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5269
qualitative
book
Holden, Janice Miner, et al. The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. Praeger Publishers, 2009, Chapter 5, The NDE of Alice, p. 98.
The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences, The NDE of Alice, Chapter 5, p. 98, 2009
2009
10
F
Alice, age ten, experienced NDE during severe bout of pneumonia, recounted retrospectively to researcher Cherie Sutherland. In era before modern antibiotics, pneumonia was common and often fatal illness particularly for children, making it credible life-threatening crisis. While source text does not provide specific clinical details about severity or treatments received, NDE took place during peak of this dangerous medical condition when she would have been physically weakened, likely experiencing high fever and hypoxia.
Alice's core experience is simple but elegant variation of classic NDE journey. Unlike rapid propelled motion through tunnel, Alice's transition was gentle and serene. She described sensation of "floating through a black area." This floating experience is common description of out-of-body state where consciousness feels detached from physical body and able to move freely. Her journey was into space of darkness, another archetypal feature of initial NDE stages. However, her subjective perception of this dark realm makes account particularly interesting. Instead of void being cold, empty, or frightening, she found it place of immense comfort. She described darkness as "soft, substantial—supportive and cosy." This description personifies void, transforming it from mere absence of light into nurturing protective environment. Experience was not one of fear or loneliness but of safety and security, as if being held or cradled during passage from physical world. Account does not extend beyond this transitional phase; no mention of light, encountering beings, or life review. NDE consists solely of peaceful floating journey through comforting darkness. Details of return to consciousness not provided. This NDE is entirely subjective containing no veridical claims. Retrospective self-report of childhood experience. Value lies in contribution to NDE phenomenology, specifically how "journey through darkness" is perceived. Provides clear example that tunnel or void is not universally experienced as frightening or neutral passage but can be perceived as positive comforting state. This subjective variation highlights role of individual consciousness in shaping emotional tone and texture of NDE.
5
Unknown
3
0
7
Weak Evidence
4
Severe pneumonia is life-threatening illness especially in pre-antibiotic era (2 points). No medical monitoring or sensory barriers documented (0 points). Retrospective report only (1 point). Total: 3 points.
Experience entirely subjective describing feeling of floating through dark area. No veridical claims. Score: 0 points.
written_account
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8/10/2025
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