People who have near-death experiences often report a similar set of symptoms: they levitate above their body while being slowly pulled towards a bright white light. Nevertheless, the details of this experience - the particular afterlife that lies beyond the light - reveal a tremendous amount about the culture you exist in. From the Mental Floss Blog:
Many Africans interpret near-death experiences as somewhat evil, a bad omen or a sign that they were somehow "bewitched."
Among 400 Japanese NDErs that participated in a study, many reported seeing long, dark rivers and beautiful flowers, two common symbols that frequently appear as images in Japanese art.
East Indians sometimes see Heaven as a giant bureaucracy, and frequently report being sent back because of clerical errors.
Americans and Brits often say they are sent back for love or in order to perform a job or task.
Natives of Micronesia often visualize Heaven as a large, brightly lit American city with loud, noisy cars and tall buildings.
One assumes that the East Indians excluded from Heaven because of a clerical error could always bribe the gatekeeper.
I think they're on to something.
Naaah. That's hell they're describing ...
Happy to report that my own (fortunately few) near death experiences were all on the lines
"Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ���� "
Fun piece and oh so true regarding culture vs experience. I just finished reading 'Spook' by Mary Roach. Love the tales, facts, errata and cast of characters involved in our continiung search for the eternal answer.
Thank you, this was a nice bit of synchronicity!