POSITIVE LIVING STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM STUDIES ON NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES

Survivors of near-death experiences and life-threatening illness benefit from openly discussing these events rather than avoiding them. Based on two research studies drawing on nursing, women's health, spirituality, and near-death literature, the article argues that engaging with death and serious illness helps both survivors and professionals make sense of the experience and improve future living and service provision. The key message is the need to "dialogue with death" instead of shunning what is not readily understood.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article addresses the two related issues of near-death experience and life-threatening illness with a view to helping survivors and helping professionals appreciate how to make sense of the experience whilst considering future living and future service provision. The article is based on two related research studies, citing literature from different disciplines of nursing, women’s health, spirituality and near death. This research was undertaken in the light of these experiences affecting so many aspects of life and living. The need to “dialogue with death” (Easwaran, 2008: Foreword) and life-threatening illness is the key message as opposed to shunning what is not readily understood and appreciated