What really happens when we die? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? A surprising number of people have died and lived to tell the tale-an estimated 15 million Americans and 4 to 5 percent of the global population have had a near-death experience. "The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences" is the encyclopedia of this phenomenon, including crucial research regarding the experience, its aftereffects, and the implications for all of us who someday will shed this mortal coil. This book explores the possibility of the soul, God, other worlds, heaven and hell, the afterlife, religion, and the purpose of life. It investigates and reports on the power of changed lives, the expansion of normal faculties, and the importance of spirituality. With drawings, cartoons, and sidebars from experts, "The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences" is also simple and accessible, designed for the busy reader who wants quick little nuggets of wisdom. If you want to know what lies ahead, this book gives you a road map while exploring and affirming the presence of a spirit and the ultimate power of love.