Lessons from the Light: What Near-Death Experiences Teach Us about Living in the Here and Now
AUTHOR: Kenneth Ring, PhD (and Evelyn Elsaesser Valarino)
PUBLISHED: 1998, 2006, 2024
MY COMMENTS:
This book was a delightful surprise. Why a surprise, I have no idea, since I’d seen it recommended by multiple credible sources before I finally acquiesced and got hold of it. Duh.
Having now read it, I get it. It’s not just that it focuses on something that’s always fascinating … near-death experiences (NDEs) … but it’s the unusual angle it takes to do so.
First, what’s a near-death experience?
NDEs are being talked about more and more, so many of you may already be familiar with them … those experiences when a person physically “dies” but instead of checking out, goes on an amazing and inexplicable adventure to the Other Side, and then returns to their body before the headstone is ordered.
I know, crazy, right? If this concept is new to you, you may want to read a post I wrote awhile back about NDEs, when I introduced a new favourite book of mine that had just been released on the subject … “After” by Bruce Greyson, MD.
“After” presents the results of Greyson’s 45 years of research into NDEs and the significant learnings this research revealed. A superb book I continue to highly recommend. (You can also check out this podcast in which Greyson is interviewed about the subject.)
Yeah, but what’s THIS book about?
So, in “Lessons from the Light,” author Kenneth Ring, PhD tackles this same topic, but from a somewhat different and intriguing angle.
As opposed to focusing on what we’ve learned about NDEs, Ring homes in on what NDE experiencers have learned from them … the life-changing lessons they’re shown during their brief stopover to the Other Side.
And then, most importantly, he tackles how you and I can make use of these significant learnings in our lives right here, right now. Without having to go through that pesky almost-dying step to find out for ourselves. Always a bonus.
When this book was first published in 1998, the “near-death experience” was very much a new concept and an emerging field of study. So, Ring begins by laying required groundwork for the reader, starting with a more comprehensive answer to what the heck an NDE is, something he does very effectively through fascinating and rich examples presented in the opening chapter.
He then presents evidence to quiet the critics, showing the NDE is an authentic phenomenon … one that truly reveals the existence of something “more.” Something that can turn lives around.
To do so, he reaches into uncommon territory, such as NDEs had by children … and infants … and by people who are blind yet experience sight.
And then the book delves into its main mission, which is to illustrate how we can incorporate into our own lives the profound life lessons brought back by those who’ve returned with insights to share.
Like what, you may ask?
My Favourite – The Life Review
My favourite lesson covered in the book is the life review … an experience at death that is very commonly reported.
It’s said to involve not just a review, but a reliving, of all aspects of our life.
And here’s the key, the reliving experience isn’t carried out from only our perspective. No, apparently it also includes a reliving of these events … and their consequences … from the perspective of those affected by them.
Take a moment to let that sink in … yikes!
Yes, there’s much to learn from the life review. In fact, Ring describes it as the “ultimate teaching tool” and delves very deeply into it … more than I’ve come across in any other source.
Other lessons are explored
That’s just one of the lessons Ring shares. There are other significant learnings that also seem to arise consistently in reports from those who have had an NDE. He delves into them all, again emphasizing what we can do to learn from them in this life.
Who is Kenneth Ring?
There are two authors listed, but this is clearly the book of Kenneth Ring, PhD … a well-known, highly esteemed researcher and author in this field.
Ring’s credentials are extensive and he’s regarded by many as the “Dean of NDE Researchers.” He’s Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Connecticut, co-founder and past president of the International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS), and founding editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies.
Ring clearly has a scientific mind which he applies to his research, but it’s thankfully not evident in his writing style. Far from being sterile, his writing is “sophisticated,” even a bit flowery. To be honest, it took a bit of getting used to, but I found I did, and even began to appreciate it.
The “2024 Update” – Terminal what … ??
Though originally published over 25 years ago, this book has remained a significant work that continues to attract readers. Um, me, for example ….
So, Ring decided to add an update just last year to introduce a new development in this growing field of research, describing it as …
“… one of the most exciting of these new areas of research that, when it becomes better known, is sure to intrigue and dazzle many readers.”
A sneak peek …
The phenomenon he’s referring to, which he describes in the book’s new final chapter, is that of terminal lucidity.
And he’s right … it IS mind-blowing.
Briefly, terminal lucidity is “a sudden and unexpected period of mental clarity and energy that can occur in people with severe neurological or psychiatric conditions shortly before death.”
In other words, the person’s been “out of it” for an extended period, unaware of reality around them, perhaps in coma, perhaps with dementia … maybe for years.
Suddenly, they perk up and become completely lucid for a short period of time. They have animated, meaningful conversations with their loved ones, recognizing all the kids and grandkids once more.
Then within hours, maybe days, they’ve checked out again … but this time, for good.
Yup, mind-blowing, for sure.
It’s an interesting addition to the book and I look forward to exploring this phenomenon further as more research into it is undertaken and published.
Bottom line?
This book is full of significant, thought-provoking insights from the Other Side, and guidance for applying them on this side.
Though they come primarily from Ring’s observations and analysis, there are also nuggets to be found in the many personal accounts included from the NDE experiencers themselves.
Let me close with one such nugget that caught my attention, one I felt described the ultimate purpose of life …
“God told me there are only two things that we could bring back with us when we died … LOVE and KNOWLEDGE …. So I was to learn as much about both as possible.” (pg. 296)
Wow, that kind of nets it out, doesn’t it?
But, hey, maybe your attention will be snagged by something else. If you feel drawn, check it out and see what speaks to you.
Post Script … an intriguing side note
You may remember me talking in previous posts about Suzanne Giesemann … the retired-US-Navy-Commander-turned-world-renowned-medium. (See Mediumship – For the Left-Brained.) Well, author Kenneth Ring recently presented her with an intriguing, and I’d say rather unexpected, question.
He asked … “What do your spirit guides have to say about the afterlife?”
Really?? He’s a scientist, remember. So, yeah, from my perspective that’s a pretty cool question.
Giesemann had to admit she’d never asked. She’s hung up on only communicating with Spirit if it brings forth evidence someone can corroborate, and, well, just how would one corroborate a description of the afterlife?
However, given the source of the request, she agreed to try. And when she did, she received an amazing download from her spirit team, who made it clear they knew Ring was the one doing the asking. She transcribed it and forwarded it on to him.
The scientist’s reaction … ?
“I don’t think I have ever read a more astonishing document, addressed to me, in my life. I am somewhere between awe and amazed.”
If you’re interested in this glimpse into the afterlife, it’s easy to check out. The transcript is included in Giesemann’s free e-book, “Awakening.”
Let’s Share
Have you, or anyone you know, had a near-death experience? Have you found changes in your life from it, or from simply learning about NDEs? I’d love to hear more. Please share in the Comments below.
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