Eventually NDE travelers realize that other living humans are unable to see or hear them-a revelation that often seems to bring on the "tunnel-light" phase of their journey. They find themselves drawn toward a brilliant golden or white light often seen through a tunnel. At this point usually a spirit guide, either a deceased loved one or an angel will greet them and accompany them into the light. This light is like no other light they have ever seen. It is absolute pure love, pure warmth, and it surrounds them with complete understanding, empathy, and unconditional love.

From this all-consuming light of pure love often comes a powerful being of light. The traveler now finds himself in the presence of God. Some describe this being as the Creator, as the Virgin Mary, or simply as the all-loving being. During their experience the traveler feels a oneness with the Universe. The light is so intense that it penetrates the traveler; it knows and understands everything about the traveler. Senses such as sight and smell become detailed and greatly enhanced. Some people experience vivid colorful gardens and waterfalls, beautiful music or chimes.

At this moment in the presence of the light being, the traveler will experience a panoply of his life's events occurring concurrently rather than in sequence. Every deed, every action, every thought from birth through his near-death experience is reviewed. During this replay the traveler sees not just his own life but how his life impacted those around him. The traveler is both viewing and participating in the events. Unanimously, the elements of life that surface as being the most important in these reviews are the small acts of love and kindness we perform for others. Financial wealth, achievement, or success are insignificant.

After spending time with this being of light, the traveler is usually asked to return to his body. This suggestion is always met with great resistance as they wish to stay in the presence of this understanding and loving being. They then recall being shoved back into a cold lifeless body. Pain returns. In some cases the traveler re=enters the body in the morgue or as in the case of Dr. George Rodonaia, during the beginning of an autopsy.

NDEs tend to profoundly impact a person's life after the experience. Most significantly, people lose their fear of death forever-as a result of learning that there is no death. They also become more appreciative of life and more compassionate and loving towards others. People's lives take on a greater importance, and they feel they have been returned to this world to fulfill a mission. They become not necessarily more religious, but more spiritual. Many write books or lecture about their experience, and some even quit their jobs to become ministers. They possess a much greater awareness of their spiritual existence and feel spiritually connected with the Universe. Death becomes the door to this connection. After the experience, some people demonstrate new supernatural ability such as telepathy, clairvoyance, or the power to heal (see chapters on Extraterrestrial Life, Miracles and Angels, and Extrasensory Perception).

Significantly, some people must realize that they cannot take their own life if they want to return to paradise, and those who have attempted suicide usually experience a negative NDE or are informed by the light being that they will have to relive those aspects of their life that led to their suicide. Overwhelmingly, the consistent message brought back with NDE travelers is the great importance of love and that life truly is eternal.