Carsen Grave

Download

Download Full Text (662 KB)

Description

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are vivid, often transformative recollections of the dying process. Up to 23 percent of surviving critical patients and as many as 88 percent of lucid individuals on their deathbeds report such experiences. Most of these narratives describe an encounter with a radiant “Being of Light,” a godlike figure associated with profound and lasting improvements in well-being and spiritual outlook. Philosopher Raymond Moody introduced a systematic framework for NDEs in his 1975 book Life After Life, where he first labeled and popularized this figure. Since then, scholars have debated whether Moody’s framework described actual experiences or shaped how they are recalled, raising the question of whether NDE content is universal or culturally influenced. This historical presentation contributes to that discussion by comparing American NDE accounts and popular media depictions of the Being of Light before and after Moody’s publication. While terminology has changed over time, core portrayals of the Being of Light—depicted as loving, wise, telepathic, and overseeing a Life Review—have remained strikingly consistent. This suggests that NDEs contain universal features that are not shaped by cultural influences. The Being continues to serve as a powerful cultural symbol for love, knowledge, and hope.

Publication Date

6-11-2025

Document Type

Poster

City

Grand Forks, ND

Keywords

Near-Death Experience, Being of Light, God, religion, death and dying

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2025 Arts & Sciences UNDergraduate Showcase in Grand Forks, ND, May 8, 2025.

Radiant Love and Knowledge: Near-Death Experiences in Modern America

Share

COinS