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Alexander E III. Near-Death Experiences: The Mind-Body Debate. Missouri Medicine 2015;112(4):289-294
Missouri Medicine Vol 112 No 4 Chapter 11 Pages 289-294 2015
2008
2015
54
M
Dr. Eben Alexander III, a neurosurgeon with over 20 years experience, awoke on November 10, 2008 with severe back pain and the worst headache of his life, rapidly descending into a week-long coma from E. coli meningoencephalitis. His CT scans revealed global neocortical involvement with all eight brain lobes affected. By day three, his CSF protein was 1,340 mg/dl, white cell count 4,300 per mm3, and glucose down to 1.0 mg/dl. His survival probability dropped from 10% to 2% by day seven, when physicians recommended terminating antibiotics.
His NDE began in a murky, unresponsive realm he called the Earthworm's Eye View, which he believes represented the limited consciousness his damaged brain could muster. A spinning white light with perfect musical melody opened like a rip in that realm, leading to an ultra-real Gateway Valley filled with colors beyond the normal spectrum, eternally growing plants, sparkling waterfalls, and dancing souls. He had no body but moved as awareness on a butterfly wing accompanied by millions of butterflies and a beautiful woman who communicated unconditional love telepathically, assuring him he was loved and had nothing to fear. He experienced realms where communication transcended language, occurring through direct knowing. He arrived at the Core - infinite inky blackness filled with Divine unconditional love and brilliant light from an orb brighter than a million stars. Through wordless flow, he learned about consciousness's fundamental role in existence, the physical realm as soul school, and the connectedness of all beings. A voice told him he would return, though having lost all earthly memories, he didn't understand what that meant. He miraculously recovered over eight weeks, regaining all knowledge and neurosurgical expertise. Four months later, he discovered his butterfly wing companion was his deceased birth sister he'd never known, who died before he knew of her existence. This revelation confirmed the reality of his journey, leading him to conclude consciousness is not created by the brain but exists independently, with the brain serving as a reducing valve or filter.
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Hospital
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80
Exceptional Evidence
20
Severe E. coli meningoencephalitis with week-long coma, extensive cortical damage documented by CT, CSF findings, 2% survival probability, miraculous recovery
Encounter with previously unknown deceased birth sister later verified through family records
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Severe meningoencephalitis, global cortical involvement
Multiple physicians
7/30/2025
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