A couple of weeks ago I caught a programme on Compass about near death experiences. (Compass may be billed as a religious show, but contrary to what you might think, isn’t always deadly dull and boring. They have some quite interesting stuff.)

I’ve long been interested in what might be out there after death. The programme talked to a number of people who have had near death experiences, and it was interesting that for the most part what they saw was very similar. A lot spoke of floating above their bodies, often seeing things that they couldn’t possibly have seen unless conscious, later confirmed by medical staff present. For many the experience felt like a very calm one, filled with light and feelings of love. Some spoke of regret that they had to come back, and the “pain” of re-entering their bodies.

The programme also talked to people researching the topic, with the view to shedding some light on the question of whether the mind can keep living after the body is dead. They appeared to be taking quite a detached, scientific view, relying on witness statements together with medical information logged from during the incidents.

Perhaps I’ve been thinking about death a bit too much. But I’m not religious, and not about to go and change, nor would I just “go through the motions”. (Because if you don’t actually believe, it’s pointless, I’d argue.) So as I get older, it may come of something of a comfort that so many have experienced something out there.