Near death experiences occur for a specific reason. The Council has said that the purpose of near death experiences is to “reestablish in the awareness of man that there is a continuation of life after death, that we are truly immortal.” They say that what people experience when they have a near death experience is presented in symbolic form. This is necessary so that they have something they can relate to when they talk to others after they return from the experience. The spiritual is nearly impossible to explain to the finite mind that we utilize for our physical experiences.

In the following quote The Council explains the most common symbols in the near death experience.

“Those who have seen beyond the veil have seen quite clearly, and there is no way to prove their experience; but these things come to the forefront of man’s awareness now to bring a greater awareness of an existence afterwards; also to bring to his awareness the responsibility that he must assume for his actions. All things have their purpose, and there will be more and more interest in what exists after this manifestation.”

“There is a universal symbol of light, and the experience of the shaft of light or a tunnel of light or what have you is the soul’s way of communicating through the physical organ of the brain what it experienced. It is the bringing back in symbols or pictures the experience that it had when it was released totally from the physical container and then regains its position in that same physical container.”

In the near death experience the soul is totally released from the physical body. The physical container will continue to function for a short period of time, not necessarily breathing or having a heartbeat, but the cellular integrity is maintained.

These symbols usually consist of a tunnel, shaft of light, the meeting of loved ones or religious figures and, in some cases, they see a city of lights.

The Council tells us how we can put the near death experience to use in a positive manner and the importance of the symbolism.

“Hold the symbolisms because they give you something to relate to, but do not place your mind or your thoughts so rigid as to — this will be actually a city of lights, this will be actually a shaft of light. Take them in the sense in which they bring to you or the attitude that they bring to you; such as a city of light is a heavenly place. As you think about such symbolism as a city of light, also think about a heavenly place. As you think of a shaft of light, also think of spiritual growth and enlightenment, then that way you are broadening yourself and not holding yourself rigid to words.”

Dear One,

Your thoughts are magnetic. Even when you are not conscious of what you are thinking, the power of your thoughts affects your life. What you hold in your mind creates a level of consciousness, and this influences that which you experience in your world. So, if you want to change the world you live in, start with your own thoughts and feelings.

There are many levels of consciousness. Total consciousness can be called oneness with the Mind of God. This is the place where the master teachers dwell, and it is a level of awareness that, ultimately, all humans seek to attain. The closer you come to submersion in this Divine Presence, the greater a force for good you are on the planet.

Praying for attainment of conscious union with God will increase the level of energy you work with in daily life, generating a high vibrational frequency within your mind, and thus encouraging more positive thinking at all times. Positive thoughts, when held in conscious awareness, can affect everyone around you in a positive way as well. Thoughts are “catching.” As all minds are a part of the Mind of God, the minds of all people are linked. Through this link you can spread thoughts of darkness and fear, or thoughts of love and compassion. It is your choice, and it takes moment to moment awareness.

Sometimes it doesn’t seem like you have a choice about the way you are feeling. Yet, whether this darkness is coming from you, or you are being affected by the consciousness of people around you, it is up to you to do what you can to change your thoughts. If you don’t, a downward spiral of energy is created, and more effort is necessary to come back to a loving perspective.

Practice

There are some very simple exercises that can be used to shift these thoughts and feelings. First, accept that your thoughts are causing you to suffer. Next, just be willing to change.

Your intention to create change will set that energy into motion. When you know what qualities you want in your world, you create that intention in your consciousness. For instance, is it your intention to live in peace, love and harmony? Or is it your intent to live in struggle, fear or intolerance? When you choose to live in the greater energy frequency of love and acceptance, the universe rejoices and all manner of assistance becomes instantly available to you.

Setting your intention is really a form of prayer, because it is stating what you want. You can ask for these qualities, and also for assistance in receiving them. It matters not to Whom you pray. There is only one God, whose power is available to you when you ask, and when you surrender your personal will to the greater Will.

Changing your world starts within you, in your thoughts and feelings. Hold in your conscious awareness only that which you want to experience throughout your day. You will find yourself attracting more love, harmony and divine order to every area of your life and you will lift not only your own consciousness, but that of the world.

Know that the Angels are guiding and blessing you so that all may be transformed, when you remember: You attract to you only that which is in your consciousness.