The Shapes and Colors of a Near-Death Experience
Near-death experiences are more common than many of us might think: Some studies estimate that between four and eight percent of the global population has had one, as have up to 23 percent of cardiac arrest survivors . These journeys into the borderlands of consciousness tend to feature a few common perceptual themes: ghostly figures and bright lights, tunnels, a sense of peace and calm. But…
Near-death experiences are more widespread than one might assume: estimates suggest between four and eight percent of the world's population has undergone such a journey, with up to 23 percent of those who have experienced cardiac arrest reporting a similar phenomenon. These encounters often include recurring perceptual themes such as encounters with ghostly figures, bright lights, tunnels, and a profound sense of peace and calm.
However, the underlying mechanisms behind these experiences remain a subject of ongoing inquiry. Recently, visual artist and neurophenomenology researcher France Lerner along with her team posed questions to 50 individuals who had reported near-death experiences, asking them to categorize their recollections into phases, illustrate them using geometric shapes, and articulate the colors perceived.
The participants identified four distinct spaces: cones, broad arches, gentle curves, and spaces similar to the inside of an egg. The researchers noted that the cone shapes bear a striking resemblance to the tunnels ending in bright lights, a common feature in narratives of near-death experiences.
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