Dr. Marco Masi will approach Near-Death Experiences (‘NDEs’) from a (neuro)scientific point of view, highlighting the role of the brain from the perspective of Integral Yoga. On several occasions, Sri Aurobindo described the brain as an instrument of consciousness and the mind, not an organ producing them. This allows us to see NDEs from a whole new perspective revealing their deeper significance, telling us something about our spiritual nature, and looking beyond a materialistic conception of our body, life, and mind.

Dr. Don Salmon will invite you to consider the following: NDEs have been shown to have many powerful effects on the lives of those who experience them, but the most powerful is a complete loss of fear of death.  All of us who are disciples of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have heard for years, perhaps decades, that we are, in truth, deathless. But how many of us carry the realization of our deathless nature with us, day to day, from moment to moment.  What can we learn from NDEs – integrating the neuroscientific knowledge Marco is presenting with the truth that we are not a “death bound littleness” – that we can apply in a very practical way to our daily lives?