INACS | Consciousness/Life After Death?

An exploration of Near-Death
Presented by Janice Holden, Ed.D.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 6:30–9 p.m.
Austin Center for Spiritual Living (map)
RSVP at http://jholden.eventbrite.com
$5 non-member donation appreciated
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Near-Death Experience (NDE) refers to a usually lucid, real experience of altered consciousness during a close brush with death—one that involves altered perception of the material world, often from a perspective outside the body, as well as perception of and interaction with non-material environments and entities. The classic “scientific” argument is that this phenomena is more a neurological/physiological brain response than a non-physical/spiritual experience. Our speaker, Jan Holden, Ed.D., draws from 40 years of research and makes clear that a great controversy exists in the medical and psychological fields concerning NDEs—for instance:

Can physiological mechanisms explain all aspects of NDEs?
What do NDEs suggest about whether the brain produces consciousness or whether the brain is more a receiver/transmitter of consciousness—a limiter and filter of essentially independent consciousness rather than a source of it?

According to Dr. Holden, the traits of a classic pleasurable NDE are:

A sense/awareness of being dead
A sense of peace, well-being and painlessness
Positive emotions
A sense of removal from the world
A sense of one’s consciousness functioning apart from the physical body
Perceiving one’s body from an outside position
Sometimes observing doctors and nurses performing medical resuscitation efforts
A sense of rapid movement through a structure, such as a tunnel, or a void
Immersion in, and communication with, a powerful Being of Light
An intense feeling of unconditional love
Encountering deceased loved ones and spiritual entities
Experiencing a life review
Memories of past lives; glimpses into the future in this lifetime and/or future lives
Receiving knowledge about one’s life and the nature of the universe
A decision by oneself or others to return to one’s body, often accompanied by a reluctance to return
Connection to the individual’s cultural beliefs, which seem to influence the phenomena and/or how the experiencer interprets it

(From Holden, Greyson, & James (Eds.), The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. Praeger/ABC-CLIO, 2009)

These ideas and more will be discussed in this unique presentation.

Janice Miner “Jan” Holden, Ed.D. is a professor of counseling and chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at the University of North Texas in Denton. Her primary research interest has been the transpersonal perspective in counseling, specifically, near-death experiences. Since 2008, she has served as editor for the Journal of Near Death Studies and in 2009 collaborated on her work The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences, which discusses 30 years of research into the topic. Additionally, she has written various articles concerning the experience of death and dying.

Dr. Holden is also a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor, Texas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, National Certified Counselor, and ACISTE (American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences) Certified Mental Health Professional. Her teaching areas include Counseling Theory, Transpersonal Counseling, Dreamwork in Counseling, and Supervised Practice of Counseling. Her research interests include Transpersonal / Spiritual Issues in Counseling, Couple Counseling, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction Therapy, Integral Therapy, and Screening Counseling Program Applicants. Her most recent honor/award was her presentation at the inaugural ACISTE conference in fall, 2012, being selected by Audio-Digest for online Continuing Medical, Continuing Nursing, and other Continuing Education credit online at the Audio-Digest Foundation.

Handout: PDF notes for slide presentation