Near-death Experiences and The Twightzone Part 2

Another "Twilightzone" episode with an after life theme is "A Nice Place to Visit". In this episode, the main character, Rocky Valentine, is a career criminal who get killed by police during a pawn shop burglary. He "awakens" from his death and is greeted by large smiling man, with white hair and beard, wearing a white suite, whose name is Pip. Pip explains to Rocky that he has died and that he (Pip) is his guide. Rocky is suspicious and soon draws his gun and demands Pip's wallet. Pip pleasantly hands over hundreds of dollars to Rocky.

Pip then escorts Rocky to his new home. It's a modern (1960's) apartment with all the current accoutrements. Pip suggests that rocky may want to freshen up. He does and emerges in the next scene showered, shaved and dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. Rocky soon realizes and accepts the fact that he has died. He surmises that he is in heaven and that Pip is an angel because his every wish is being granted. However, he doesn't know how someone like him made it to heaven. Pip escorts Rocky to the "Hall of Records" where they access his file in which all the nefarious activities of his life are recorded. Nothing in his file seems to validate his presence in heaven, but Rocky concludes that "if it's ok with Him (God), it's ok with me".

After being in his new domain for a month Rocky is bored. Although he is able to experience anything he wants (gambling, drinking, dancing, women etc.) he is completely unsatisfied. Rocky contacts Pip and explains his quandary. Everything that he thought he wanted in life is his and it brings no satisfaction whatsoever. He tells Pip that he doesn't really belong here and that he wants to go to "the other place (hell)". Pip who had been very obsequies up until this point sternly looks Rocky in the eyes and tells him "heaven...what made you think you were in heaven? Mr. Valentine....this is the other place!"

Rocky had lived a wanton life, thinking only of himself and his own gratification. After death he awakened the earth plane still attached to his worldly desires. He reviewed his life at the Hall of Records and his deeds speak for themselves. In Rocky's hell he is surrounded by all that he thought would bring pleasure but it actually only produces dissatisfaction and agony. Rocky's experience is similar to many NDE's.

Accounts of near death experiences are one of the learning tools we have at our disposal as we find our path. The personal testimony of someone who has seen the other side is very compelling. Through their experiences we are able to see what has value in the physical life and what is folly. As with other resources that we avail ourselves to, deriving the truth and guiding principals from NDE's bring us closer to our goal of awakening and developing our spirit self.