A CHEERFUL EXPERIENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 January 1926, Page 8

A CHEERFUL EXPERIENCE

IMPRESSIONS OF DEATH

“THERE'S NAUGHT TO FEAR”

“1 have been as near death as it m safe to be, and a little nearer. It had died 1 should not know more about the sensation of dying than I know now.” writes Mr. James Douglas m the Sunday Express. . “If 1 had been exploring an un known land, I should be eager to describe mv adventures. His Arango that there are scarcely any accounts ot this business of dying. Y\ e come bai a from the experience and say as little as possible about it. the theme is tll “°Y 0 u will all be interested in my experience,” Mr. Douglas goes on to sav “for vou will all die in much the same wav‘as I nearly died, and you: feelings will be the same as you accomplish the universal feat of escaping from this fantastic but delightL. world. . “I knew on entering the nuisin„ home that my chance of life was very fine and very small. It was in reality even finer and smaller than I guessed, for L had a beautiful complication Ol appendicitis, peritonitis, bronchitis, and congestion. ~ “ L find it impossible to describe tlic amazing lucidity of my consciousness during those days and nights. 1 remember feeling sorry that I could not record the tremendous clearness of m> visions. 1 can only suggest the thing by saving that it was like thought, with out words in the mind. Words seemer. to be outgrown. . . “As the war went forward 1 tried to tell mv doctor what was happening 1. endeavoured to convey to him the rush and storm of my unsleeping

mind , ... . ~ , _ “Now that I am normal L know th.v. there is nothing in the functional process of dying to strike terror into tinhuman hoarl*- Jt is as nafinal to < u as to be born. -The on 1 v difference is that you lire not aware‘of your birth, whereas you are splendidly' and superbly aware of. vour .lying, intensely and vitally ini, •»■- ested in its sweep and swing, and joyously eager to go forward into Urn wonderful land beyond earth and an, sea and sky, moon and stars. “There seems to be no geography a: geometry in the new realm that iawuiting you. ... “This sense of separation from the physical machine confirmed my faith .n the survival of my identity after death, f knew that my life was not going out. but that it was going on in a fresh field of consciousness. . . .

“My sensation was that of a retrea*; from the solid bars of the body into a hidden region with no dimensions or limitations. f seemed to be dissolving and melting into a new form and shape

of conscious existence. “1 say nothing of the mystical and imaginative comforts and spiritual consolations that quieted and encouraged me in the depths of pain. These mysteries arc beyond phrases. But I was not lonelv or"alone. And all my faitn in immortality grew stronger as I was borne along on the tide of suffering. I do not think reason or ratiocination plays any part in the sacrament of dying. Something higher than logic calms and supports the soul. 11 j have asked many doctors whether the dying fear death. They all declare that the dying, are not afraid.

“This confirms my own experience. 1 is living that hurts and wounds and errifles. Life, I am sure, is far more ,enable than death.

“1 felt that I was in a kind and compassionated clinic, with no cruelty in

its gentle atmosphere. Death is a sweet and serene peace. Its song is a lullaby, not a dirge. “It may seem outrageous to say that

dying is a cheerful experience, with no lack of humour and mirth and joy. Bat that is my report of it. ‘lt may be said that my dying did not go far enough to justify my conclusions. But I can honestly say that it went as far as it could go without making finality. I saw a fragment of

he curve of (loath, and I ani convinced

that it. would have been prolonged if 1 had not ceased to follow the great flight. “This is the good news I bring to those who are afraid of death. There is naught to fear.”