Observations placeholder
John Puckering of Arley, Worcs who was dead for four and a half minutes
Identifier
023764
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Light, vol. LV, 1935, p. 67, published this account which originally appeared in the Sunday Dispatch, Jan. 27, 1935, [also quoted in Dr Robert Crookall - More Astral projections]
concerning John Puckering of Arley, Worcs., who was "dead" for four and a half minutes, during which time he saw his (deceased) wife.
When undergoing an operation, Puckering's heart and breathing ceased. The surgeon re-started the heart by massage. Mr Puckering said he had found himself in a big room, which was illuminated by a soft, comforting sort of light. It contained many people and he said,
"All their faces looked fresh, like the faces of very healthy people who are out of doors all the time. They looked so happy. I felt awkward. I wondered what to do. But that soon passed off because all the people looked so friendly - they smiled at me. I saw my wife among them. She "died" (as people say) more than a year ago. But I saw her there as clearly as I have ever seen her. I saw other people I used to know on earth, all people who had passed away. ... Then the light in the room began to change. I don't remember any more."
This experience had a profound effect on Mr Puckering. He declared,
"I shall never again be afraid of death."