The Wisdom of Near Death Experiences

How Understanding NDE's Can Help Us to Live More Fully

By: Dr Penny Sartori

Narrated by: Julie Maisey

Dr. Penny Sartori is a registered nurse who began researching Near Death Experiences (NDEs) in 1995 after one of her long-term intensive care patients begged her to let him die in peace. The event shook her deeply and eventually led her to enroll in a PhD program to research NDEs. The findings, along with the profound spiritual lessons that she has gleaned from her work, are published here.

During her academic work, Dr. Sartori studied three samples of ICU patients during a five year period. The first consisted of 243 patients from the first year of data collection who survived their ICU experience. Of those, two experienced an NDE, and two an out-of-body experience (OBE). The second cohort consisted of survivors of cardiac arrest during the five year period. Of those, 39 patients (or 18%) experienced an NDE. The third cohort consisted of all the patients who experienced an NDE during the five year period.

Their stories are captured in her new book. One patient in particular, patient number 10, stands out for Dr. Sartori.

When asked about the biggest takeaway from her research, Dr. Sartori says, "In medicine, we're trained to believe that the brain gives rise to consciousness. My research into NDEs has made me question this prevailing paradigm, which admittedly is very widespread. The most important lesson for me has been a deeper appreciation for death and a whole lot less fear and anxiety about it."

In addition to detailing dozens of case studies, the book also discusses childhood NDEs, differences in NDEs among different cultures, and the after-effects of NDEs - one of which is the inability, in some patients, to wear a wrist-watch.

Penny Sartori PhD, RGN is an expert in NDEs and undertook the UK's first long-term prospective study. She is the author of The Near-Death Experiences of Hospitalized Intensive Care Patients: A Five Year Clinical Study and lectures both nationally and internationally.

©2014 Penny Sartori (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Nurse Penny Sartori was driven by an experience with a traumatized dying patient to study near-death experiences, not to pursue what might happen in an afterlife but rather to improve what happens in this life. Her goal was to learn all she could about the dying process in order to help her patients find meaning in their illness and restore a sense of well-being in their lives. The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences, the fruit of her labors, is an invaluable resource for health care workers, for dying patients and their families, and for all of us who will face death eventually.” (Bruce Greyson, M.D., Carlson Professor of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Sciences University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA)

"With more than twenty years experience of nursing dying people in an intensive therapy unit , plus a Ph.D. in Near-death Experiences, Dr. Sartori is very well qualified to discuss issues of death and dying. She believes that NDEs provide us with a greater understanding of the dying process and that care of terminally ill patients could be enhanced if NDEs would more widely studied. A greater acceptance of the inevitability of death would help the situation of terminally ill people. At present they are increasingly exposed to invasive and burdensome treatments even when prospects for recovery are recognised as minimal. This is an immensely valuable contribution to current debates about patient care." (Paul Badham PhD., Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Wales, Trinity, St. David)

Six Stars!

This is an excellent book and is worth reading more than once, a message of love and light after bodily departure. I recommend it to everyone to read this book!
Great performance from Julie Maisey.

Absolutely transformative

Thank you, Dr. Sartori and all the brave individuals who contributed their experiences to this book. My father had two NDEs and my brother had one. I found that the information in this book confirmed everything they told me about their experiences. I am dedicated to passing on their experiences in the hope of creating higher consciousness regarding the wonders of what lies beyond our human experience.

True wisdom

Wish that every living person could read this book - truly transformational. Reveals truths beyond conventional science, and words of wisdom for living - as well as dying.

A must read

wonderful book, with fascinating stories, leaving one reflecting on the power of the mind over death.

inciteful! Thanks for doing so much research1

I totally enjoyed it my only complaint is that sometimes it was unclear to me whether the narrator / author was recanting her own experience or just another one of the patients that she had researched. I also particularly enjoyed that since it was in Europe that the narrator had the British accent again thanks so much well done!

Great book!

This book has a great message and deep meaning. I will definitely listen again. I loved the stories and the scientific data.

Splendid insight on NDEs

Dr. Sartori’s book is a pure delight to listen to ( I have the audiobook format). Having gone through a NDE myself 3 years back, the details and insight from so many people’s precious experiences are so relatable. I consider this a must read for people without a NDE yet who are seekers of the big picture and our purpose of life. Thanks Penny for taking the time and inconvenience that you had to go through for the research leading up to a precious collection.

Amazing!!

The main thing this book did was ignite my passion to explore my own spirituality and understand NDE's even more.

Very insightful read, would recommend

The author's career field (medical) and the way she carved her path in it to get closer to NDE's allowed her to really stack up her own personal research and data through patient outreach and interviews. Just fyi her religious beliefs (typical modern Christianity undertones) do add a bias to some parts of the book , but mostly just through lexicon. She only mentions her faith directly a couple times. As spiritually non-affiliated person, her beliefs didn't pose a threat to the objectivity of her collected data or any of the likes. I will definitely recommend this book for any who express intrigue in NDE's to me.

Insightful Study of NDE

Remarkable stories of NDE patients over two decades of research. Well written and worthy read if anyone interested in the subject.