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 The
late Juliet Nightingale was a lifelong
mystic and Seer from England who went through a
number of near-death experiences resulting from
life-threatening illnesses she had since
childhood. One of them occurred in the mid-70s
while battling colon cancer which caused her to
lapse into a coma. These experiences had a
profound and lasting effect on her life - along
with many out-of-body and spiritually
transformative experiences (STEs). Initially,
however, she rarely spoke about them because of
being grossly judged and misunderstood when she
did. Thanks to her joining the
International
Association for Near-Death Studies
(IANDS) - the premier organization of NDE
research and support - she had been able to share
her experiences first hand, and had generated
great interest and deepening awareness of the
profundity of the near-death and similar
experiences in recent years. Juliet
chaired the membership committee on the
IANDS Board of
Directors
and belonged to the
Friends of IANDS
Coastal Connecticut.
She was passionate about encouraging fellow
experiencers and others to join IANDS because of
the tremendous resources, support and amity the
organization has got to offer. Visit
IANDS membership page
for information about becoming a
member of IANDS.
Juliet's website,
Toward The Light,
is still maintained and contains lots of
interesting information and articles. The following is her NDE account reprinted here
by permission.
 The
near-death experience (NDE) - of which I've had
a few - mainly occurred at a time when NDEs were
rarely documented, much less talked about. It
was something I could only share with certain
individuals, who were already spiritually aware,
open minded ... or, at least, receptive. Yet, it
still happened that, on occasion, one would
accuse me of having had a hallucination, or
being in need of 'psychiatric evaluation,'
because ignorance was still so prevalent at that
time. The good news is that, in recent years,
the NDE has not only been talked about, it has
also been documented and has received widespread
media interest - both in broadcast and print
media. A good example of this is my having seen
articles in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia
in recent past ... ncluding a column in which I
appeared. Scientists, physicians, psychologists,
ministers, mystics and others, have all
congregated together to obtain a deeper
understanding of the phenomenon of the NDE. It
is something that many people - such as myself -
have been through; and many of us have been
called back to teach and to share our
experiences with others. By all rights, one
might wonder why so many of us have been brought
back ... while others remain on the Other Side.
This is mainly due to the fact that we were
needed to fulfill and complete something
significant in our own lives ... as well as to
honor a special mission to help humanity finally
come to the realization that there is indeed no
death. We simply "move on" and continue to
evolve in our journey back toward the Light.
Since people are always inquiring, "What
happened?" and "What's it like?" I will try to
convey what happened to me that led to one of my
NDEs ... as well as what I experienced from the
Other Side. Please excuse me if this doesn't fit
into a tidy chronological sequence, as there is
no such thing as linear time on the Other Side.
Everything is always experienced in the now -
including past and future.
Herein, I will attempt to explain and recapture
my experiences on the Other Side and how it
affected me. I will humbly attempt to grasp the
proper words for describing this most lofty
experience that had a profound impact on me ... and has changed my life forever.
 In
the mid-70's, I was dealing with a terminal
disease, colon cancer, where my life was ebbing
away. I was bedridden for the most part, but
could sometimes manage to sit up for short
periods. Being the contemplative that I was, I
was always listening and observing - taking
things in and trying to understand the deeper
wisdom behind what was happening to me and where
all of this was leading. As a result, I became
more withdrawn and detached ... as I observed
everything round me starting to change. Solid
matter became more translucent and fluid-like;
colors became more vivid and vibrant; sound was
more clear and acute ... and so on. I could no
longer comprehend anything printed on a page,
because it no longer meant anything to me in my
changed state of consciousness. It was like
trying to read and understand a foreign
language! I had already departed from the
third-dimensional realm for the most part ... and
my awareness enveloped other things.
I was entering into
what I later came to refer to as the "twilight"
stage. In this state, everything was altered. I
got to a point where my consciousness was
already making the transition from one realm to
the other - being more aware of other realities
on other dimensions. I was seeing and perceiving
things and other beings inter-dimensionally -
even though I was still somewhat conscious on
the physical plane. I've, since, realized that
this is what a lot of dying people go through
...
(such as those in hospitals, nursing homes
or others in hospice care), while an
observer might think that they're hallucinating
or seeing someone or something that "isn't
really there." In truth, this is a state where
one, such as myself, is experiencing other
dimensions simultaneously while still on the
physical plane, because, in reality, we are
multidimensional beings.
I
finally lapsed into a coma on Boxing Day, 26
December, and, ironically, declared "dead" on my
birthday, 2 February!
(Now I've got two
natal charts!)
As others observed that I was in a coma - which
lasted over five weeks - I was having a
completely different experience! One would look
at my body and think that I was unconscious ... asleep
... with no awareness of what was going on
… or anything. Yet, I was very conscious and
profoundly aware, because, in truth, we never
really sleep; only our bodies do. We are always
aware … and active … on one level of
consciousness or another. Just the fact that we
dream while asleep is an indication of our
consciousness always being active. And, indeed,
our bodies need to rest, so that we can tap into
… and experience other aspects of our
consciousness and being!
The best
way I can describe the transition from being
"alive" on the physical plane and the passage to
the Other Side is like passing from one "room"
to another. You do not cease to be or lose
consciousness; your consciousness simply shifts
from one vantage point to another. The
experience changes; your outlook changes; your
feelings change. And the feelings I experienced
were profound; for me, it most certainly became
that peace that surpasses all understanding.
My
transition was gradual as a result of having a
terminal disease - as opposed to a sudden one
incurred from accidents, heart attacks, etc. I
became aware of a "Being of Light" enveloping
me. Everything was stunningly beautiful - so
vibrant and luminous … and so full of life -
yes, life! – in ways that one would never see or
experience on the physical plane. I was totally
and completely enveloped in divine Love. It was
unconditional love … in the truest sense of the
word. I was in constant communion with this
Light and always aware of its loving presence
with me at all times. Consequently, there was no
sense of fear whatsoever … and I was never
alone. This was a special opportunity to
experience being at one with the ALL - never
separate … and never at a loss.
 The
colors were so beautiful - watching the Light
whirl all round me, pulsating and dancing …
making whooshing sounds … and being ever so
playful at times … then very serious at other
times. Many things would take on a luminous glow
- a sort of soft peach color. Everything was so
vibrant - even when I saw deep space! I was
constantly in a state of awe … There were always
beautiful beings round me as well - helping me …
guiding me … reassuring me … and also pouring
love into me. I was never alone.
One of
the first things I remember experiencing was the
life review - which included everything that I'd
experienced in my physical incarnation up to
that point. It was like being at the cinema -
watching a movie of my life and everything
happening simultaneously. I think most NDErs
will agree that, the life review is one of the
most difficult aspects of the NDE. Viewing your
entire life before you - with every thought,
word, action, etc. - can be most unsettling,
indeed. Yet, what happened was the fact that no
one passed judgment on me! I only felt the
constant enveloping of divine love from the
Being of Light that was always with me. What I
came to realize, then, is that we judge
ourselves! There was no "he-god" sitting on some
throne, passing judgment on me,
(not that I even expected to see such a
being in the first place). I never
subscribed to such religious myths anyway. I
seemed to be the only one who was uncomfortable
and most critical of myself. Yet, having stated
that, I also realized that I wasn't coming from
a vantage point of the "ego self" but, rather,
from my soul self that was much more detached
and having no feelings of being emotionally
charged, etc. I was no longer identifying with
the personality of the physical self. Therefore,
what I felt was very different - coming from a
completely different perspective as the soul
self … or my true identity.
Even
though I was no longer in my physical body, I
did have form - a body of sorts. The best way I
can describe this is that I felt like a bubble -
floating and moving about effortlessly -
sometimes very fast … or gently drifting about.
I felt hollow inside and so clear - even having
a sensation of a breeze blowing inside of me.
There was never any sense of hunger, thirst,
weariness or pain. Such things never entered my
mind, in fact! Alas, I was pure consciousness,
embodied in a light and ethereal form, traveling
about … or being still and observing intently …
and always in a state of awe. It was such a
glorious sensation where I experienced such calm
and a profound sense of peace and constant
trust. I also experienced no blindness, (as I do
with my physical eyes being legally blind), and
what a sense of awe and wonder - to be able to
see!
At one
point, I perceived myself as being on a guided
tour, as it were - visiting and observing
different places, beings and situations - some
very pleasant and some very painful. The best
way I can describe this "tour" was like being in
a circular enclosure of windows - each pane
revealing something different … but when I'd
focus on one particular pane, I'd suddenly see
the pane become full size (much like a "window"
on your computer monitor becoming full screen)
and I stood still - just watching.
 One
pane revealed a scene that one might interpret
as a ‘hell' or 'purgatory' where faceless, gray
colored entities moved about aimlessly and
moaned. They were clearly suffering and in great
agony and anguish. I saw these souls as damaged
souls - ones who had committed unspeakable
atrocities during their previous incarnations. I
have used the analogy of a soul being
'retrograde' - much in the way a planet will
have the appearance of going backwards. The
prevailing feeling that I had whilst observing
these souls was one of deep compassion and a
yearning to comfort them. I wanted so much to
see them relieved of their horrible suffering.
But, alas, as painful as this scene was, I was
reassured that these souls were here only
temporarily and that they, too, would heal and
move back in a forward direction and ultimately
return to the Light. All souls, without
exception, eventually return to the Light …
according to what was revealed to me.
The
above scene led to another scene where I saw
images of people I knew in my present life -
obviously those still incarnate on the physical
plane, but my viewing them from the Other Side
in a scene that would take place in future.
(Again, everything experienced on the Other Side
is always in the "Now" - even "past" and
"future".)
These were individuals who'd also committed
atrocities in one form or another - individuals
who had severely violated me, or people I love.
But the scene I beheld was one where they were
being made to suffer … as a result of what
they'd done - that, most likely being the karmic
result of their decisions and actions, etc.
Again, I felt a deep sense of compassion for
them … and feeling sad that they had to endure
such suffering, yet realizing that it was also
unavoidable. Never once did I feel any sense of
anger or hostility towards these individuals …
but only wanting to see them healed … so that
they, too, would come to know love.
Another
scene I remember was that of finding myself
observing a realm that constituted water. I
beheld all its beauty and splendor and it was
teaming with life. Then, before I knew it, I
found myself under water and not having to worry
about breathing! I was moving about effortlessly
and mingling with everything that I'd first
observed from without. The same thing happened
to me when I moved through space … and danced
and flowed with all the heavenly bodies and
lights. There were lots of times for play and
buzzing about with all the light beings - moving
all round me like comets. This was an
opportunity to experience great joy and feeling
so light and completely void of worry or fear. I
could move effortlessly … and adapt to any
environment I happened to be in at any given
moment. I would simply think about something and
it would instantly manifest … or I'd think about
a place and there I'd be! Oh, what a sensation
to experience such power - to be anywhere I
wanted to be and to create anything I wanted to
… and to feel so totally free!
After
experiencing the "tour," adventures and times of
play and creation, etc., things became more
serious … and I was again in direct communion
with the Being of Light. I was now being asked
to "help" or "assist" in some way … in creating
and determining the outcome of certain events,
situations or even things affecting others! Me?
Just little me? Oh my, I thought. That's a grave
and serious responsibility. I felt so honored …
and so humble … being asked to participate in
such a feat … but what if I failed to do my part
as needed, I wondered. Then, I was assured that
everything would work out exactly as it should -
even if I couldn't complete things as desired.
It seemed that the point in all this was the
fact that we co-create with the Light … and we
are also part of the Light. Furthermore, no
matter what happens … the Light Source will
always be in control … and be there to see
things through … despite any shortcomings on our
part as souls. How auspicious it is, then, to
realize that as souls, we are a part of all
creation and take part in the actual creative
process thereof!
This
very thought of being asked to help - to
co-create with the Light - made me feel
profoundly special and important in the greater
scheme of things, but by no means from an
egotistical point of view. As stated above, I
felt so deeply humble and a serious sense of
responsibility for every thought and action I
made. My only thought was that I wanted to do
what was right. How important it was that I be
very loving and creative … and never damaging in
any way … and that's the gift. I realized at
that point, how totally connected with all life
… through all the universes … I am. I felt one
with the All - never separate, never apart.
Still, there was no fear. Still, there was only
love. Forever and for always I could never be
alone … because I would never be alone. It's
impossible to be alone, because life is
everywhere; love is everywhere … and this is
what carried me and has stayed with me.
 I
so cherished this communion with the Light.
Everything was communicated telepathically -
whether with the Light or other beings, friends
or loved ones. It didn't matter. It was always
honest, open and real … and it was always done
with love. There's no such thing as "putting on
airs" and no need to hide on the Other Side. No
one is there to hurt you in any way - not in the
least - because there is no sense of lack … or
the need to "steal" someone else's power or
energy. You are operating as a soul, not
centered in ego or personality. It's nice to
realize that you will have whatever you need,
because you've got the capacity and power to
create it instantly!
As the
mood seemed to shift … I felt as if there was
something serious that was just about to befall
me. I was now being told that I was going to
have to return to the alien
(physical)
world I'd left behind - that I was needed there
for something very special and significant. I
needed to go back to share what had just
happened to me … and to let others know that
life is, indeed, eternal and that death is an
illusion. On a personal level, I was told that I
needed to experience great love and joy in that
world … and finally I would be able to return
Home. I was, then, assured that I was real … and
that I could believe in what I'd come to know in
this glorious realm - not only about myself … but
also about all life. I was also told, however,
that the world I was returning to was an
illusion and that I wasn't to identify with it
or be involved - to be in it but not of it - and
that I was only passing through.
To say
that my heart sank would be an understatement.
This was the first time that I had the true
experience of a broken heart while on the Other
Side. The very thought of leaving this sacred
realm where I was in constant communion with the
Light and other beings … crushed me in ways I
could never describe. I knew how dark and
foreboding that strange, illusory world that I
was being asked to return to was … and it is,
indeed, a world I've never identified with!
However, I was, once again, reassured that the
Light and other loving beings would be with me
at all times … and to remember that I'd never be
alone. Gratefully, there was still no sense of
fear - only sorrow now, but realizing that I had
to honor the divine will, making this request of
me.
As I
reluctantly accepted this mission, I suddenly
beheld before me, a most beautiful being who
appeared in front of me - pouring tremendous
love into me and filling me to overflowing. It
was as if this was my gift … for accepting the
painful request to leave my home on the Other
Side and return to a world so alien to me. This
being loved me very deeply and stayed with me,
continuing to radiate love and sound … and it
was made clear that he'd be with me always.
I
started moving back into this world in much the
same way that I had left it. It was a very
gradual transition. I was, now, more aware of my
body laying in hospital intensive care, hooked
up to a life-support system, but it was still so
separate from me and the vantage point I was
experiencing, from the Other Side. It was like
being a newborn baby when I finally regained
consciousness on this plane. Everything was so
strange and new! I had just come from another
world - literally - and this world appeared so
much darker and void of color by comparison.
Everything was drab and appeared flat to me. I
didn't feel the life-force I experienced on the
Other Side … but I was resolved to honor the
will of the Light I'd been sent back to fulfill.
I had a mission … and there was a special
promise that was made to me in return.
 Even
in hospital, I was aware of the Being of Light
still with me … and communicating with me. I was
also still aware of other beings with me -
beings that I came to realize, later, only I
could see and hear. Finally, one day, the Being
of Light disappeared from view of my mortal
awareness … and I knew, now, that I was fully
back in this world. Again, I was broken-hearted,
but still free of all fear … and believing and
trusting in the promise that I'd never be alone
… and so it was.
This
near-death experience
(or what I prefer to
call an Eternal Life Experience) left me
feeling such a profound sense of triumph and
awe. Something else I learned, too, is that fear
is an acquired state, not a natural one. It is
something that you learn … but having no
connection with the soul self. Love is the
prevailing force at all times … no matter how
things may appear in this world of duality and
illusion. It's merely a hologram - created by
the collective consciousness - for the sake of
growth and evolution. Therefore, what occurred
on the Other Side, for me, was a special
opportunity to experience … and know - with
total certainty - that everything was evolving
exactly the way it should … and that the
ultimate destiny for every living being is to
return to the Source, The Light … Pure Love.
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