Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are a mystifying and challenging state of consciousness. The incredible experiences reported by survivors of NDEs, such as out-of-body travel and soul-transforming peace and cosmic light, are stimulating interdisciplinary research in several fields, from the medical to the mystical. The Near Death Experience: A Reader is the most comprehensive collection of NDE cases and interpretations ever assembled for this rapidly growing field. Edited by Lee W. Bailey and Jenny Yates, this book encompasses a broad range of disciplines. Psychological researchers discuss cognitive models and Jungian theories of meaningful archetypal phenomena such as enlightenment and healing transformation. From the biological perspective, The Near Death Experience: A Reader describes how brains near death may produce soothing endorphins, optical illusions, and convincing hallucinations. Philosophers present empirical analyses and images in archetypal theories, and the symbolic language of comparative phenomenological theories. Christian, Jewish and Mormon responses to NDEs outline the religious perspective, and through discussion of the Native American Black Elk's NDE and the classic Tibetan Book of the Dead, the mystical and spiritual interpretations of NDEs are also explored. The rapidly growing study of NDEs raises many questions such as What is death? What after-effects do NDEs have? Can science and religion agree on any interpretations? With insightful analyses of many cases of NDEs, including Black Elk, Plato, Carl Jung, Eddie Rickenbacker, Betty Eadie and Dannion Brinkley, The Near-Death Experience: A Reader is the most up-to-date guide to research in the field.