[Book Reviews] [Review of the book Consciousness beyond life: The science of the near-death experience, by P. van Lommel].
The Journal of near-death studies January 1, 2010 Dan Punzak
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are not hallucinations or psychiatric events but appear to be a genuine phenomenon that challenges current scientific assumptions about consciousness. The book reviews evidence from prospective studies showing that NDEs occur during cardiac arrest when the brain is clinically dead, yet patients report vivid, structured experiences with clear memories. These findings suggest consciousness may function independently of brain activity, raising questions about the nature of mind and reality. The author argues that NDEs indicate a nonlocal aspect of consciousness that continues after physical death, supported by cases of verified perception during out-of-body episodes.