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4839
Simon Bown, Verified Near Death Experiences, Chapter 13: From the Spider's Sting to the Ocean of Souls, Ryan McCully, pp. not specified, 2025
34
Moderate Evidence
8
Low Compatibility
Ocean of souls, reincarnation themes
This experience contains some biblical elements including out-of-body perception, heightened spiritual awareness, encountering deceased relatives (grandmother), and receiving knowledge beyond normal means. The ability to perceive spiritual realities and observe events while physically unconscious could align with biblical accounts of spiritual visions. The message from the deceased grandmother about grief, while touching, reflects ongoing concern for living relatives which appears in some biblical contexts.
However, the experience contains significant non-biblical elements that are concerning from a Christian perspective. The "ocean of souls" moving between Earth for "new journeys" and returning from their "last life" strongly suggests reincarnation, which directly contradicts biblical teaching of one life followed by judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The concept of souls choosing whether to go to Earth or return implies pre-existence and multiple incarnations. The vast spiritual space with souls moving through "pulsing energy fields" reflects New Age concepts rather than biblical depictions of the afterlife. The absence of God, Christ, angels, or any biblical framework for the spiritual realm is notable. The experience seems more aligned with Eastern religious or New Age philosophies than Christian theology.
Ryan McCully developed dangerous abscesses from a poisonous spider bite requiring emergency surgery. After examination and testing, doctors confirmed the severity and immediately prepared him for surgery to remove the infected tissue. As anesthesia took effect while lying on the gurney looking at ceiling lights, Ryan slipped into unconsciousness during the procedure.
During his experience, Ryan found himself in a vast spiritual space viewing an endless shimmering ocean of souls stretching in every direction. The souls moved elegantly within a pulsing energy field, some heading to Earth for new journeys while others returned from their last life. He could distinctly perceive each individual soul - when focusing on one woman in her fifties, she turned to face him with kindness, exchanging understanding nods. He observed distinct levels including areas of purposeful activity and realms radiating intense peaceful light. A strong feeling emerged that while staying was an option, returning was the right decision. Visions of his family appeared, making him realize his return wasn't just about his journey but about their lives too. While out of body, Ryan witnessed his girlfriend in the hospital waiting room talking with his aunt about her mother's manipulative use of scripture. His aunt advised her to study the Bible herself to quote parts back. Ryan observed and mentally commented on the conversation, agreeing with his aunt's advice. He noted specific details about the waiting room including chair arrangement, TV position, and that only half the lights were on because his aunt had complained about brightness. The memories initially remained hazy until weeks later when his girlfriend mentioned the same topic. Ryan interrupted, exactly quoting his aunt's advice about studying the Bible. His girlfriend's shocked expression confirmed he couldn't have known this - the conversation occurred while he was unconscious in surgery. Ryan also received a message from his deceased grandmother for his aunt about not spending nights crying in grief, which his aunt confirmed was her secret behavior. |