In this profoundly enlightening episode of "Interviews with Innocence," we are honored to host Dr. P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D., an internationally recognized authority on near-death experiences (NDEs). With a career spanning over 38 years, Dr. Atwater has dedicated her life to researching NDEs, fueled by her personal survival of three near-death episodes. Through her journey, she has authored 18 books, with “The Forever Angels: Near Death Experiences in Childhood and Their Lifelong Impact” being among her most recent and impactful works.
Dr. Atwater's extensive research, which includes interviewing over 5000 individuals from young children who have had NDEs to older adults reflecting on their lifelong impact, brings forth a compelling argument: the near-death experience is a profound consciousness transformation or “brain shift,” rather than an anomaly. This episode delves into how children, in particular, perceive and articulate their encounters with the divine, and how these experiences shape their understanding of life and existence.
Key Insights from Dr. P.M.H. Atwater:
Childhood NDEs: Children's interpretations of near-death experiences diverge significantly from adults'. They often report encountering three distinct lights, a fatherly figure, and various animals and birds, illuminating a unique perspective on the afterlife.
Communication Post-NDE: The importance of engaging with children on their level post-NDE to foster genuine and uninhibited conversations. Dr. Atwater emphasizes the significance of eye-level interaction to avoid influencing children to speak merely to please adults.
Challenges of Reintegration: The struggle many children face reintegrating into "real life" post-NDE, driven by a profound sense of not being understood and a yearning to return to the light they experienced.
Ongoing Life Stream: Dr. Atwater's research suggests that what we often conceptualize as the afterlife is, in fact, part of an ongoing life stream, challenging traditional perceptions of life and death.
Phenomena of Protection: An intriguing account of children in a devastating tornado in Missouri who were reportedly saved by "butterfly people," raising questions about angelic interventions.
Supporting Children with NDEs: The episode emphasizes the importance of allowing children to express their experiences freely through conversation, prayer, rituals, and the creation of personal altars or centerpieces.
Respecting Children's Truths: Acknowledging and honoring the truth in children's descriptions of their experiences without judgment, and the importance of letting children be children.
Personal Growth: Dr. Atwater shares her personal takeaway from her extensive research and experiences: a profound ease and trust in navigating life, even in the most daunting situations.
