“What Do We Learn from ‘Near Death’ (’Death to Life’) Experiences?”
Jan Holden, EdD Ali Ghasemian, MA Natasha
Tassel-Matamua, PhD
Tuesday, September 8, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
We are in for a rare treat to have three researchers of "near death experiences" from three different cultures to share the findings in the West, in Iran among Shiite Muslims, and among the Mori of New Zealand. They will share both from their mind and their hearts the fascinating findings in this burgeoning research that has implications across faith traditions.
Dr. Janice Holden has been of the faculty of the University of North Texas since 1988 and is Professor and Chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Her doctoral dissertation focused on near-death or other transpersonal experiences. She lead-edited the 2009 Handbook of Near-Death Experiences and served five years on the board of directors of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, three as President, and serves currently as editor of IANDS’s peer-reviewed Journal of Near-Death Studies.
Ali Ghasemian is a PhD candidate at Chamran University in Ahvaz, Iran. He is a “near death experiences” researcher focused in particular on Shiite Muslim Iranian NDErs. He is also founder of the first Persian website about NDE research.
Dr. Natasha Tassell-Matamua is a Fulbright Scholar of the people of Mori and Pkeh (European) descent of New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Since completing her PhD in 2009, Tash has focused on developing a research program dedicated to near-death experiences and other extraordinary experiences of consciousness. Tash was co-principal investigator of the first large-scale study of NDEs in the New Zealand population.
Following their non-technical presentations, participants will meet in clusters to discuss their personal reactions to the information that has been presented.
The 2nd Community programs offer information, but our primary objective is for participants to become engaged with each other. We believe that we best bridge whatever separates us from those from cultures and religious traditions different from our own by getting to know each other as human beings with similar aspirations for our lives.
Because the 2nd Monday of September conflicts with Rosh Hashanha, we are scheduling the September program the day after Labor Day. Please join us on September 8 and put the 2nd Monday of the month on your calendar through November. As the program unfolds you will learn about varied faith viewpoints about death as we explore “How do we prepare for our own death?” “What do we expect after death?” “How do we deal with the death of those we love?” “How do we talk to our children about death?"
Northaven provides child care without charge to enable parents to attend events. You may request child care when you register. The church needs 48 hours notice, with information about the number and age of children.