Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

Index

adaptability, human, 95

afterlife, 152–53

airplanes, author’s love of, 1–2, 61, 159

Alexander, Betsy (sister), 100

and author’s birth family, 59

and author’s return, 108, 113, 120–21

birth of, 53

at the hospital, 42, 89, 91, 94, 97, 120–21

and onset of coma, 26

Alexander, Betty (mother), 50, 94, 99, 105, 108, 113

Alexander, Bond (son), 34, 105

birth of, 12

E. coli drawing by, 75, 98–99, 115

and father’s illness, 14–15, 74, 75, 92, 98–100

and father’s return, 110, 111–12, 115

Alexander, Eben Jr. (father), 50–52, 163

Alexander, Eben III:

adoption of, 52–58, 64–65, 163–64, 170–71

and alcohol use, 56–57

biological family of, 55–56, 58, 59–67, 95, 144, 165, 168–69; see also under Webster

birth of, 62

in coma, see coma

and depression, 57–58

fantasies and delusions of, 115–19, 185–86

as living proof, 135, 171

medical training of, 7–8, 12, 50, 65, 130

as N of 1 (unique case), 89–92

and paranoia, 117–18, 120

recovery of, 120–23, 124

and religion, 34, 147–48

return to earth, 79, 108–10, 111–14, 115–19, 120–21

skydiving adventures, 2–6, 61, 85, 116, 118–19

telling his story, 10, 124–25, 126–28, 135, 136, 144, 162, 170–71

unique NDE of, 9, 77–79, 89–92, 135, 149

and Years of Not Knowing, 66

Alexander, Eben IV (son), 34

birth of, 12

and E. coli drawing, 75, 115

family heritage project of, 54

and father’s illness, 27–28, 33, 75

and father’s return, 111, 112, 120, 124, 126–27, 136

and physical conditioning, 18

Alexander, Holley (wife):

as artist and teacher, 12

at church, 147

and family, 34, 59

at the hospital, 18, 26, 42, 88, 90–94, 97–101, 105

and husband’s return, 108, 111–12, 117, 118, 122

marriage of Eben and, 11–12, 54

and onset of coma, 14–16

Alexander, Jean (sister), see Sullivan, Jean Alexander

Alexander, Phyllis (sister):

and author’s birth family, 59

and author’s return, 108, 113–14, 120–21, 122

birth of, 53

at home, 99–100

at the hospital, 33–34, 36–37, 42, 53, 89, 90–91, 93, 94, 97, 120–21

and onset of coma, 26, 27

rainbow’s appearance to, 105, 113

Alexander-Heyward, Katharine Dayton (Kate), 100

amnesia, 78, 86

angels, 84, 104, 169

as familiar NDE vision, 131

guardian angels, 95–96, 102, 131

see also Girl on Butterfly Wing

APACHE II score, 25

atoms, 150

awareness, 130, 158; see also consciousness

bacteria:

E. coli, see E. coli bacteria

gram-negative type, 25, 27, 42, 92, 149, 183

Gram’s stain classification of, 23

resistant to antibiotics, 43

bacterial attack, 21–22

bacterial conjugation, 20

basal ganglia, 187, 188

belief, power of, 155

Big Bang, 157

binaural beats, 159

Black Death, 43, 50

bliss, 124

Bohr, Niels, 154

brain:

absence of, 8, 129–30, 135

access to, 35

adaptability of, 95

attack on, 17–19, 20–21, 42, 132–33, 149

as barrier, 72, 80

and cardiac arrest, 134

and cerebrospinal fluid, 19, 20

in coma vigile state, 107

concreteness of, 35

and consciousness, 8–9, 34, 80–81, 130, 140, 149, 152

CT scan of, 23, 183

and fantasy, 118, 141

as filter, 81

freedom from limitations of, 9, 85

and grand mal seizure, 16, 183

and ICU psychosis, 118, 120

and memory, 115, 117, 141, 185, 188

MRI of, 36

and neuroscientific hypotheses of NDEs, 141–44, 185–88

oxygenated blood to, 134

reality modeled by, 80, 138

and reboot phenomenon, 142–43, 188

reentry of, 119

sophistication of, 138

subcortical regions, 188

superpowered, 6

surgical repair of, 36

thinking outside the brain, 85

and true thought, 84–85

brain death, revised definitions of, 9, 134

brainstem damage, 187, 188

brain waves, 158–59

Brennan, Robert, 23, 26, 42–43, 106

cardiac arrest, 133–34

cardiopulmonary bypass pumps, 134

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 134

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 19, 21–22

E. coli invasion of, 20

glucose level, 25

and lumbar puncture, 21–22

Chalmers, David, The Conscious Mind, 151–52

Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, 53–54, 59, 63–64

choice, conscious, 84–85

Chuck (skydiving buddy), 3–6, 85

Cicero, 165

clairvoyance, 153

coma:

and arrival at the hospital, 17–19, 183

author as N of 1 in, 89–92

author’s APACHE II score, 25

author’s consciousness in, 29, 30–31, 76–78, 95, 155, 160, 162

author’s CSF glucose level, 25

author’s Glasgow Coma Scale, 25

and feeling of powerlessness, 90

and ICU psychosis, 118, 120

images gathered in, 38–41, 45–49, 68–73, 103, 108–10, 141, 143, 147, 154, 159–61

implications of, 9

as in-between state, 87, 106–7

language bypassed in, 46

medical records of, 25, 132, 135

messages to author in, 40–41

neocortex shut down in, 8, 9, 133, 141–42, 144, 186, 188

onset of, 13–16, 24, 149, 183

and patient’s family, 33–34, 90, 105–7

patient’s hands and feet in, 98

patient’s physical appearance in, 74–75

reality of, 9–10, 39, 78, 129–30, 185

recovery from, 98, 144, 184

and risk of dying, 26, 106, 183

sounds heard by author in, 29, 38–39, 45, 70, 102, 131, 147

telepathic communication with patients in, 88

and termination of antibiotics, 105–7

underworld existence in, 29–32

and vegetative state, 26, 105–6

coma vigile state, 107

compassion, 85

Conscious Mind, The (Chalmers), 151–52

consciousness:

in author’s coma experience, 29, 30–31, 76–78, 95, 155, 160, 162

as basis of all existence, 154–55, 162

behavioral psychology of, 158

and the brain, 8–9, 34, 80–81, 130, 140, 149, 152

deep truths in, 158

enhanced state of, 158

extended phenomena of, 153

and free will, 48, 81, 83–84

life force in, 156

loss of, in brain death, 134

out-of-body, 153, 158, 159, 161

physiology of, 158–59

profound mystery of, 154

and quantum mechanics, 154

and reality, 150, 154

recovery of, 120–23

and science, 151–52, 171

Core:

author’s arrival in, 45–49

lessons learned in, 81, 82, 95, 102, 109

memories of, 107, 131, 151

message received in, 71

moving back and forth in, 68, 70

Orb in, 47, 48, 102, 160

Spinning Melody in, 70, 102

ultra-reality of, 78, 117, 185

cortex, 20, 159, 187

Creator, see God

CSF glucose level, 25

CT (computerized tomography) scan, 23, 183

Cushing, Harvey, 51

Daly, Peggy, 97, 100, 108

dark energy/dark matter, 82, 155

death:

and afterlife, 152–53

author’s return from, 121, 136

feigned by lower animals, 141, 185

revised definitions of, 9, 134

Descartes, René, 149

disappointment, 102

DMT dump, 142, 186

dream confirmation, 137–39

Eccles, Sir John C., 140

E. coli bacteria, 19–21

in bacterial meningitis, 23–24, 91–92, 144, 183

brain attacked by, 20–21, 122, 144

DNA swaps of, 20, 42–43

as gram-negative bacteria, 42, 149

in Israel, 43–44, 89

reproduction of, 19–20

egg, analogy of, 160

Einstein, Albert, 1, 76, 147, 162

electrons, 150

emotions, spaciousness of, 102–3

endogenous glutamate blockade, 185

euphoria, 122, 124, 128

everything, theory of, 150, 153–54

evil, presence of, 48, 83

excitotoxicity, 185, 187

extrasensory perception (ESP), 153

faith, comfort and hope from, 35

family:

as anchor to life, 36–37

of coma patients, 33–34, 90, 105–7

coping with diagnosis, 137–39

hospital vigil of, 97–101

messages from, 37, 101, 137

and one’s identity, 34, 66–67

other (angels), 95–96

reliance on, 36

as source of stability, 34, 53

fantasies:

in author’s return to earth, 115–19, 135, 185–86

grief-induced, 138

in ICU psychosis, 118

NDEs thought to be, 141

reality vs., 41, 138

flying:

in author’s coma experience, 39–40

author’s dreams of, 1, 159

in sailplanes, 1–2, 61

and skydiving, 2–6, 61, 85, 116, 118–19

free will, 48, 81, 83–84

Gateway, 70

images in, 38, 71, 84, 102, 109

lessons learned in, 81

memories of, 68, 131, 147, 151

ultra-reality of, 78, 117, 185

Girl on Butterfly Wing, 40–41

as author’s biological sister, 169

as guide/guardian angel, 47, 68, 102, 104, 163

message from, 41, 71, 109

Glasgow Coma Scale, 25

God:

all-knowing, 159–61

belief in, 34, 57–58, 67, 148

caring and loving, 96, 146, 161, 171

communicating with, 48, 161

connection to, 76, 104, 148, 160–61

dazzling darkness of, 48

glory of, 157

growing toward, 84

impersonal nature of, 85–86

learning lessons from, 192

as Om, 47, 48, 86, 104, 148, 156–57, 159–61

questions about, 153, 154

separation from, 76, 154

universal, 156–57

good and evil, 83

Gram’s stain, 23

Great Depression, 51–52

guardian angels, 95–96, 102, 131

Heaven:

belief in, 34

loss of, 102

presence of, 104

proof of, 135, 171

questions about, 153, 154

Heisenberg, Werner, 149–50, 154

Hemi-Sync, 158–59

hen’s egg, analogy of, 160

Heyward, Robert, 100

human spirit, 152

humor, 157

ICU psychosis, 118, 120

illusion, 80

Ingraham, Franc D., 51

insight, 49

interconnectedness, 150–51, 154–55, 171

irony, 157

Irreducible Mind (Division of Perceptual Studies), 153

Israel:

author’s trip to, 42, 44, 50, 89

E. coli in, 43–44, 89

Sourasky Medical Center in, 43–44

Jeans, Sir James, 154

John (pseud.), 145–46

Kelly, David L., Jr., 52

ketamine, 185–86

Kierkegaard, Søren, 129

kinetic learning, 35

knowledge:

acquisition of, 49

spiritual, 82–83

KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), 43–44

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth, On Life After Death, 168

language, limitations of, 132

lateral amygdala, 185

laughter, 157

letting go, 145–46

life, our role in, 84, 85

Life After Life (Moody), 133–34, 135

life everlasting, belief in, 36

life force, 156

limbic system, 141, 185

locality, 156

Loeffler, Jay, 91

love:

as center of universe, 48, 130, 170

and compassion, 85

as message to author, 41, 71

unconditional, 71–72, 73, 83–84, 131, 148, 161, 170–71

LSD, 186

lumbar puncture, 19, 21–22, 183

Matson, Donald, 51

meditation, 158, 161

Melville, Herman, 136

memory:

and brain, 115, 117, 141, 185, 188

and NDE experiences, 139, 141, 185, 188

need to share, 124–25, 126–28

and reboot phenomenon, 142–43, 188

recovery of, 122, 124

meningitis:

author’s unique case of, 23–24, 89–92, 132, 186–87

bacterial, 19–21, 23–24, 89, 91, 132–33, 144, 183

causes of, 23–24

and cerebrospinal fluid, 19

gram-negative bacterial type, 25, 27, 92

mortality rate in, 21, 25, 92, 183

spontaneous E. coli bacterial type, 23, 91–92, 183

and superficial cortex damage, 187

mescaline, 186

Midas Rex drill, 35

mind over matter, 155

miracle:

expectation of, 105

medical, 184

telling the story of, 144

Monroe, Robert A., 158

Moody, Raymond, Life After Life, 133–34, 135

MRI (magnetic resonance image), 36

mystical states, 158

mystical worldview, 154

NDE (near-death experience):

author’s experience of, 9, 77–79, 89–92, 135, 141–44, 149, 161, 162–64, 170–71, 188

believers of, 140

and cardiac arrest, 133–34

classic occurrences of, 77

difficulty of conveying to others, 10, 72, 125, 135, 136, 144, 162

earthly identity forgotten in, 162–64

literature of, 78–79, 126–27, 131–32, 134, 162

and memory, 139, 141, 185, 188

moving toward the light in, 38–39

neuroscientific hypotheses of, 141–44, 185–88

openness to understanding of, 140–41, 146

other people’s experiences of, 76–77, 131–32, 162, 168

unbelievers of, 140, 141

uniqueness of each experience of, 131, 162

written account of, 127–28

neocortex:

electrical activity of, 159

functional column of, 187

and reboot phenomenon, 188

shut down in coma, 8, 9, 133, 141–42, 144, 186, 188

neurotransmitters, 142

neutrons, 150

N of 1, 89–92

Om (God):

all-knowing, 159–60

communicating with, 48, 160–61

connection to, 104, 148

empathy of, 86

as God, 47; see also God

impersonal nature of, 85–86

universal, 156–57

On Life After Death (Kübler-Ross), 168

openness, 140–41, 146, 156

Orb, 47, 48, 102, 160

out-of-body experiences, 153, 158, 159, 161

parachute jumps, author’s experiences with, 2–6, 85

particles, 150

pathos, 157

Pauli, Wolfgang, 154

pineal gland, 142

placebo effect, power of, 155

Potter, Laura, 17–19, 21–22, 23

prayer, 24, 94, 103, 108, 158, 161

precognition, 153

protons, 150

psychokinesis, 153

punctuation marks, 157

quantum mechanics, 149–50, 154–56

rainbow, appearance of, 105

reality:

in author’s coma experience, 9–10, 39, 78, 129–30, 185

brain model of, 80, 138

and consciousness, 150, 154

fantasy vs., 41, 138

as illusion, 80

and quantum mechanics, 154

ultra-reality, 78, 117, 185, 186, 187, 188

of unconditional love, 71–72

universe as part of, 49

Realm of the Earthworm’s-Eye View:

consciousness in, 30–31, 76

leaving, 32, 70

memories of, 131, 147

primordial world of, 29–32, 69, 76, 78, 108, 117

returning to, 68–70, 102, 108

reboot phenomenon, 142–43, 188

recognitions, 157

reincarnation, 152–53

Reintjes, Susan:

and author’s return, 108

and coma patients, 87–88, 101

spiritual healing activities of, 87

telepathic communication from, 88, 143

Third Eye Open, 87

relationships, 150–51

religion, 147–48

REM intrusion, 142

remote viewing, 153

REM sleep, 142

Reticular Activating System, 159

Ritchie, George, 133–34

Romano, David M., “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me,” 165–68

sailplane, author’s experience in, 1–2, 61

Schrödinger, Erwin, 154

science:

and consciousness, 151–52, 171

honesty and cleanness of, 36

knowledge sought by, 86

limitations of, 153

neuroscientific hypotheses of NDEs, 141–44, 185–88

reductionism of, 140, 171

and spirituality, 72–73, 128, 130, 140

and unconditional love, 71–72

scientific method, 152–53

self, experience of, 160

separation anxiety, 76

serotonin, 142, 186

Singer, Isaac B., 80

skepticism, 132, 153

skydiving, author’s experiences of, 2–6, 61, 85, 116, 118–19

soul:

concept of, 36, 152–53

healing of, 170

leaving the body, 161

space and time, locality in, 156

Spinning Melody, 38–39, 70, 102

spirit:

concept of, 36, 84, 85, 132, 154

human, 152

spirituality, and science, 72–73, 128, 130, 140

spiritual realm:

knowledge of, 81–83, 158

and profound mystery of conscious existence, 154

Street, Gus, 1

subatomic phenomena, 150, 156

Sullivan, David, 26–27

Sullivan, Jean Alexander (sister), 26–27, 53

closeness of author and, 89–90

at the hospital, 108

Sullivan, Michael:

conducting a church service, 147

at the hospital, 26, 42, 93–94

and onset of coma, 26, 27

prayers of, 42, 94, 103

Sullivan, Page, 93, 103

supernatural beliefs, 35

superstition, 140

Surgical Neurology, 52

Susanna (patient), 137–39, 144

Tatter, Steve, 91

telepathic communication, 88, 143, 153

terminal lucidity, 146

thalamus, 159, 187

theory of everything (TOE), 150, 153–54

Third Eye Open (Reintjes), 87

time and space, locality in, 156

trans-earthly voyagers, 133–34

true thought, 84–85

ultra-reality, 78, 117, 185, 186, 187, 188

unconditional love, 71–72, 73, 83–84, 131, 148, 161, 170–71

universe:

on a different frequency, 156

becoming, 160

dark matter/energy in, 82, 155

God’s presence in, 156–57

higher dimensions of, 48–49

interconnectedness in, 151

love as center of, 48, 130, 170

no beginning or end to, 156–57

perfection of, 85

punctuation marks in, 157

purposeful nature of, 81

space and time in, 156

Vaughan, Henry, 48

viewing, remote, 153

Wade, Scott, 105–7, 108, 111, 112–13, 115

statement by, 183–84

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, 50

Webster, Ann (birth mother), 61–65, 66

Webster, Betsy (biological sister), 66, 165, 168–69

Webster, Bob (biological uncle), 65–66

Webster, David (biological brother), 61

Webster, Kathy (biological sister), 61, 66, 165, 168

Webster, Richard (biological father), 61, 62, 63, 65–66

“When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” (Romano), 165–68

White, Sylvia, 26, 87, 97, 100, 105, 108, 111–12

Wilson, Bill and Patty, 12

Wizard of Oz, The (film), 72