Happenings Newsletter
25Q3V6
September 2025
Dr. Jeffrey Long
IANDS Conference 2025
At the IANDS conference this year I presented the results from the largest cross-cultural near-death experience (NDE) study ever conducted. This study presented a direct cross-cultural analysis of NDEs, drawing on NDERF’s multilingual archive and focusing on 91 non-Western NDEs, with a primary head-to-head comparison of 30 non-Western English-language accounts versus 924 Western English-language accounts that completed the same standardized survey. Using chi-square tests across 48 items, only 7 responses showed statistically significant differences. For the 34 content-focused questions, approximately 88% (30 of 34) showed no difference, 3 of 34 were borderline at p < 0.05, and 1 of 34 differed clearly at p < 0.01. Small disparities were mainly demographic, such as non-Western NDErs tending to be younger and post-1975, or nuanced, such as slightly lower endorsements of explicit “unity or oneness” or “meaning or purpose” information, and more reports of less-than-usual alertness at the peak of the experience. A second historical cohort, 21 non-Western versus 1,105 Western on an earlier survey, replicated the core pattern with 11 of 12 content items showing no difference and one content and one aftereffect item differing. An AI narrative review likewise concluded that the non-Western narratives are far more similar than dissimilar to Western accounts
Taken together, the data show striking cross-cultural consistency in core NDE elements, including out-of-body perceptions of earthly events, positive emotions, unearthly realms, tunnels, light, encounters with presences, life review, altered time, and transformative aftereffects. The study’s practical message is global and unifying, since across continents and faiths, NDErs describe love, connectedness, and continuity of consciousness, which points to common themes of hope, unity, and an enduring afterlife.
Jody Long
Using Near-Death Experiences to Overcome the Fear of Death
Fear of death is one of humanity’s oldest and deepest anxieties. Across cultures and centuries, people have struggled with the mystery of what happens when life ends. Yet, accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) provide remarkable insights that can help ease this universal fear. By listening to the stories of those who have faced death and returned, we find reasons for comfort, courage, and even hope.
What Are NDEs?
A near-death experience (NDE) occurs when someone experiences or comes close to physical death, often during cardiac arrest, accidents, or trauma, and reports vivid perceptions while unconscious. Common features include leaving the body, traveling through a tunnel, meeting deceased loved ones, encountering a radiant light, and feeling profound peace. These experiences often leave people convinced that consciousness continues beyond the physical body.
Why NDEs Reduce the Fear of Death: One of the most consistent aftereffects of NDEs is the dramatic reduction of the fear of death. Many people have even reported losing the fear of death. Experiencers frequently describe death not as an end, but as a transition into another form of existence. Many compare it to “going home” or “waking up” from a dream. The overwhelming love, acceptance, and clarity they report stand in stark contrast to cultural portrayals of death as terrifying or final. For example, individuals who encounter the “being of light” often say they felt unconditional love and complete understanding. Others describe reunions with family members who had passed away, reinforcing the belief that relationships continue beyond the grave. These encounters create a lasting conviction that death is not something to fear, but rather part of a larger journey. Shifting Life’s Priorities: NDEs don’t just change attitudes toward death, they also reshape how people live. Freed from fear, many experiencers report living more fully, with greater compassion and less concern for material success. They focus on love, relationships, and spiritual growth rather than chasing temporary achievements. This transformation provides a powerful model for those who still struggle with anxiety about mortality. Lessons for the Rest of Us: Even without having an NDE, people can learn from these accounts. Reading or listening to experiencers can expand our perspective on life and death. By reflecting on their descriptions of peace, love, and continued existence, we can begin to loosen the grip of fear. Meditation, spiritual practices, or simply contemplating the lessons of NDEs can also help us cultivate peace about death. These stories remind us that what matters most is not how long we live, but how deeply we love and how kindly we treat others. Conclusion: Near-death experiences offer a unique window into one of life’s greatest mysteries. While science continues to study their causes, the personal impact on experiencers is undeniable: fear of death fades, replaced by trust in a greater reality. By listening to their voices, we too can begin to shift from fear toward acceptance, from anxiety toward peace. Death, seen through the lens of NDEs, is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter. Important: This article is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please seek help immediately from a qualified professional or call your local crisis hotline (in the U.S., dial 988).
NDERF Volunteer Spotlight
Meet John Cotter
This quarter, we’re honored to spotlight John Cotter, one of our "IT techies," who first joined NDERF to work on our online volunteer form and CRM database integration. As one of our most dedicated volunteers, he is now working to develop and onboard new volunteers to our technology suite of collaboration tools.
John is a computer programmer with over 35 years of industry experience. Now retired, he's using both his time and tech talents in an area that has fascinated him for most of his life. His interest in NDEs began in high school when he stumbled upon his mother's copy of Life After Life by Raymond Moody. Although John has never had an NDE, he agrees with researcher Kenneth Ring's conclusion from his book Lessons From the Light that studying and learning about NDEs can benefit us nearly as much as those who experiencing one firsthand. John lives in Madison, WI with his dog Ruby.
Thank you, John!
Voices & Visions - Art
Contributing Artist
We are honored to recognize Kati Sandmann as a contributor to our Voices & Visions art contest. Her submission captures a radiant mandala of color and light, drawing the eye inward to reflect on the intricacies of the lines and the seeming motion that both flows from and returns to the center. Its vibrant patterns echo her own life themes of hardship, healing, energy and spiritual connection; inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and sense the harmony woven through nature and the soul. Born and raised in Germany, Kati’s path has taken her across continents, from Scotland to London as a young adult and ultimately to Mexico, where she found a deep love for the land, its music, and its people. Her journey has not been an easy one; life’s challenges and struggles tested her deeply at emotional extremes. Yet out of those experiences came profound spiritual gifts. Through a powerful spiritually transformative experience, she awakened to the quiet wisdom of nature. Plants and animals now reveal themselves as messengers of healing and guidance, inspiring her to create art and share her gifts that carries their voice to others. Moving from music and teaching into painting, Kati now channels her intuition and synchronicity into works that invite us to remember our own inner truth. Truths born of deep moments of struggle, glimpses of happiness, and ultimate growth, seed who we are in hopes that we recognize our place within the greater web of life, sooner rather than later. We thank Kati for sharing both her art and her story while reminding us that beauty and spiritual awareness often emerge most vividly from life’s hardest journeys. This is the unified voice of our mission at NDERF, and we are grateful to walk it together with all of you. Share your art work, poem, and song.
NDE 101
Researchers often describe near-death experiences (NDEs) in terms of recurring elements which are simply the recurring and consistently reported features that help us understand the nature of these profound events. Broadly, they can be said to fall into three general categories: (1) a sense of separation from the body, (2) movements or encounters with beings and/or landscapes, and (3) the after-effects, which are often life-changing and long-lasting. While not every experiencer reports all of the elements, together they highlight both the perceptions during the NDE and the remarkable transformations that follow.
Another Testament to the Power of NDEs
Focusing on the Transformative Nature of NDEs
Question: Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs?
Answer: Content that was both consistent and not consistent (with my beliefs) "I came out of the experience very happy... my faith became much stronger. I tried to find the good in people, where before I often criticized the bad.
Answer to Another Question: "I am less judgmental of people, more generous, and more deeply spiritual."
NDE Summary Below or Click Link for Full Narrative
NDE SUMMARY: Bryan’s near-death experience came after a fall from a ladder. What he recalls and shares couldn't be more vivid and brief; entering darkness, being greeted by a loving voice, seeing his past, and sensing the presence of others radiating love around him. In those few moments, he touched a peace so profound that his life forever changed. He realized life not only holds purpose but his soul is deeply known and forever cared for. There is no other human phenomenon that can so radically change beliefs and behaviors so quickly; it would seem just a drop of eternity fuels a lifetime of motivation. This is yet another powerful reminder that even brief encounters with what is reported as a spiritual dimension has meaningful and lasting impact that cannot be replicated. It is an inextinguishable living truth because it is continually reborn of direct experiences being heard around the world. The aggregate voices of NDEs serve as a living hope to humanity. It teaches us that the mere awareness of our eternal nature and a loving creator opens hearts, ignites faith, and reorients our lives towards more love and compassion for others.