Abstract
I describe a near-death experience (NDE) followed by a religious experience 15 years later in which the subject was visited by the same “angel-like” figure that she saw in the NDE. I describe details of the NDE and of the subsequent visitation; note transformational changes in behavior and associated aftereffects; examine childhood experiences possibly related to the NDE; review the presence of angels in Biblical and mystical literature and in contemporary media; and suggest a possible relationship between latent paranormal abilities and the occurrence of a variety of exceptional experiences.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atwater, P.M. H. (1988). Coming back to life: The after-effects of the near-death experience. New York: Dodd-Mead.
Burnham, S. (1990). A book of angels: Reflections on angels past and present and true stories of how they touch our lives. New York: Ballantine.
Gallup, G., and Proctor, W. (1982). Adventures in immortality: A look beyond the threshold of death. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Gibbs, N., and Chua-Eoan, H. G. (1993, December 27). Angels among us. Time, 142(27), 56–65.
Greyson, B. (1983). The near-death experience scale: Construction, reliability, and validity. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 171, 369–375.
Greyson, B. (1985). A typology of near-death experiences. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 967–969.
Jovanovic, P. (1993). An inquiry into the existence of guardian angels: A journalist investigative report. New York: M. Evans.
Kennard, M. J. (1998). A visit from an angel. American Journal of Nursing, 98(3), 48–51.
Kirven, R. H. (1994). Angels in action: What Swedenborg saw and heard. West Chester, PA: Chrysalis Books.
Lundahl, C. R. (1982). Near-death experiences of Mormons. In C. R. Lundahl (Ed.), A collection of near-death research readings (pp. 165–179). Chicago: Nelson-Hall.
Lundahl, C. R. (1992). Angels in near-death experiences. Journal of Near-Death Studies,11, 49–56.
Moody, R. A. (1975). Life after life. Covington, GA: Mockingbird Books.
Moody, R. A., and Perry, P. (1988). The light beyond. New York: Bantam.
Morse, M., and Perry, P. (1990). Closer to the light: Learning from the near-death experiences of children. New York: Villard.
Rawlings, M. (1978). Beyond death's door. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Ring, K., and Rosing, C. J. (1990). The omega project: An empirical study of the NDE-prone personality. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 8, 211–239.
Ring, K. (1992). The omega project: Near-death experiences, UFO encounters, and mind at large. New York: Morrow.
Ryden, V. (1992). True life in God [Video]. Independence, MO: Trinitas.
Ryden, V. (1995). My Angel Daniel. Independence: MO, Trinitas.
Serdahely, W. J. (1993). Near-death experiences and dissociation: Two cases. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 12, 85–94.
Silberling, B. (Dir.). (1998). City of angels [Film]. Hollywood, CA: Warner.
Steiger, B. (1994). One with the light. New York: Penguin.
Ward, V. (Dir.). (1998). What dreams may come [Film]. Hollywood, CA: Polygram.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bonenfant, R.J. A Near-Death Experience Followed by the Visitation of an “Angel-Like” Being. Journal of Near-Death Studies 19, 103–113 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007861022420
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007861022420