NOTE: All of these quotes are taken from NDEs at the NDERF.ORG web site.
A "shadow" walked beside me and spoke to me. I don't know who it was, I just saw a "shadow". "It" asked me if I really wanted to "continue". -- Clautreaux
The first time I saw the shadow man was when he came out of the closet (through the closed door no less!) in my bedroom. It was a man and he was quite 3 dimensional, but he had no features - just empty blackness. I remember being terrified and screaming. This would usually bring my parents running. I was (or so I'm told) fairly articulate for a 4 year old and I was able to tell my parents exactly what I saw. They, of course, told me I was having a bad dream as this first experience was at night.
Over the next 2 years this happened rather frequently and it happened night AND day. Usually it was only one shadow person, but sometimes it was more than one. Other than the sheer terror I felt when I saw them, I don't remember them ever having an interest in me or even coming in my direction. They would just go walking through the room, walking VERY slowly. I remember wishing they would move faster! They would usually come through the closet door or through the walls and exit the room through one of the walls. They were not ON the wall like a shadow. They moved through the room like a person. I remember my mom asking me if I knew what or who they were as it became a fight to get me to go to bed at night or even be in my room alone. I told her they were called Lolo's (lowlow's) God knows where I got that name from! We moved from that house and I never saw them again.
One day a few years ago I was telling my Aunt (my mother’s sister) about these shadow men as she apparently had never heard the stories about my experiences when I was little. It turns out she lived in the same room when she was little and she saw them too! She never mentioned it to anyone, but they came out of the closet as well. Oddly enough, she said she remembered Abraham Lincoln living in her closet (with the black coat and black top hat) but she said when I told her of my experience she remembered him to be just a shadow. Her parents were not as understanding as mine so she kept it to herself and she says she remembers she named him Abraham Lincoln so she wouldn't be so scared. -- Steven I
There was a sense of shadows on each side. As I walked along I could feel that others were around me. A shadow separated itself from the darkness at the left of me. I could sense it was a person but could not see or define it. The voice was male and familiar but I could not quite place it. It said," We must hurry!" The shadow indicated that we must walk faster and keep in this path. I could see other shadows flit past us and they had vague outlines. Some were feeling and saying things like " I don't want to do this!" Others were feeling very happy about this walk. Some were eager to go and some reluctant. The ones that worried me most were the misshapen shadows that were downright scared. Those shadows, as I sensed them, seemed to be not very nice or good, I hate to say.
The long tall shape at my side did not indicate any particular feeling except a rush to get to wherever we were walking to. It did not seem to be very long before we could see a light ahead of us. It was then that I recognized we were in a tunnel of some sort. The sides were just not definite or solid seeming. ( Okay. Now remember this. I had never read anything about near death experiences. Had those even been written about in that time period? I do not know. So I was not familiar with the imagery of near death, etc.) The figure at my side began to rush along and hurry me. " Hurry! Hurry! I have to get there."
We got closer and closer to that light. I began to feel warmth and a feeling of being drawn to that warmth. Is it corny to say that I just "knew" that if I could reach that light that everything would be okay. It was everything we love wrapped up into light. It was the feeling of home, family, reassurance and love. It was a feeling of belonging that I have never found since. Then the shadow beside me abruptly stopped. We had not yet reached the end and the light and we stopped. "Why?" I asked. "You have to go back now" the shadowy figure said softly, "You can't stay." I could sense the sadness in having to say this, but it was quickly replaced by joy as the shadow moved forward. I abruptly was awakened in my bed. It was a dream. I could not just dismiss it, though, as I awakened. -- Myra E
It was as if I was in a room w/no lights, sounds or feelings and all of a sudden a white light and a shadow appeared that told me that it was not my time. This happened several times, maybe 5-
The last time it happened I felt "awake" on the OR table- I could hear the nurse and the doctor, the heart machine. I heard a female voice say we're loosing him. Then I felt as if my soul had been grabbed and pulled upwards to the ceiling. I was floating, I tried to look back- but that is not allowed. The sounds of the OR slowly faded- as if someone was turning down the volume control, slowly. I felt scared, but had a strange feeling of comfort or being told to be calm. I went through a dark tunnel where the light slowly became brighter. Then a shadow appeared- an old friend told me that it was not my time and then things went black/gone/etc.
I somehow figured out that the shadow was a friend who died 5 years earlier. I am glad to see that he made it to "heaven", he deserved it. -- Greg
Reaction to insulin blood sugar low...unconscious...cannot move or speak...seeing myself bathing in bright light...surrounded by 12 beings in white garments...I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CIRCLE...i also saw shadow people in the corner of my back yard...they were told that they cannot come near me because I have done 108 good things in my life time.....I AM BACK IN MY BED ROOM LOTS OF THE EMERGENCY PEOPLE SURROUNDING ME...they put me in the ambulance...I HAVE NO PAIN AND I FEEL FINE. -- Atana
I STOPPED FLOATING AT THIS POINT. IT WAS LIKE BEING IN THE BOTTOM OF A WELL LOOKING UP AT THE OPENING AT THE TOP AND WANDERING WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DARK HOLE . WHEN THIS SHADOW APPEARED IT LOOKED LIKE A TALL MAN IN A LONG ROBE WITH LONG SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR ,WITH A MOUSTACHE AND A LONG BEARD. HE BENT DOWN REACHING OUT HIS HAND TO HELP ME OUT OF THIS DARK HOLE. AS HE WAS REACHING HE SAID COME FOLLOW ME. BEING SCARED AND REMEMBERING WHAT MY PARENTS TOLD ABOUT GOING WITH STRANGERS I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND SAID NO.
HE TOLD ME I'M THE ALPHA, AND OMEGA THE BEGINNING AND THE END. AT THIS TIME I COULD SEE SHADOWY PEOPLE SINGING AND LAUGHING GATHERING AROUND THE OPENING OF THIS DARK HOLE I WAS IN SAYING COME ON YOU WILL LIKE IT HERE. I TOLD THIS SHADOWY PERSON WHO SEEMED AT THE TIME TO BE THE SPOKES PERSON OR THE ONE IN CHARGE OF THIS HAPPY GROUP OF PEOPLE IT SEEMS LIKE FUN AND YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME. I STILL DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE. HE TOLD ME YES YOU DO, YOU NEVER MEET ME BUT I KNOW YOUR FAMILY, AND THERE ARE OTHERS FROM YOUR FAMILY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU AND WHO KNOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY VERY WELL. AT THIS TIME MORE PEOPLE STARTED TO SHOW UP TELLING ME THEIR NAMES, AND REASSURING ME THAT THIS BRIGHT LIGHT IS A NICE PLACE TO BE. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY AND ALWAYS BE HEALTHY.
WHEN THEY SAID THAT, I REMEMBERED WHAT I LEARNED IN SUNDAY SCHOOL ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN HEAVEN. THE TALL SHADOWY PERSON WHO APPEARED IN THE BEGINNING TOLD ME THE SAME THING AGAIN, "COME FOLLOW ME." I SAID I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE, MY FAMILY WOULD MISS ME. IT CAN'T BE MY TIME. HE TOLD ME THE THINGS I HOLD TRUE IN MY HEART WILL SEPARATE AND NO LONGER BE AS ONE. HE TOLD ME THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN IN MY LIFE UNTIL I RETURN HERE AGAIN. I STILL TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE WITH MY FAMILY.
A -- Brian L
Note: Before I was presented with the light/presence, I first went through a period of seeing and feeling several strange shadows kind of wrapping themselves around me and over me...suffocating almost. It was very frightening. This is when I began to beg God's forgiveness and mercy -- for I suspected that these "shadow beings" may have meant that I would not be able to go to God -- but that some horrible alternative would take over. -- TO
Kahrhokon: ha (Old Hawk)~ I now follow the ways of the ancients, walk the Medicine Circle, and journey often to the Shadow World in behalf of others~ helping them to understand the journey of death, and to dispel in others the linear nature of fear of death, and instill the faith that what lies ahead is a Sacred Path for all. -- James B
An unseen force, in the form of a shadow, very powerfully and swiftly pulled me back through blurred darkness to my body. My trip to the transcendent Light was in slow motion in comparison with the return trip. As my soul entered the earthly body, which is nothing more than a poor fitting glove, it vibrated. I was momentarily in a state of confusion when I opened my eyes. -- August
to grab me with. It didn't look like a hand but more like a hooded sleeve. The weird thing about my NDE is that I was GIGGLING while trying to slap it away, when I think I should have been scared!! I wasn't scared though. I couldn't get it out of my mind afterwards and was very depressed for months that I was met with a hooded creature. -- Shelly
I was no longer being pulled down the tunnel when I noticed a bunch of dark shadows coming towards me. As the shadows approached they turned into people who were dressed in old fashioned clothing. As the people stood in front of me they began calling out their names. They were relatives from both sides of my family. I didn't recognize any of them because I'd never known anyone who had died before. They were happy and joyful to see me. My relatives talked amongst themselves when two women decided they would walk with me down the tunnel so I wouldn't be scared. The rest of my relatives continued talking to each other as they disappeared into thin air right before my eyes. -- Barbara W
I don't know how I got there but I stood in a huge hall. I could see the forms of people standing around me. I could not see their faces but it seemed like I knew them. I sensed this. The people around me were more like shadow people. I could see their silhouettes. It seemed like I was not “allowed” to see them, directly. The most usual thing about where I was, is that the ceiling was THE NIGHT SKY, with brilliant stars. The floor was like polished marble. Then he comes into the hall and walks straight up to me. I hear him say, "hello, I am the Son of God." From here on out I cannot remember anything else. It is like every thing just cuts off right there. -- Rick R
Out of body experience, soul or spirit made its way through mist and a tunnel. I arrived at the end, facing a solid oak door. Next to the oak door was a spirit, shadow figure who knew me really well. No words were spoken or exchanged. All communication was through mind communication between us. The oak door was opened for me. I peered through. It was a beautiful place with music that sounded peaceful and blissful. I was feeling euphoric and wanted to step through. I was reassured by the spirit to go through the door. "You deserve this. You can go back in any year you wish or into any being." It felt awesome and overwhelming. I was drawn so close to going through, but stopped. A sudden thought came into my mind. I can't leave yet. I have not prepared for this. I have to sort things out for my family. An urgency took over me and the spirit reassured me. It said, "If you want to go back, leave now. But you will have to fight." -- Harry S
I turned around and that's when I saw "the tunnel". It was like the inside of a tornado. It was sucking the light and mist into it at what appeared to be warp speed. I had a feeling of total peace all throughout this experience. I started toward the tunnel in a motion, not like walking, more like floating. It seemed like as soon as I entered the tunnel I was on the other side, that quick ! I noticed the same bright light and mistiness of the surroundings. I also noticed I wasn't alone. It seemed there were dozens of "people" standing in a horseshoe type formation of which I was standing in the center of when I exited the tunnel. I could not recognize anyone because I saw no features, they were more like figures in shadow. -- Kimberly F
Everything went into slow motion during the attack and I "split in two" in that one part of me was conscious, the other was like a separate being, spiritual, but I knew it was my soul. After I was freed from the cage, I lost my ability to see anyone, just grey shadows on a sort of movie screen in front of me. People's feelings and fear (there were perhaps 20 to 30 people there) were palpable, and threatened to carry me away like a tide, if I gave into it. To the right, on that screen, was coolness and peace. To the left, the panic and pain of those around me. One half of me kept telling those around how to treat me (I'm a former EMT & I recognized my voice) the other was fighting the desire to turn toward the right as I believed that if I succumbed, the ranch would be in a lot of trouble and perhaps even sold.
I sensed children there, their "shadows" were more golden and I was ordering people to get them away from the spectacle. The ambulance finally arrived and I was still in this double state, telling them what to do, yet seeing nothing but those grey shadows and the emotions of everyone around, then they said they could handle it and I thought I could then relax and as I did, I was sucked out of my body, tiny enough to still be in the ambulance and finally I could see like normal again. --Kelley W
I was also amazed at how stupid and evil my boyfriend was. This was the second time he had presumably been to Hell and had never changed his path or bad behavior. He once told me, after many drinks, that he had died and seen Hell after being dead for almost 30 minutes. He let his friend inject him with drugs and had died. His friends did CPR for 30 minutes and he suddenly came back to life with no drug aftereffects. What he said was that he went into the light and was sort of in a space with a wonderful presence full of light and love, but he was aware of a shadow lurking “in the corner”, although there was no corner, of course. The light expressed infinite love and acceptance but said he had to measure out how much good and evil he had done in his life. He said his life was sort of a liquid light that was poured into a beautiful vessel of some sort on a scale. The scale measured his good vs. bad actions on earth. It obviously tipped toward bad, because the beautiful being told him that although he always loved him, he had to go with the dark shadow. Then the dark shadow grew huge and covered him, making him terrified. He screamed, “I’m young; I’ll change” and begged to go back. Suddenly he was back in his body and his friends were doing CPR on him. My first question was, “Well, did you change?” He said no, and that’s when I knew I had to get rid of him. Of course, I never dreamed he would lay hands on me, let alone try to kill me. -- Donna
In 1987 during the birth of my son by a student doc...my heart rate dropped to 46 then i went into a tunnel...like the universe..dark shadows are there and it smells like sin, evil, and awful..a light is in the distance I'm getting closer..oh good, soon i will be safe out of this stench...then I'm in front of a table, a higher power is there in front of me. I am a light entity, around me are more, also around me are dark ones, i don't like them. -- Dot
after that I saw two shadow figures at the foot of my bed whispering about how cute I was -- Melissa
IT WAS LIKE A COURT ROOM MADE OF STONE AND THEN IN THE SHADOWS WERE BLACK HOODED ENTITIES. THE LIGHT OF THE FIRE I SEEN WHITE HOODED ONES. IN BETWEEN THE PODIUM WHERE ME AND THE GIRL WERE STANDING, WAS LIKE A PIT OF FIRE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS THE WHITE HOODED ENTITY. I LOOKED ACROSS ON THE OTHER SIDE AT THE WHITE HOODED ENTITY AND THINGS WERE SO BRIGHT. -- Jeremy H
I closed my eyes and felt like I was teleported to another place. I saw shadows of people hovering above me and I felt like I had just been born. And they felt so familiar, like they had anticipated my coming. I didn't know what to expect, but I wasn't scared. In part of me I was asking myself if I wanted to stay there and leave my children behind. But I thought, "I'm not done with my present life yet," and I willed myself to go back. I opened my eyes and saw my mom and sister-in-law. At first I couldn't recognize them, but gradually my senses became more active. I begged for water as if my life depended on it. It was then I understood why Jesus asked for water when he was dying. He was trying to hold on to dear life because his business here wasn't done yet. I also realized then that death can be a choice. -- Ekaterina
I am glad this experience happened to me. I think about it almost daily as I remember my mother who passed. I have seen shadows and felt presences before. I have even seen a large dark hooded figure which scared me growing up. Yet this NDE was amazing and enlightening. I now believe strongly that this physical world is just tangible and it really is just a test of how good of a person we can be. I still question world religions, but I am not scared of death as I was before, I cannot wait to "carry over". -- Matthew B
I sensed that I was in some kind of cave or dark tunnel, and towards the back a small light appeared that grew larger to the degree that my own light grew, and it got nearer, as if it were a reflection of where I should go.
In the darkness there were many shadows of people around me walking without feeling or purpose (like Zombies). I saw on my right a being who didn't show me his face and I thought it was my dead grandfather because of the suit he wore of English cashmere, his cane, and hat that he wore when he was alive. He indicated to me that I shouldn't try to speak with those people because they would pay me no mind. They were in their own unconscious dream walking like robots. This made me sad and feel compassionate towards them. -- Hafur
Suddenly, I was violently sucked in by an uncontrollable force. It felt like it ripped my heart out and it swiftly took me into a dark place. I was in pain and terribly scared: it was some sort of wide-open and unstable abyss, with glowing walls and it was terrifyingly dark. The unpleasant smell of sulfur was making me nauseous' hideous shadows appeared from everywhere and fidgeted in every direction, their moans were dreadful. They were touching me lightly, trying to catch me, to hold me back' I was horrified and my fear was at its worse. Then'. a bright and intense constellation enthralled me. I radiated and was attracted by it. Getting to it seemed to take forever but the closer I got the more I felt free of my torpor by its purifying brightness. I was exhausted'. -- Yvette R
I now see these shadows all over the place at night and little balls of light that fly all over my room. -- Priscilla W