Observations placeholder
Major John Prioleau – With dysentery, felt himself lifted up out of the bed and out of his body
Identifier
023690
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
THE case of Major John Prioleau was given by Geraldine Cummins in Mind in Life and Death, Aquarian Press, 1956. It is here abbreviated by Dr Robert Crookall
He had acute dysentery and was not expected to survive more than a day or two. A screen was put around his bed, a sign, in a military hospital, that transition was expected. The Major said, "I began to notice all sorts of details I had not been aware of before and my sense of hearing became extremely sharp.
The Sister-in-charge said, 'I won't let you see him. ... I absolutely refuse.'
Another voice: 'But it is my duty as a priest to speak to this dying man ...'
Sister-in-charge: 'No ... If you like, complain to the C.O.'
"I was in great pain but it did not seem to me that I was going to die. Soon after that all pain left me and I had rather a disagreeable feeling of sinking through the bed. ... Then I felt myself lifted up out of the bed and out of my body, I found myself close to the ceiling, looking down on a rather repulsive, emaciated body lying in my bed. Feeling free of all pain and distress, I was interested and amused. Then I thought, very clearly, 'This must be death! Now I know what nobody else knows, I must take careful notes!'
(In civilian life I was a writer, which perhaps accounts for my professional attitude). Very soon after that I was drawn down again into that unpleasant and useless body. It was a horrid mental shock,"