OBEs could offer the evidence that when the physical body dies, the mind continues into an afterlife. Skeptics suggest OBEs are just hallucinations, while others say that there is enough evidence out there to confirm that we can gain further information outside our physical bodies.
The majority of OBEs occur at the time of actual or threatened imminent death. Often a patient will report that during surgery they find themselves lifting above the operating table and can see the whole theater. Suddenly they find themselves in a tunnel heading toward a bright light. Upon reaching the light the witness often meets relatives and friends who have passed away, before returning back to their body.
There are a number of organizations researching the phenomenon with the help of local hospitals. U.K.-based scientist Dr. Sam Parnia recently published his findings on OBEs. He reported that it was his firm belief that consciousness continues after the brain has stopped functioning and a patient is clinically dead. This suggests that our consciousness does indeed continue after physical death.
Next: Psychokinesis
