The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

Broadcasting from the Great Beyond

a book review by Donna Harris

What happens to us when we die? This has to be one of humanity’s greatest questions. After all, once you find out, there’s no way to let anyone else in on the answer.

Pim van Lommel is a cardiologist from the Netherlands. During his long career, he has resuscitated untold numbers of cardiac arrest survivors, and became intrigued by their stories of Near Death Experiences (NDEs). In addition to reviewing the available literature and past studies, in 2001 van Lommel’s interest drove him to lead his own larger study of cardiac arrest patients. While that study was published in the prestigious British medical journal Lancet, and van Pommel has published scientific papers and authored chapters in other medical works, this is his first book.

The book itself is readable and organized. We’re led deeper into the subject, as the author first establishes a historical foundation by recounting a description of the NDE phenomenon, then lays the groundwork for his theory, which essentially applies quantum physics to biological systems. The early chapters on the actual reported contents of NDEs are an entertaining primer through these experiences.

It’s easy to agree with his observation that NDEs occur when the brain is essentially stopped. If there is no blood flow, and no electrical activity, how can the cells in the brain continue to register visual and auditory input?

Van Lommel’s answer is that consciousness is not just located in the brain, but is a result of electro-magnetic fields that hold experiences and are non-local and possibly eternal. He asserts the analogy that much like a TV or radio station continues to broadcast even when we have no receiver to pick up the station, our consciousness continues to function after the death of the body and brain.

As the reader progresses through the book, there are questions not addressed that detract from the author’s message. The fact that all the research is far from gold-standard double-blind studies, but is instead based on self-reported surveys and interviews — in many cases years after the initial event — casts serious doubt on the accuracy of those memories.

Van Lommel also mentions an increase in “psychic” or intuitive abilities by NDErs, without even blinking a skeptical eye. Since any type of paranormal or intuitive power remains unproven, it is troubling that the author doesn’t question these abilities, and just includes them as accepted facts.

Van Lommel’s theories of the origins of consciousness are based on theories in quantum physics and the role of DNA. The lay reader can only assume that van Lommel is interpreting the theories correctly, since he himself is not a physicist or an evolutionary biologist, but a medical doctor. But they make for interesting, if not challenging, reading. Be prepared for your brain to hurt, and some readers may want to review these sections more than once.

Another area that deserves further exploration involves the differences between survivors. In his own study, van Lommel reports that of 344 cardiac arrest survivors, 62 patients (18%) reported a Near Death Experience. However, that still leaves 82% (282 patients) who didn’t. And there were no striking differences between the two groups, such as duration of arrest, medication used, etc. If van Lommel’s theory is correct, what accounts for the different experiences? Why were the radio stations of the non-NDE patients not broadcasting?

Despite the fact that Van Lommel fails to convince skeptical readers that his ideas and theories are correct, the author remains sympathetic in that he doesn’t take an aggressive, “here’s my magic answer” approach. He clearly states that he is presenting a hypothesis and, as far as the lay reader can tell, it appears to be worthy of more exploration and consideration, even though some may argue the whole idea lacks plausibility.

Overall, the book is an interesting exploration of the phenomenon of the near death experience, and worth the read if you wish to think and be challenged. But in the end he did not convince this skeptic.