[Brief Report] The Interpreted Meaning of “It is Not Your Time” in Near-Death Experiences

Summary

Most people who imagine receiving a vague message from a supreme being during a near-death experience—that it is not yet their time—interpret it as being sent back to Earth to fulfill a purpose. This finding comes from a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 106 survey respondents who had never had a near-death experience. The study examines how individuals without personal NDE experience would interpret such an ambiguous, isolated statement if received from an authoritative source under those conditions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The typical near-death experience (NDE) is generally understood as an altered state of consciousness that occurs during real or presumed life- threatening and/or near-death circumstances, often including the experiencer’s (NDEr’s) perception of existing as an extrapersonal self out of and/or away from their physical body. The ego, while in this presumed disembodied state, some- times has the impression of encountering personages such as deceased people. otherworldly spirits, and/or supreme beings who may tell and/or persuade the NDEr that they need to return to life, which may or may not include a choice to return. Although sometimes the NDEr is given a reason why they need to return—such as for the sake of other family members, to help others, or to per- form some task for God or humanity. at other times they are simply given an ambiguous and isolated message that it is not yet their time. without any further explanation as to why. In this study, I focus on how individuals who have never had an NDE might personally interpret this type of vague isolated statement if they received it from an authoritative supreme being of some sort under those conditions. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of 106 survey respondents suggests that most people would interpret such a statement under those conditions as indicating that they were sent back to Earth to fulfill a purpose.