<P> Researchers have identified the common elements that define near - death experiences . Bruce Greyson argues that the general features of the experience include impressions of being outside one's physical body, visions of deceased relatives and religious figures, and transcendence of egotic and spatiotemporal boundaries . Many common elements have been reported, although the person's interpretation of these events often corresponds with the cultural, philosophical, or religious beliefs of the person experiencing it . For example, in the USA, where 46% of the population believes in guardian angels, they will often be identified as angels or deceased loved ones (or will be unidentified), while Hindus will often identify them as messengers of the god of death . </P> <P> Common traits that have been reported by NDErs are as follows: </P> <Ul> <Li> A sense / awareness of being dead . </Li> <Li> A sense of peace, well - being and painlessness . Positive emotions . A sense of removal from the world . </Li> <Li> An out - of - body experience . A perception of one's body from an outside position . Sometimes observing medical professionals performing resuscitation efforts . </Li> <Li> A "tunnel experience" or entering a darkness . A sense of moving up, or through, a passageway or staircase . </Li> <Li> A rapid movement toward and / or sudden immersion in a powerful light (or "Being of Light") which communicates with the person . </Li> <Li> An intense feeling of unconditional love and acceptance . </Li> <Li> Encountering "Beings of Light", "Beings dressed in white", or similar . Also, the possibility of being reunited with deceased loved ones . </Li> <Li> Receiving a life review, commonly referred to as "seeing one's life flash before one's eyes". </Li> <Li> Receiving knowledge about one's life and the nature of the universe . </Li> <Li> Approaching a border or a decision by oneself or others to return to one's body, often accompanied by a reluctance to return . </Li> <Li> Suddenly finding oneself back inside one's body . </Li> <Li> Connection to the cultural beliefs held by the individual, which seem to dictate some of the phenomena experienced in the NDE and particularly the later interpretation thereof . </Li> </Ul> <Li> A sense / awareness of being dead . </Li>

A common theme that runs through many different people's near-death experiences is
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