hand
77
The near-death experience is almost always transformational, causing enhanced intuitive sensitivity, profound insights and reevaluations of life, and a loss of fear of death.
“The NDE is almost always transformational, causing enhanced intuitive sensitivity, profound insights and reevaluations of life, and a loss of a fear of death.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:6349-6501 opinion first hand
78
The content of the near-death experience and its effects on patients appear similar worldwide, across all cultures and all times.
“The content of the NDE and its effects on patients seem similar worldwide, across all cultures and all times.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:6653-6756 opinion first hand
79
Individual cultural and religious factors determine the vocabulary and interpretation of the near-death experience, because of the subjective nature and absence of a frame of reference for the experience.
“the subjective nature and the absence of a frame of reference for this near-ineffable experience has meant that individual cultural and religious factors determine the vocabulary and interpretation of the experience.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:6772-6977 opinion first hand
80
Pim van Lommel found that no prior theory explained the near-death experience of enhanced consciousness with lucid thoughts, emotions, memories from earliest childhood, visions of the future, and perception from a position outside and above the body.
“But none explained the experience of an enhanced consciousness, with lucid thoughts, emotions, memories from earliest childhood, visions of the future, and the possibility of perception from a position outside and above the body.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:7092-7316 opinion first hand
81
There appeared to be an inverse relationship between the clarity of consciousness and the loss of brain function during near-death experiences.
“In fact, there appeared to be an inverse relationship between the clarity of consciousness and the loss of brain function.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:7676-7789 observation first hand
82
Pim van Lommel is recognised as a world authority on near-death experiences and has lectured on the topic all over the world.
“he is now recognized as a world authority on near-death experiences. He has lectured on this topic all over the world.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:771-883 administrative
83
Most existing theories about near-death experiences were based on anecdotal evidence and retrospective studies with self-selected patients and did not include accurate medical data.
“Most theories were based on anecdotal evidence and retrospective studies with self-selected patients and did not include accurate medical data.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:7944-8082 opinion first hand
84
In 1988, Pim van Lommel joined with two psychologists in the Netherlands to launch a prospective study of the frequency, cause, and content of near-death experiences.
“In order to find more definitive answers, I joined with two psychologists in the Netherlands and in 1988 we launched a comprehensive and scientifically sound prospective study of the frequency, cause, and content of near-death experiences.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:8088-8315 testimony first hand
85
Before Pim van Lommel's 1988 study, no large-scale prospective near-death experience studies had been undertaken anywhere in the world.
“At that point, no large-scale prospective NDE studies had been undertaken anywhere in the world.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:8482-8572 opinion first hand
86
Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study involved 344 consecutive cardiac arrest survivors in ten Dutch hospitals.
“The study involved 344 consecutive cardiac arrest survivors in ten Dutch hospitals.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:8580-8653 measurement first hand
87
In the Dutch prospective study, patients were asked within a few days of resuscitation whether they had any memories from the period of their cardiac arrest.
“Within a few days of their resuscitation, the patients were asked whether they had any memories from the period of their cardiac arrest, during their time of unconsciousness.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:8664-8822 administrative first hand
88
Clinical death is defined as a period of unconsciousness caused by anoxia (a lack of oxygen to the brain) due to the arrest of circulation and breathing, in which the person has no palpable pulse or measurable blood pressure, no body reflexes, and no brain stem reflexes.
“This is defined as a period of unconsciousness caused by anoxia (a lack of oxygen to the brain) due to the arrest of circulation and breathing. The person has no palpable pulse or measurable blood pressure, no body reflexes, and no brain stem reflexes.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:9382-9625 opinion first hand
89
If cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not started within five to ten minutes of cardiac arrest, irreversible brain damage occurs and the patient will die.
“If CPR is not started within five to ten minutes, irreversible damage of the brain occurs and the patient will die.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:9635-9746 opinion first hand
90
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 282 patients, or 82 percent, had no recollections from their period of unconsciousness during cardiac arrest.
“Our results showed 282 patients, or 82 percent, had no recollections at all from their time of unconsciousness while in cardiac arrest.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:9801-9929 measurement first hand
91
In Pim van Lommel's Dutch prospective study, 62 patients, or 18 percent, had some recollection of a near-death experience.
“However 62 patients, or 18 percent, had some recollection of an NDE.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch18:9937-10001 measurement first hand
92
End-of-life experiences contain many of the elements described by Pim van Lommel and others in the Western near-death experience (NDE): a beautiful place where the dying meet dead relatives and spiritual beings who help them, a bright light, and wide transcendent feelings.
“These ELEs contain many of the elements described by Pim van Lommel and others in the Western NDE—a beautiful place where they meet dead relatives and spiritual beings to help them, a bright light, and wide transcendent feelings.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch20:13377-13597 observation
93
Peter Fenwick considers that all end-of-life experiences bearing a relationship to the near-death experience (NDE) or the survival of consciousness after death suggest that consciousness is nonlocal, as Pim van Lommel describes it, more a field structure than something created by the brain.
“All of them suggest that consciousness is nonlocal, as Pim van Lommel describes—more a field structure than something created by the brain.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch20:6424-6557 opinion first hand
94
Pim van Lommel described nonlocal consciousness as featuring an interconnectedness that offers the chance of communication with the thoughts and feelings of others and of deceased friends and relatives, with roots in another invisible, immaterial realm that is always in us and around us.
“Van Lommel described nonlocal consciousness as featuring “an interconnectedness that offers the chance of communication with the thoughts and feelings of others, and with those of deceased friends and relatives. Its roots lie in another invisible, immaterial realm that is always in us and around us.””
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch23:1407-1704 opinion first hand
95
Pim van Lommel and others proposed the theory of nonlocal consciousness, which postulates that deeper consciousness is not generated by the brain.
“Pim van Lommel and others have provided what may be the first step in that direction with the theory of nonlocal consciousness, postulating that our deeper consciousness is not generated by the brain.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch23:681-875 opinion first hand
96
Leslie Kean considers that if consciousness can function independently of the brain, as described by Pim van Lommel and Peter Fenwick, the survival hypothesis becomes a simpler and preferable explanation for cases suggestive of survival after death.
“If one deduces, as Pim van Lommel and Peter Fenwick described earlier, that consciousness can function independently of the brain, survival seems to be a simpler explanation, and certainly a preferable one (since we all die, don’t we?).”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch31:40114-40345 opinion first hand
97
Pim van Lommel wrote in Consciousness Beyond Life that a cardiac arrest patient left hospital four weeks later as a healthy man.
“"Four weeks later he left hospital as a healthy man" / van Lommel, Consciousness Beyond Life.”
Surviving Death 2017-03-07 ch41:24905-24991 testimony first hand
98
Pim van Lommel won second place in the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest 2021.
“and then Pim van Lommel uh Pim van Lommel the dutch doctor uh he won second place”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:25:58.6-00:26:04.4 administrative first hand
99
Pim van Lommel is a Dutch doctor.
“Pim van Lommel the dutch doctor”
The Evolution of AAWSAP | Bigelow Podcast, Ep. 2 2026-08-11 00:26:01.0-00:26:02.5 administrative first hand