Dr. Sam Parnia of the Weill Cornell Medical Center discussed the results of his studies of near-death experiences (NDEs), based on patients who went into cardiac arrest. About 10-20% of these patients reported having an NDE. Their descriptions included being at peace, seeing a welcoming light, deceased relatives coming to greet them, a sense of judging themselves, seeing a being made of light, and something symbolic (like a river or gate) that tells them if they go beyond it, they can't come back.

After having an NDE, some patients report being transformed by the experience, becoming less selfish, less materialistic, and less afraid of dying. He also detailed cases of "deathbed lucidity," where 24 hours before dying, terminally ill people describe seeing beings of light, or deceased relatives. One of the most profound NDE cases he studied was that of a three-year old boy, who later drew pictures of his experience. 'When you die, you see a bright lamp, and you're connected by a cord to it,' the boy explained to him.

Dr. Parnia has concluded that "the whole concept of what we are...mind & consciousness, doesn't seem to disintegrate after people have died, at least not in the first phase of death." This has been borne out by the fairly recent field of resuscitation science, using drugs or CPR to restart the heart, he explained. In 2008, Parnia launched the world's largest-ever study of near-experiences-- The AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) study, which will yield further evidence and results.

Mysterious Bird Die-Off

First hour guests, radio host Alex Jones and researcher Nick Begich commented on the recent bird die-off in Beebe, Arkansas (around 2,000 blackbirds fell to their deaths over a one-mile area) and the connection to possible secret testing or experiments. The birds' organs were pulverized internally, almost liquefied, and one of the prime suspects as to the cause would be some type of electromagnetic test or energy weapons, said Jones. It's possible that Project HAARP, some type of micro blast, or strange weather manipulation might be the explanation, Begich added. For more, see this article by Jones and Paul Watson.