Researching Children's Extrasensory Experiences: Insights and Implications

Children's extrasensory experiences reveal profound insights into consciousness, challenging conventional views on reality and self.

### Exploring Consciousness: Children's Extrasensory Experiences and Near-Death Studies
* 👶 A recent pilot study researched **near-death and extrasensory experiences** among children aged 6 to 18, some of whom have been **resuscitated after dying multiple times** in ICUs.
* ✨ The children reported experiences of engaging with unseen beings and described a consistent "**loving darkness**" and a sense of "**moving through spirals towards a light**," which they interpreted as a feeling of "**going home**."
* 📚 Donna, co-director of I-CREATES and a linguistics PhD holder, shares that her personal experiences of **near-death and out-of-body moments** in childhood motivated her to study these phenomena in children.
* 💔 She emphasizes the importance of involving children in research as **active partners**, rather than **passive subjects**, to capture their **unique perspectives** on consciousness and experiences **beyond typical understanding**.
* 🎨 The research employs creative methodologies, such as **art and play**, to facilitate communication with children about their experiences, as traditional verbal interviews may not be suitable for **younger participants**.
* 🌈 One notable case involved a girl who, during recovery from a suicide attempt, experienced **overwhelming gratitude and love**, ultimately leading her to stop her depression medication, suggesting **potential self-healing** through these experiences.
* 🔍 The study aims to challenge the prevailing biomedical model, which often **dismisses children's experiences as mere imagination**, and to explore the **deeper implications of these experiences** on understanding consciousness and the self.
* 📊 The research seeks to establish a new narrative that recognizes the **validity of children's experiences** and their **potential contributions to our understanding of consciousness**, particularly in a society that often **overlooks their insights**.

### Exploring Consciousness: Children’s Experiences and the Shift from Materialism to Idealism
* 🧠 The discussion around consciousness often dismisses subjective experiences, particularly in children, as **mere dysfunctions of the brain**, leading to a **narrow understanding of their significance**.
* 👶 Research shows a higher incidence of unusual experiences in children with medical conditions like epilepsy, suggesting that **inflammation may alter brain function** rather than solely producing consciousness.
* 🌈 Interestingly, studies on adult psychedelic users revealed **decreased brain activity** during heightened experiences, challenging the notion that **increased brain function** is necessary for consciousness.
* 👩 The prevailing materialist view often labels children's experiences as "**psychotic-like**," failing to explore these phenomena through **alternative lenses** that could **validate their experiences**.
* 📚 The author advocates for analytical idealism, a philosophical perspective that posits **consciousness as a fundamental aspect of reality**, resonating with their own experiences and those of children.
* 💬 There is a call for integrating philosophical inquiry into social sciences, emphasizing the **importance of understanding ontology** and the **relationality of self** in research involving children.
* 🌀 The research highlights the need for a **paradigm shift** in how society perceives children's experiences, advocating for a **more holistic approach** that recognizes their **potential** rather than pathologizing them.
* 🌍 The book aims to initiate conversations about children's **unexplained experiences**, providing a supportive framework for parents and educators to engage with these phenomena **positively and constructively**.

Is Death A Lie? | NDE Researcher Dr. Donna Thomas

Essentia Foundation

Pilot Study on Near-Death Experiences in Children

A pilot study researched near-death and extra-sensory experiences in children aged 6-18.

Common experiences included interacting with unseen beings, moving through spirals, and experiencing a loving darkness.

The research suggests that the brain doesn't produce consciousness.

The study emphasizes the importance of considering children's perspectives on consciousness.

Introduction of Donna, the researcher, and her background.

Donna's Personal Experiences and Research Motivation

Donna's research is driven by personal experiences and a career focused on children's services.

She describes two significant childhood extrasensory experiences: a near-death experience at age 5 and a car crash at age 15.

The first experience involved an out-of-body experience after being hit by a motorbike.

The second involved an out-of-body experience during a serious car crash, characterized by intense fear followed by peace and love.

She discusses the challenges of integrating such experiences and the societal lack of support for them.

Researching *With* Children, Not *On* Children

Donna emphasizes the importance of involving children as research partners, not just subjects.

Children's creativity and insights are highlighted when they are active participants.

The research uses qualitative methods, valuing children's experiences as expert knowledge.

Example of a pilot study on near-death experiences in children in an ICU setting.

Transcendental experiences, including interactions with unseen beings and out-of-body experiences, are common.

Children describe beings of various shapes and sizes, often drawing them.

A case study of a young girl who experienced gratitude and expansion after a suicide attempt.

This case suggests a potential self-healing aspect of such experiences.

The current mental health system often misinterprets these experiences.

Research methods adapt to the age group, using storybooks, drawings, and play for younger children.

The challenge of avoiding bias and ensuring accurate reporting from children is discussed.

The importance of rigorous research methods in qualitative studies with children is emphasized.

The subjective validity of children's experiences is highlighted.

The researcher addresses the question of reality and imagination in children's accounts.

Comparison of Children's and Adults' Experiences

Children and adults share similar experiences, but children's near-death experiences often involve a loving darkness and spirals instead of tunnels and bright lights.

The source of children's knowledge about near-death experiences is questioned.

Premonitions and telepathic experiences are also common in children.

The concept of a transpersonal self is introduced.

Philosophical Underpinnings and Conclusion

The research points towards analytical idealism as a philosophical explanation for the experiences.

Analytical idealism posits reality as a field of subjectivity.

The importance of ontology in social sciences is discussed.

Critique of materialism's assumption of humans as machines.

The research explores phenomenal consciousness and the question of 'what it is like' to be someone.