Dr.

Kenneth Ring

In 1977, Kenneth Ring, a brilliant young professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, read
Raymond Moody's book, Life After Life, and was inspired by it. However, he felt that a more
scientifically structured study would strengthen Moody's findings. He sought out 102 near-death
survivors for his research. This web page documents some of Ken Ring's basic insights based on his
meticulous research.

His research involves the ground-breaking work of investigating near-death experiences among blind
persons. His findings are detailed in his latest book Mindsight which is bound to become a classic in the
annals of near-death research much like his previous books, Lessons From The Light, Heading Toward
Omega, Life At Death, and The Omega Project. Ken Ring researched NDEs that involve the experiencer
witnessing events while out of their body which is later proven to have taken place. Ken has also
researched NDEs that affirms reincarnation. Ken has also examined NDEs among those who attempted
suicide. During his extensive research, Ken was also able to examine NDEs where the future was
foretold. The following information is Ken Ring's research conclusions from his study.

(1) Those cases who came closest to death, or were clinically dead, just as Moody's cases reported, told
of being outside of their bodies, of moving through a void or dark tunnel toward a luminous light, of
meeting with departed relatives and friends, of having a feeling of great comfort and bliss and of being
surrounded by compassionate love, a feeling so beautiful they longed to remain, and when they
returned to the "earthly" realm, they were affected by this feeling the rest of their lives.

(2) No one type of person was especially likely to have this experience. It cut across race, gender, age,
education, marital status, and social class.

(3) Religious orientation was not a factor affecting either the likelihood or the depth of the NDE. An
atheist was as likely to have one as was a devoutly religious person.

(4) Regardless of their prior attitudes - whether skeptical or deeply religious - and regardless of the
many variations in religious beliefs and degrees of skepticism from tolerant disbelief to outspoken
atheism - most of these people were convinced that they had been in the presence of some supreme
and loving power and had a glimpse of a life yet to come.

(5) Drugs, anesthesia and medication did not seem to be a factor in inducing these impressions and
exquisite feelings of a NDE. Indeed, drugs and anesthesia seemed to be more likely to cause a person to
forget memories of a NDE.

(6) He definitely concluded that NDEs are not hallucinations because hallucinations are rambling,
unconnected, often unintelligible and vary widely, whereas NDEs tend to have similar elements of a
clear, connected pattern.
(7) Based on the information of those who had reported such incidents, the moment of death was
often one of unparalleled beauty, peace and comfort - a feeling of total love and total acceptance. This
was possible even for those involved in horrible accidents in which they suffered very serious injuries.
Dr. Ring found there was a tremendous comfort potential in this information for people who were
facing death.

(8) After going through a NDE, people reported a loss of fear of death as well as a greater appreciation
of life. They also reported stronger feelings of self-acceptance and a greater concern and sense of
caring for other people. They had less interest in material things for their own sake. Many tended to
become more spiritual - though not necessarily more involved in organized religion.

(9) Almost all subjects who experienced a NDE found their lives transformed and a change in their
attitudes and values, and in their inclination to love and to help others. Dr. Ring was convinced that
these were absolutely authentic experiences and noted that since returning, many of them had
occasion to think about what might have been.' And their subsequent lives were powerful testimony to
our common ability to live more deeply, more appreciatively, more lovingly, and more spiritually.