Response I posted on Psychology Today Website to inquiry regarding beliefs about death (2-16-11):

i have had two Near-Death Experiences before becoming a psychologist. Subsequently, I have been involved with the International Association of Near-Death Studies, know people who did a lot of the early research on NDEs, and know many, many people who have had NDEs. While I definitely agree that there very well be a substantial neurological component with the NDE, most people who have had NDEs...and the research indicates now more that 8 million reporters of NDEs in the United States and that is probably an underestimate...not only believe strongly that the event occurred. There also are often, maybe even usually, personality or other significant changes following an NDE. Two of the main factors in a usual NDE is out-of-body experience, and the "encounter" with one or more other out-of-body beings. My own adult experience involved both, including an encounter with three out-of-body beings who were as real for me...or more so...than anyone I have ever encountered in body.

That said, I have been in the psychology field for decades, including having been Chief of Staff of a psychiatric faculty, a major university medical school instructor, and am currently a faculty advisor at a major university medical school in Southern California. To many I know who explore developing consciousness in many forms, including the paranormal...ghosts, aura, et cetera, I am often seen as "the scientist". But I also agree with their perspectives and have had many of the same experiences. Many of us now are serving as bridges to connect the scientific and medical world with greater expansion into these realms. And. of course, quantum physics is helping us do that. (And, I heartily endorse What the Bleep, even on my website: www.paulinedelozier.com.)

The reason I responded is to let those of you interested know that scientific and professional work is rapidly advancing in these areas, as more and more people, including professionals, speak more openly about their own experiences, as well as information they have access to. Just as one example, there is a new national organization recently organized to train health, mental health and other professionals how to understand and assist people who have had Spiritually Transformative Experiences, including NDEs. I am honored to be on their national advisory board with planned conferences and eventual trainings throughout the country. If you'd like, You can check out the info, including some initial training material, at www.aciste.org.

We are in a time of beginning to expand our understanding of who and what we are to incorporate a more extensive version of "reality", both personally and collectively. Though there has been much resistance to what is unknown and unfamiliar, this shift or expansion is happening, not only for individuals, but collectively as well. Much is beginning to move out of the "woo woo" category into a changing paradigm for human development and functioning.

Thank each of you for having the courage to speak up and at least ask the questions!! I personally am from a tradition that said you had to "choose science or religion". My life-long stance has been, no, you don't. A much more integrative perspective is now on the horizon and becoming more of a very real possibility every day. My belief is that we've only begun to understand "reality".

Thank you for the exploration!! And the courage to say, as in What the Bleep, that maybe...just maybe...there are real "ships out there", even though we have never held that belief in our collective and personal consciousness so strongly until now. I would really welcome interaction with any of you who are also moving in that direction. Blessings!!