Adapted extract from a letter to The Natural Death Centre.
In 1979 I was admitted to the hospital where I worked as a registered nurse for a laproscopic sterilisation.
I went to the theatre the following morning and Mrs G, the Consultant Anaesthetist, administered the anaesthetic. I was aware of going under the influence.
I was inside the operating theatre. I realised that I was being ventilated by machine. I was in a funnel-shaped tunnel, I would say a vortex. It was black and revolving round me in a clockwise direction. I could see at the end there was a very bright light. I was quite near it.
I was not in any pain and I was not afraid.
A voice spoke to me, seemingly by telepathy but not through my ears, it was all inside my head.
It was a male, very calm and gentle and I didn't recognise him, I could not see him.
He gave me three choices.
(1) Return as I am;
(2) Be reborn as someone else;
(3) Go through to beyond the light.
I had to decide very quickly, I was very tempted by the light, as I knew that beyond was all things wonderful and that it was beautiful.
I decided that I must return as I had a one-year-old baby who needed me.
Next thing I knew was that I was back in the ward in bed.
It did have a profound effect on me personally.
I am not afraid of death, I firmly believe in reincarnation and I am very at ease with people who are dying. For some reason unknown to me, the dying appear comfortable in my presence and will instigate a conversation regarding their death. I do not find it difficult to talk to them and they appear to be much happier to have been able to discuss it with someone. Often close relatives find it too painful or are themselves afraid.
I have been able to help a great many of these people come to terms with death.
I am glad that I had the experience and feel that in some way it was a privilege to have been given the insight.
Pamela Hipwell, 11 Pennyacre Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8LB (tel 01626 775928).