Get the Workbook | Facilitator Guide | Near-death experiences are episodes where people undergo clinical death and then return to physical life, some reporting afterwards that they maintained consciousness. The very topic of near-death experiences (NDEs) must be approached with caution. There is a lot of unscientific writing about near-death experiences, often based on nothing but anecdotes, which is sometimes focused on the writers’ own agendas rather than evidence.

However, there is also a growing body of legitimate research—actual medical studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals—on the subject of NDEs. Before we look at some of these studies, we must consider what is meant by “near-death experiences.”

In this episode you will learn that ...

■ Science and religion have the same goal.

■ We can learn about our eternal destiny from revelation as well as natural science.

■ Our consciousness cannot be reduced to the brain, and has a transphysical component.

■ Scientific studies on near-death experiences (NDEs) and terminal lucidity provide evidence of survival of human consciousness after clinical death.

About Fr Spitzer: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 16, 1952, Fr. Spitzer is a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order and is currently the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith (magiscenter.com). The Magis Center produces documentaries, books, high school programs, college courses, adult-education programs, and social media materials on the close connection among science, reason, and faith. Fr. Spitzer is also the President, Master of Ceremonies, and speaker at the Napa Institute (napa-institute.org).