Near-death experiences (NDEs) have fascinated both the medical community and the general public due to their profound and often transformative effects on individuals. These experiences typically occur in situations where a person is close to death or facing a life-threatening condition. Common elements reported during NDEs include feelings of peace, out-of-body experiences, traveling through a tunnel, encountering a bright light, and meeting deceased loved ones or spiritual beings. The aftermath of such experiences can lead to significant psychological and spiritual changes.
Donald Trump is in the early throes of his NDE, and we have already begun to glimpse how it might have affected him in a positive way. Soon after the shooting, Trump stated he was “serene” and grateful to be alive, easing up on his usual intensity and antagonistic tone. He rewrote his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) to be less divisive and more unifying. However, skeptics saw this as nothing more than political manipulation, interpreting Trump’s call for unity as a way to get everyone in his party unified behind him. That would mean his close encounter with death was not a conversion experience and had no transformative effect at all.
However, research shows that most NDEs do, in fact, have lasting effects, changing someone’s attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior. This is because these experiences challenge our understanding of life and death, not only leaving permanent impressions but, in most cases, experiences described as pleasant, surreal, and even glorious. Indeed, even Trump’s supporters appear to have been affected by the ordeal, firmly believing that he was “saved” for a higher purpose and ordained by God (while Democrats warned he would make himself king).
However, not all NDEs are so affirming; some are deeply disturbing and upsetting. No hard evidence exists to document the frequency of frightening NDEs. The published figures vary widely, indicating that 10 percent to 20 percent are distressing and do not result in psychological alterations for the better. Overall, the aftermath of NDEs underscores the complexity of human consciousness and the profound impact such events can have on an individual’s emotional and spiritual well-being.
A wide range of traumatic events apart from NDEs can act as catalysts for positive change, such as illness, divorce, separation, assault, bereavement, accidents, natural disasters, and terrorism. These observations have been noted for decades, broadly subsumed under the psychology of posttraumatic growth (PTG). The concept of PTG refers to the positive psychological changes that can occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances. NDEs and other traumatic events can both act as catalysts for this type of growth. While these events vary widely, the resulting transformative effects often share common themes, e.g., a reevaluation of life priorities, a deeper appreciation for life, and a heightened sense of personal strength.
The underlying process of PTG underscores the resilience of the human spirit. Whether through the extraordinary lens of an NDE or the more common experiences of life’s struggles, individuals can emerge from trauma with a renewed sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to others. This shared potential for growth highlights the remarkable capacity for personal transformation inherent in facing and overcoming life’s most difficult moments.
One notable example is the case of Eben Alexander, MD, a neurosurgeon who experienced an NDE during a coma caused by bacterial meningitis. He described a journey to a place of profound beauty and peace, which he interpreted as evidence of an afterlife. This experience drastically changed his previously skeptical views on consciousness and spirituality, leading him to advocate for the study of NDEs and write about his experience in Proof of Heaven. Similarly, Anita Moorjani’s NDE during a coma from terminal cancer led her to a full recovery and a newfound sense of purpose and spirituality, which she detailed in her book Dying to Be Me.
In the short time since the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, it remains uncertain if he will change his political approach. The question is whether such a change will happen and, if so, whether it will be permanent. Alternatively, he might continue promoting a political vision that could significantly impact vulnerable populations.
During his lengthy and mostly unscripted speech at the RNC, Trump continued his usual attacks on rivals without shifting away from a narrative of national decline. If there is a new GOP message focused on peace and understanding, it has yet to be prominently featured.
Arthur Lazarus is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He is the author of several books on narrative medicine, including Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue and Narrative Medicine: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling through Essays.
