Lessons from the Light: What We Can Learn from the Neardeath Experience

I have read a number of works on NDEs and I read Dr. Ring's "Heading Toward Omega" when it was first published. As a clergy person that often ministers to the dying and their families the information shared in "Lessons from the Light" can be helpful within the context of the religious tradition one serves in. Of course, since all of these people came back to this life we cannot generalize about post-mortum existence. However, the compelling information about NDEs will give believers and non-believers an opportunity to reflect on the direction of their lives, the goal of their lives and what really matters in their lives. For the religious/spiritual person such accounts tend to strengthen that deep interior expereince of the Holy One in our midst. For those that deny spiritual existence of any kind the NDE of so many people can at least provoke a willingness to rethink things. Dr. Ring gives us much to pray, think and talk about. I am grateful for his efforts.

I have read many books re: NDE's during the past couple of months, and I must say that this is one of the best! Since I have not experienced an NDE myself, I was taken in by Dr. Ring's discussions about how we "non-NDE'rs" can take the information gleaned from experiencers to change our lives for the better. The idea of being able to benefit from these experiences without actually having to go through one yourself is wonderfully insightful! This is the first book I've come across that not only suggests that we can all benefit from the NDE's of others, but takes it a step further to suggest excercises that will help us to achieve this. I am currently working on some of these excercises, and have already noticed a change in how I communicate with others - I'm hoping that as I practice more, these positive changes will become a habit. Overall, I think this book is a "must read" for anyone interested in NDE's.

Kenneth Ring has written a masterpiece on Near Death Experiences of many people during the course of his research (he is one of the leading researchers in the field). This book should be read by everyone, and especially those interested in the afterlife/NDE, spirituality, and metaphysics. When reading this book, those knowledgeable about these subjects will find a common thread by other authors/books and a beter understanding and substantiation will result. Other authors/books for those on the spiritual path are:- Sri Chinmoy (all his books, especially "Meditation") ; "KYBALION" - by Three Initiates ; "The Secret Life of Nature" - by Peter Tompkins ; "The Mystic Path"- by Raymund Andrea ; "The Wisdom of the Mystic Masters"-by Joseph Weed ; "Journey of Souls" and "Destiny of Souls"- by Michael Newton ; and "Life between Life"-by Joel Whitton.

I have read all Ken Ring's books. I heartily disagree with the contentious and disagreeable first review on this page. The research being mostly "phenomenological" is of course going to disturb the so-called scientific "purists" statistical nerds. The notion that the reporting of these experiences works as a virus and infects the reader is apt and not lunatic, people are reporting that the book has profoundly affectd them. The personal stories are riveting and interesting. Even if the experience of an NDE or OOBE happens because of the release of certain "molecules of the mind" so what? Whatever influences us poor peons to experience and understand our "bliss" is valuable. It is not lunatic fringe except to those who are scared of it.