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4955
qualitative
book
Morse and Perry, Transformed by the Light, James, 2012
Transformed by the Light, James, Chapter 1, 2012
2012
9
M
James, a Black teenager from East St. Louis projects, nearly drowned at age nine or ten in a pool. Unable to swim, he was in the shallow area with cousins when he suddenly went under. After struggling to breathe, he gave up and thought he was dreaming. He could see himself from outside his body, initially feeling scared before floating into a safe, bright, peaceful place. During the experience, he had a profound realization that racial differences don't exist - "there ain't no black and there ain't no white." He saw a bright light containing all colors and recognized it as containing everything good. His mother pulled him from the pool and lifeguards revived him. He embarrassed his mother by crying that he saw her remove him from the pool. At home, he described leaving his body and the rainbow revelation in the light, but his mother scolded him not to "talk that trash." The experience immediately changed him - he quit associating with friends becoming involved in drug dealing and became serious about school. Eight years later, he remains focused on education despite peer pressure toward gang violence and drugs. He believes God took him from his body to show him that life is not to be played with and that he needs to better himself rather than end up in gang violence and poverty.
5
Other
7
10
25
Suggestive Evidence
8
Near drowning, unconscious, required lifeguard resuscitation
OBE with accurate observation of rescue, profound racial unity insight
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8/2/2025
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