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2 | ~~ Full List of Speakers and Abstracts as of 8/30/2011 ~~ | ||
3 | Alphabetical order by last name. | ||
4 | The following speakers and topics are tentative and subject to change. | ||
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6 | Alexander | Eben Alexander - Childhood's End | Sunday |
7 | Those who have been through Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), family members who have witnessed profound events during the passing of a loved one, and those who have sensed the soul of the departed communicating with them are all helping to deliver a miraculous gift to the world. So are those who study and analyze these experiences. An unprecedented gift! The treasure trove of these combined experiences is helping to elevate human conscious awareness to an unprecedented level, to send us beyond a tipping point, towards a global awakening to the profound nature of our shared human existence. . We stand at a crossroads. These remarkable stories of individual experience, often directly contradicting accepted "common sense" and the world-view offered by a secular civilization and some elements of the scientific community, are reaching a critical mass that can no longer be summarily dismissed by rationale, thoughtful people at large. There are millions who have had first hand experience with these phenomena, and have kept it to themselves, out of fear of being labeled "mentally unstable". In fact, I suspect that a large proportion of people alive today know at some level that there really is something to all of this! . The gift we bring is the birthright of every human being who has ever lived, or will live, on earth. It is a reawakening to the profound nature of our conscious existence. That reawakening is intimately entangled with realizing the eternity of our souls and the intimate, direct and eternal connection each and every one of us has with that creative primary omnipotent loving Source (God, by most definitions) at the core of the Universe. The gift is one of truth, and will come from probing the depths of our own conscious awareness, and from becoming one with the Divine. It is of knowing that we are one with each other, and with the eternal loving Creator of the universe. It is of feeling the bliss of that unconditional love, during our lives here on earth. | Keynote | |
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9 | Anderson | Robert Anderson - No Explanation Necessary: Using NDEs to Inform Medical Education and Help Dying Companions | Saturday |
10 | Being with those who have gone through near death experiences is often a catalyst for a wider perspective of dying and the existence of human consciousness beyond the physical body. This wider perspective for the speaker began during his graduate student days at the University of Chicago with Dr. Elisabeth Kübler Ross, expanded through his association with John Audette, and found expression in clinical work with dying companions. The lecture will discuss how NDEs influenced the speaker's clinical approaches with dying patients and with his work in high intensity situations during his twenty year military career. There will be a description of specific approaches use by the speaker with the dying and the deployed military along with the sharing the lessons he has learned by being with remarkable people in exceptional situations. | Concurrent | |
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12 | Atwater | P.M.H. Atwater - NDE as a Threshold Experience | Sunday |
13 | I am convinced the near-death experience is not some kind of anomaly, but, rather, part of the larger genre of transformations of consciousness. The clue most researchers and experiencers miss is stress; specifically the intensity which comes from that stress (known ins shamanism as "high stress"). The entire pattern of aftereffects and the degree to which people change, can be traced to that factor. It's the intensity that shifts us into what is called a "threshold experience" -- one that straddles the boundary between this world and other worlds, between brain and that which lies beyond what the brain can access, between reality and miracles, mind and spirit, life and death, heaven and hell, sanity and insanity. Once we understand this shift, everything else makes sense. At the threshold of who we think we are and what lies beyond body and brain, is the core to the most ancient of mysteries. We are transformed by the Oneness we find there. | Concurrent | |
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16 | Bush | Nancy Evans Bush - Finding Words: Interventions in Distressing Near-Death Experiences. | Sunday |
17 | Nurses in end-of-life settings wonder how to respond when dying patients show signs of having a horrifying deathbed vision. EMTs feel helpless in the face of obvious terror with no visible source. Family members panic themselves when a seriously ill or dying loved one cries out in great fear, “They’re after me! Help me!” Based on ancient spiritual principles and modern psychological practices, this presentation offers suggestions for what nurses and other caregivers can do and say to offer calm or even rescue when confronted by a patient who is likely to have had a distressing near-death experience, or who may be experiencing one at the time. | Concurrent | |
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19 | Coppes | Christophor Coppes - Lives changed; the world changed | Saturday |
20 | NDEs don't only change the lives of those who have the NDE, but they also have, in principle, the potential to change the world at large. This is because they hold messages for everyone. From NDEs we understand that we are part of a Unity Universe, which surpasses our material four-dimensional world. In it we are thoroughly interconnected. Whatever we do, it has an effect on the rest of unity universe. All our actions, even the seemingly insignificant ones, ripple through universe. Through this we have a creative but also a potentially destructive power within us. For instance, the Great Recession, which still affects especially the US, Europe and Japan, can be seen as the consequence of the many negative ripples that we caused by focusing on our short-term self-interest. Therefore, it is best for us to change our focus towards a longer-term "our-interest". This is the most important message that can be derived from NDEs. The change of focus would really change the world. This would mean a next step in our human development. The way to do it is by becoming more aligned with The Light. These are extraordinary times and many NDErs are convinced that we will eventually succeed in realizing that change and that we are destined for a more wonderful world, materially as well as spiritually. | Plenary | |
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22 | Elmore | Kathleen Elmore - NDE After-Effects: Transformation and Shared Transformation | Friday |
23 | I had an NDE in 1993 which was unlike anything I’ve ever heard or read about. No tunnel, no loved ones, and a life review that occurred just minutes BEFORE the NDE. Six months later, I had a full-blown kundalini awakening (not an uncommon event after an NDE). Like many NDEr’s, I have a number of residual effects, such as: can’t wear a watch, no fear of death, greater capacity to love, see the bigger picture. However, one of the unusual after-effects is this: when I share my story with others (I speak in front of groups and at workshops), many people are changed just by hearing about the experience. I received many gifts from my NDE - one of which is clairvoyance - so I actually see this occurring. People are not only moved by the story, they are changed by hearing it, and this becomes a “Shared Transformation.” They feel the transformation and unconditional love that I experienced within themselves. At times it has a profound effect, creating a shift in personal values and spiritual purpose, a Spiritually Transformative Experience. How many NDEr’s have this unique ability and don’t know it? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they did? | Panel | |
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25 | Flanagan | Cate Flanagan - Examining the Aftereffects of NDEs, and the Relationship Between NDE Components and Aftereffects | Friday |
26 | This presentation will detail the aftereffects of near-death experiences as reported by 14 adult near-death experiencers. Additionally, an initial examination of the relationships between experience components and aftereffects as well as the relationships between and among aftereffects will be presented. In an effort to preserve the sanctity of the individual experience at the time of death and the resulting growth from such an experience a qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze data. Seventeen change categories will be presented as well as the beginning of a relational model between and among components and aftereffects will be offered. | Concurrent | |
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28 | Gopalakrlshnan | T. C. Gopalakrlshnan - On the Spiritual Content of Near Death Experiences | Friday |
29 | The ancient seers of humanity have given expression to the features of universal spirituality. Some of these find a place in the narration of those that go through NDE. The present lecture will focus on the parallels between the above two. In that effort, a cosmological explanation from the Sankhya philosophy of ancient India will be exposed to the participants. Pointers from the Bhagavad Gita will be cited. Statements from Krishna, Jesus Christ and others will be quoted. Such features as Timelessness, Advaita (Non-dualism) and Reincarnation will be looked into.Suggestions will be put forth on how the knowledge of the above can help the NDEer (and all people in general) towards adjusting themselves to this worldly life. | Concurrent | |
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31 | Greyson | Bruce Greyson - IANDS at 30: Still Crazy After All Those Years | Saturday |
32 | The founders of IANDS three decades ago could not have imagined how the organization has evolved, nor how the public has come to embrace NDEs as normal experiences that occur under abnormal circumstances. Over those decades, the accumulated research findings have also changed the way the medical profession regards near-death experiencers. Research on NDEs and their aftereffects shows the degree to which near-death experiencers are in touch with reality, as well as the degree to which neuroscientific models of consciousness are in touch with reality. | Keynote | |
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34 | Hill | Sheryl Hill - After Death Communication – Walking on Sunshine, NRG | Sunday |
35 | A 16 year old son’s heart stops half a world away. His mother and his little brother receive communication that he isn’t going to make it. His heart was resuscitated. However, at the exact time his mother ‘got the message’ the child became brain dead. He was removed from life support a few days later. I am the mother. Tyler’s glorious soul continues to reach me in ADCs with messages about the next life, guiding me in an out of body experience that left me heavy and unable to move, providing answers to questions, guidance and love. Raised by a Pentecostal Baptist mother, my experience left me frightened and feeling, candidly, out of my mind. Today, I know, I know, conscious awakening. In this scary journey, IANDS and IANDS members provided a safe, healing and understanding harbor welcoming my reality. | Panel | |
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37 | Holden | Janice Holden & Tracy Goza - Results of an Online Study of Combat NDEs | Saturday |
38 | Since near-death experiences (NDEs) became a focus of research in 1975, relatively little has been written about combat NDEs. We conducted an online survey of military personnel who reported having survived a close brush with death during active military duty. We found their responses on the NDE Scale (Greyson, 1984) and the Life Changes Inventory – Revised (Greyson & Ring, 2004) were similar in some ways and dissimilar in others to responses of NDErs from a variety of near-death circumstances who had participated in previous studies. Our results revealed some confirming and some new data regarding spiritual aftereffects and disclosure of NDEs – information that may help healthcare professionals better understand and respond helpfully to combat NDErs. | Concurrent | |
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40 | Katra | Jane Katra - Developing Healing Power: Awakening Higher Vibration | Friday |
41 | The Science of Consciousness from India tells us that humans are incomplete, we do not die, and that we’re here to evolve as fields of conscious awareness advancing in complexity, capacities, and energetic power. Neuroscience gives corroborating evidence for the neuroplasticity of our brains, demonstrating changes in neuron density correlated with changes in a person’s environment as well as with willful changes in the content of ones mind. Parapsychological research and quantum physics give evidence for our capacity for psychic functioning and our nonlocal (nonphysical) nature. Many NDErs discover they have developed capacities for telepathic communication, precognition, and energy healing, as well as a shift in values towards resonance, cooperation, sharing, and helping. NDErs have directly experienced a state of conscious awareness of being connected to all forms of life. NDErs’ shift in values towards sensing BEING coherently connected, and feeling the connection’s blissful higher vibrational state accompanied by enhanced psychic sensitivity and capacity for radiating healing energy, demonstrate qualities of a more advanced species of human. | Concurrent | |
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43 | Lanier | Lynnie Lanier - The NDE Brings Joy and Challenges; Both Bring Transformation | Sunday |
44 | The NDE brings joy and challenge, and both lead to transformation. The positive aftereffects can lead to a greater sense of self, the divine, and an experience of other worlds. The challenges, as they are integrated, can lead to a life of continual refinement of consciousness. These transformations are viewed from the perspectives of spirituality, science, and a personal near-death experience of the transcendent type. | Concurrent | |
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46 | Liester | Mitch Liester - Electromagnetic Phenomena Following NDE | Saturday |
47 | Abstract available later | Poster | |
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49 | Macartney, Elke | Elke Siller Macartney - Calling the Soul Home: Cross-cultural perspectives of NDE as Life Initiation | Sunday |
50 | Cross-cultural exploration and comparison of the NDE to indigenous, tribal cultures, as well as religious cultures’ use of the initiation process. In both the NDE and a life-changing initiation, a person as initiate goes through similar processes: separation from community, intense close-to-death experience, and finally, a return to the community, now radically changed. The after-effects of post-initiation compared with post-NDE will be examined, n tribal societies, the initiated person is welcomed into the society with a new role or purpose, and the support to carry on as a valued member of the community In western communities, however, there is no sense of tribal or community support to “welcome” the person back to the world, so the after affects can be dramatic and traumatic: disassociation from life before the NDE, loneliness and separation from the society, questioning of a person’s role in life, new senses to contend with, and more. It is incumbent upon the community to truly see the ND experiencer as a person who has gone through an intense and worthy initiation, and has gifts to bear, and a purpose to serve. An exploration of integration back into society and life will be explored, as well as strategies to welcome the soul “home” to the earth plane. | Concurrent | |
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52 | Macartney, Jim | Jim Macartney - Experience The NDE Without Having To Die | Sunday |
53 | The depth and quality of NDE research over the last decades makes it ideal for bringing into coherence the emerging paradigm embracing our nonlocal consciousness. Like Copernicus tossing the earth from the center of the universe, the NDE helps shape a cognitively based map of consciousness that can be visualized, verbalized, tested, and directly experienced. These are the elements necessary to sketch in the emerging paradigm. The NDE maps a Spectrum of Consciousness, painting a visual relationship between consciousness and the objective, materialistic understanding of psychological/physical states. The model will be compared with Maslow’s insights, especially his last two year’s work with transpersonal states of being; with Spiritual Transformative Experiences / Extraordinary Human Experiences, as well as the new research demonstrating how some transform through crisis of any kind—and who exhibit very similar traits to those of integrated NDErs. The miracle of birth mirrors the miraculous nature of death. When we let go to this realization, we will more easily release to our fully creative Selves in everyday life. Practice, validation, testing, and therapeutic uses of the NDE derived model are discussed. | Concurrent | |
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55 | Mays | Robert and Suzanne Mays - A Theory of Physical Interaction in NDE that Explains NDE Aftereffects | Friday |
56 | We present a theory of consciousness that the human being consists of a non-material mind united with the brain. This theory is based on evidence of physical interactions in NDE, which shows (1) how the non-material mind can interact with neural structures in the cortex, (2) how the non-material mind can interact with physical processes during an NDE and (3) how specific NDE aftereffects can be explained, such as anomalous electromagnetic interactions, physiological sensitivities and paranormal abilities. We also address how the non-material mind, as the seat of consciousness of a person, resolves the “hard problem” of consciousness and how the mind is fundamentally “localized”, but also possesses “non-local” properties. | Concurrent | |
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58 | Moody | Raymond Moody - Shared Death Experiences: New horizons of rational study of the afterlife | Friday |
59 | This lecture presents a phenomenology of shared death experiences demonstrating an uninterrupted continuum with near-death experiences. The identity in content between these two modes of experience poses a major difficulty for popular neurophysiological explanations. An entirely new means of rational investigation is briefly described that accesses the transcendent aspect of experiences related to death and dying. | Keynote | |
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61 | Naskov | Julijan Naskov & Igor Poje - NDEs and Decisions at End of Life | Saturday |
62 | People in coma, agony or terminal stage of illness will take the decision when they will die if we offer them this option. With this option, we let dying people today easy and avoid “agony “ include “spirit phenomena”. Dying people must understand, if they are not aware of that, they will die and they also should accept their responsibility. Before death, the consciousness of dying people is in high level and they have the option to send a message. We must learn to listen to dying people and also accept their message: I will die. The mistake of people around dying people is not accepting the message from the dying person: I will die soon. | Concurrent | |
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64 | Olsen | Scott Olsen - NDEs and Self-transformation: Life-Changing Illumination as Humanity’s Ultimate Goal | Sunday |
65 | The Near-Death Experience often results in a powerful, life-changing transformation of consciousness. This metamorphosis of “Self” occurs as former notions of ego or self are dissolved into an integrated, wiser and more virtuous sense of Self. Such transformative after-effects are profound, long-lasting, and may well be a stage in the fulfillment of one’s ultimate destiny. I propose a philosophical framework in which NDEs and their transformative consequences are understood as special limiting cases of the ultimate human experience of Enlightenment, Samadhi, or Illumination. My primary concern is with the Knowledge aspect, or the limiting case of Omniscience. I will focus on the experiences of Tom Sawyer, Olaf Sunden, and others whose consciousness was forever transformed. The philosophical framework will stress three factors: (1) The underlying alchemical, transformative nature of all life and consciousness. (2) David Bohm’s view that “the entire Universe is enfolded into each part.” (3) The fractalized, self-similar patterns present at all levels and scales, allow for a resonance to occur, in which the individual can be in “attunement” with the “Wisdom of the All.” Together these three factors allow for a life-changing Transformation, Metamorphosis or Illumination of Consciousness, that well may be the ultimate goal of humanity. | Plenary | |
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67 | Punzak | Dan Punzak - Shamanic Abilities as a Result of Being Near Death | Saturday |
68 | Although NDEs and their aftereffects often seem to come from modern studies, shaman (also called medicine men or native healers) have had similar experiences for thousands of years. Many shaman appear to have paranormal abilities and I argue that these are an aftereffect of their NDE or NDE-like experience. This does not preclude their having to undergo a long period of training under a veteran shaman. I will describe the types of NDEs or NDE-like experiences they undergo and some of their healing and other abilities that resulted. Among the abilities are traveling out of body and healing by means of “soul retrieval.” Also discussed will be methods shaman use to induce altered states of consciousness, which are often necessary to implement their various abilities. | Concurrent | |
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70 | Redington-Gibens | Theresa Redington-Gibens - Using a GPS on Your NDE | Friday |
71 | This presentation’s main concept is to not just identify an after effect following an NDE but, demonstrate methods by which someone can positively direct the features of an after effect. NDEs are varied just as much as the potency of these after effects. Although covering all aspects of an NDE and its management is close to impossible. The continued pursuit of other suggestions can help in alleviating isolation of the individual and reaffirming mental stability. Suggestions are simple to apply but have a far reaching effect. I also hope to help those who have not had an NDE to better understand some of the burdens an experiencer must carry for the rest of their natural life. These suggestions are key in bringing under control some of the after effects, whether they are classified as good or bad. | Concurrent | |
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73 | Schwartzer | Joseph Schwartzer - Love to Change the World | Sunday |
74 | Autobiographical account of a possible near death event in myself as a newborn followed by some out of body experiences with some NDE elements during childhood and adolescence including a visit to a heavenly park like place. This was followed by the personal discovery of love energy in early adulthood which I began sending out to others with positive effects on them and on myself. The effects on myself included becoming aware of the presence of God and increased ESP and healing abilities, although not to the point of becoming a psychic or a healer. I will discuss the way I discovered the love energy and methods I use to send it out to others in the hope that others will be able to duplicate my experience by practicing these techniques. I will then discuss my belief that becoming a channel for sending out love energy can eventually transform one into a being of light and that if everyone were to start sending out love energy it would transform humankind and the world. | Panel | |
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76 | Stout | Yolaine Stout - Issues of Spiritually Transformative Experience: Integration – New Results from ACISTE surveys | Saturday |
77 | The Spiritually Transformation Experience (STE) often creates dramatic shifts in perspective that impact all areas of the individual’s life as well as the lives of those intimately involved with the experiencer. The process of integrating these new perspectives can drastically challenge the status quo, both internally and externally, requiring new coping strategies for everyone involved. ACISTE (American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences) was formed in an effort to support experiencers in all areas of life after the STE. ACISTE has accumulated preliminary research to identify, clarify, and problem-solve services designed specifically for the challenges that experiencers face when integrating their expanded awareness into daily life. Professionals and experiencers associated with ACISTE are using this research to facilitate work groups, build community and design programs to sensitively train professionals to meet the needs of experiencers, as well as develop mentor style assistance for those struggling with integration issues after their STE. | Concurrent | |
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79 | Streit-Horn | Jenny Streit-Horn & Jan Holden - A Systematic Review of Research on After-Death Communication | Friday |
80 | Between 1984 and 2009, researchers published over 35 studies of after-death communication (ADC) involving thousands of people who reported having experienced ADC (ADCrs). However, because of the widely varying nature and quality of methodology between studies, conclusions have been difficult to draw regarding even the most fundamental facts about ADCs, such as their prevalence. In this presentation, we describe a study in which ADC studies were systematically evaluated, yielding a ranking of the studies by methodological quality, and the results: the most definitive estimates of various ADC phenomena, beginning with their prevalence. Attendees, including healthcare providers, will leave with a one-page research-based fact-sheet summary of ADC, including 2-3 recommended resources, that they can use to educate ADCrs including those who are medical, mental, social, and/or spiritual healthcare patients/clients. | Concurrent | |
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82 | van den Bulk | Sabine van den Bulk - The Fragaria Method for NDE in Living with Trauma | Saturday |
83 | Abstract available later | Poster | |
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86 | Yuschok | Theresa Yuschok - Diving Into Increasing Depths: Spirituality in Clinical Practice | Friday |
87 | Rilke wrote, "It is not too late to dive into your increasing depths, where life calmly speaks to you its secret." When we invite others to explore their depths of spiritual experience, healthcare professionals must approach this with an open respect, in compliance with the guidelines of their professions, prepared with questions to start and continue the conversation, an awareness of interpersonal or intrapsychic blocks and appreciation for the significant symbols. Clinical examples and poetry will illustrate the value of spirituality in clinical practice. | Plenary | |
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