“Statistical averages are meaningless without other collaborating data:” so spoke my professor in college. He was an exciting teacher despite the dry, dull subject. We spent a whole week of precious class time discovering how statistics can be made to favor anything the preparer desires.
If you add up a list of the numbers 1 through 10 (55), then divide by 10 (5.5), you will have the average of the list. However, the average (5.5) does not appear anywhere on the list, and would not be helpful in understanding it. You would need to see the whole list of numbers in order to bring any meaning to their average. Numbers, like people, are unique.
The research done on Near Death Experiences contain a lot of statistical information. What percentage saw the Light? How many were sent back as compared to those wanting to come back? What events should define the NDE? What religious affiliation did the experiencer have? etc., etc. These statistics, by themselves, have little, or no meaning. They are just generalizations. After reading them, a non-experiencer, still won’t know how it feels to have a NDE.
The Near Death Experience is an emotional/spiritual event, full of feeling and knowledge that goes beyond the intellect. It is different for each individual; no two are alike. Trying to capture it on paper is futile. What is the average NDE? There isn’t any average NDE.
© 2009, Lekatt. All rights reserved.