Colleen R ADC
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Experience description:

I don't know if my dream counts as an "out-of-body experience," but it was the most vivid dream I've ever had. I strongly believe it was more than just my subconscious. It was the most 'real' dream I've ever experienced, and I remember it with crystal clarity.

My grandpa, whom I adored more than anything, died when I was eight years old. He lived with my grandma, her mother and aunt, and two dogs, Ninja and Shannon. Ninja, a beautiful collie, was Grandpa's pride and joy. I loved that dog almost as much as I loved my grandpa. Shannon was an older terrier who preferred to lie on the couch than play.

In the early 1980s, my family suffered tremendous losses. Gram died in 1982, Auntie May in 1983, Grandpa in 1984, and Ninja in 1985. My grandma lost the most important people in her life within three years. My biggest loss was my grandpa, who I adored.

Shortly after he died, I had the most incredible and realistic dream. It started out dark. I was at the bottom of a mountain, standing by a river under the light of a full moon. There was a line of people, all silent, waiting to enter a tent near the river. As I moved closer, I saw souls emerging from the top of the tent, rising toward the sky. I realized that people were being killed or dying somehow inside the tent, and I was in line to die.

Thankfully, I don't remember entering the tent. Instead, my next memory is of walking through a beautiful, colorful, comforting 'town' of sorts. There were empty shops, and I was alone, walking on a massive cloud. I wasn't scared, just intrigued by this place. As I walked, I saw a colorful, inviting ice cream shop. Inside, there were several empty booths and a long center aisle. I walked down the aisle toward the counter and saw people sitting in the distance to my right. As I got closer, I recognized them: my grandpa, great-grandma, great-aunt, and Ninja. They were all at a corner booth, looking beautiful, healthy, smiling, and radiating love that I could intensely feel.

I was beyond elated to see them. Although I don't remember the conversation clearly, I do recall my grandpa telling me it wasn't my time to join them yet. I wanted to stay, but they reassured me they would wait for me. I felt a deep sense of despair and longing to stay, but then I woke up.

I cried hard as I relayed the dream to my mom, who held me while I sobbed. I told her I wanted to die so I could be with them, especially my grandpa. For weeks, I prayed for God to end my life so I could return to them.

Even now, I remember that dream as if it happened yesterday. I don't know what the afterlife is like, and I question it just like everyone else. Maybe we go into a dream forever. Maybe we meet God and learn the purpose of our lives. Maybe we become a star in the universe. My experience wasn't an out-of-body or near-death one; perhaps it was just the dream of a heartbroken child. But it's the most precious dream and memory I have, something I've never forgotten. I'd like to believe it was more than a dream or my subconscious at work. It was real to me. When I question the afterlife, I think back to that dream, the love I felt, the joy of being with them, and how peaceful and beautiful it was. Was it a glimpse of heaven or what lies beyond this life, or simply a dream? I don't know, but I believe I will be with all of my family when I leave this earth.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?      No     

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?          No     

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event? No     

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?    I was asleep

           
Was the experience dream like in any way?  It was a realistic dream

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   Yes    I felt myself leave the tent and 'soar' above, seeing everyone below me as I did. I knew I wasn't in my body.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Calm, peaceful, loved, excited, comforted, happy

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?         not that I cab remember.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?         Yes    The 'town' was centered on clouds. I walked on a sea of clouds.

Did you see a light?        Yes    The light from the bright moon is all I saw.

Did you meet or see any other beings?         Yes    It's in written experience

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state?         Yes   

I didn't attempt to see family members but they were there waiting for me

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No     

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different? No     

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?    
Yes    There wasn't time. 'Time' didn't exist. Hard to explain but I felt there was no 'time'.


Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?         No     

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?           No     

Did you become aware of future events?      No     

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?          No     

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?
         Yes          After that dream, I did experience random people in my dreams that were deceased; an elderly neighbor who lived alone next door, another neighbor down the street, a friend's mom. I also had dreams of things that actually happened afterwards; a bridge collapse, an earthquake, a drowning and others with both people and things I can't remember now.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?     Yes    My faith was stronger in God, Heaven, and the afterlife.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?   I'm 40 years older than when I had that dream. My faith isn't as strong as it used to be and I question things much more now that I'm older.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes    Not so much now, but it did back then. Again, I was only eight years old, but I did feel I was here on this earth for a purpose.

Have you shared this experience with others?       Yes          I've only shared this dream with a few people, because people dismiss it as merely a dream and a manifestation of my grieving process.

What emotions did you experience following your experience? Sadness, confusion, loss

What was the best and worst part of your experience?          Being with all of them. The love and joy I felt. The worst part was realizing it wasn't real when I woke up and desperately wanting to go 'back'.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience? I think dreams can relate to out-of-body experiences because they both provide a sense of detachment from the physical world and allow us to explore profound emotions and connections that feel deeply real and meaningful.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?       No     

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?           Yes    To the best of my ability, yes.

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.       Not that I can think of. Thanks for letting me share!

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