James J. Booker III

Many people who come close to dying have vivid near-death experiences (NDEs), writes James J. Booker III in the following viewpoint. Those who have experienced NDEs typically report that they leave their body and are drawn to a bright light that exudes peace and compassion; some people also claim that they encounter dead loved ones and witness a panoramic life review. Booker maintains that the NDE—a psychologically and spiritually transformative event for all who go through it—is a glimpse of life after death. Such experiences should be taken seriously and studied scientifically, he concludes. Booker, a physician, is a member of the International Association for Near-Death Studies.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Booker, what percentage of people who come close to death have NDEs?
2. What...