I was Home with THE sustainer of all life and existence. It wasn’t just a presence; it was a total and ultimate UNION! It was like I was seeing and “feeling” bright colors inside the most beautiful, perfect and brightest light imaginable. A brilliant light, like a million suns with a thousand arms enveloped me...it was a timeless moment.

Then I was slowly moving away from it, and all I felt was an unimaginably pure and infinite love, peace and happiness as I retreated and woke up. It was like falling backwards into the hospital bed through a tunnel, but very rapidly. As I moved away, I was painfully aware of how I was separate again and I was losing the feeling of cosmic unity consciousness that was so profoundly beautiful. Once I was separated again it hurt and I began to cry. I still become emotional when I think of it. I feel that same connection when I recall that moment.

As I was waking up, I tried to speak so I could explain it, but couldn’t form the words. My mouth wouldn’t work. Only tears came. The nurse asked me if I was OK and all I could tell her was, "I think I just had a religious experience.” I wanted to gush forth and tell her what happened in detail but I felt strangely shy about it. I didn't want to come off as too extreme, but the experience was like the line from the song, Across The Universe: “Limitless undying love, which shines around me like a million suns, and calls me on and on across the Universe.”

Now, I love everyone and everything (except cruelty) and I don’t fear death. I hadn’t feared death in the military, as I was even ready and willing to die in the Navy, but now it’s different. It's a profound and ultimate lack of fear. In a way I have a yearning to return to the joy and love I felt at that moment, for UNION with Him, but I know it's not my time to die just yet.