Finding Comfort and Protection After Paranormal Experiences and Near-Death Encounters
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Paranormal experiences and near-death encounters can shake a person’s sense of reality and safety. These events often leave individuals feeling vulnerable, confused, or even frightened. Finding comfort and protection after such intense moments is essential for healing and regaining peace of mind. This post explores practical ways to understand these experiences, cope with their emotional impact, and build a sense of security moving forward.
My Own Cautions: Finding Comfort and Protection After Paranormal Experiences and Near-Death Encounters
4:08 am in the morning, I responded to my father's call for help. Just a few minutes later, moments bridged in short sequence, his heart would stop. His last words to me were, "Please help me."
It was universal, normality of loss that all who love experience and yet each death carries a singularity. And when death happens in a quick, unpredictable moment instead of a near projection of an end, it can leave us with questions.
And I certainly had questions. And sought them. As a paranormal investigator and spiritual person, I sought those answers with the familiar tactics of these interests. I ghost hunted. I investigated. I watched and observed. But unlike in investigations before, there was an underlying of emotional investment so profound, it was if the very act of seeking was destroying. And the object of that destruction...was me.
No matter how many cameras were recording, questions asked, pictures taken, seeking answers to my father's death, the only response I received during my time of sorrow, was a silence not even whispered back to me from the beyond. I experienced nothing.
And this silence was loud and telling. And my life enduring that silence is best explored in a different writing, if, Dear Reader, you wish to do so, please scroll down to find my Substack link where I explore this topic more there.
For now just know that with every attempt to understand the unknown. To chase the spiritual realm, it fed a sorrow that turned to dispare, which turned to depression. I had lost my way. My path had grown dark. I turned resentful. Bitter. And in the end, I realized that ghost hunting and the loss of someone you love can be a dangerous marriage in an attempt for answers.
Having learned the lesson, I now approach every supernatural event experienced as a miracle. I am thankful I see the world and all of its wonders. Now, my explorations are from a strong base of knowing who I am. My boundaries are set. And I explore with an open heart and mind by just asking for what is there to come and no matter what, welcoming whatever answer or silence responds.
For a more personal and intimate reflection on my reflections of a soul that fractures and loses its way after the loss of a loved one, I explore it on Substack here →https://croneinahauntedwoods.substack.com
Understanding Paranormal and Near-Death Experiences
Before seeking comfort, it helps to understand what these experiences might mean. Paranormal events can include seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained sounds, or sensing presences that others do not perceive. Near-death experiences (NDEs) often involve feelings of leaving the body, moving through a tunnel, or encountering bright lights and beings of light.
Both types of experiences challenge our usual understanding of life and death. They may raise questions about existence, spirituality, and what happens after death. Recognizing that these experiences are reported worldwide and across cultures can help normalize your feelings. Many people find that these moments, while unsettling, can also offer insights or a new perspective on life.
Recent Studies Attempting to Understand Near-Death Experiences
In recent years, scientists have taken a closer look at near-death experiences (NDEs), with several prominent studies coming out of the University of Virginia (UVA). Rather than focusing only on what happens in the brain during trauma or cardiac arrest, this newer research also examines the long-term psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects reported by people who have had NDEs. Together, these findings challenge strictly biological explanations and raise new questions about the nature of consciousness.
Key Recent Findings
Brain Activity and Conscious Awareness
Research conducted at UVA and other institutions, including studies involving patients in cardiac arrest, has documented brief surges of gamma brain waves—patterns typically associated with heightened awareness and complex cognition. While some scientists argue these bursts may simply reflect a brain under extreme stress, others note the timing is intriguing, as it coincides with moments when conscious experience would traditionally be considered impossible. The debate remains unresolved as to whether this activity explains NDEs or merely accompanies the dying process.
Lasting Psychological and Spiritual Transformation
Many individuals who report NDEs describe profound changes afterward. These can include a reduced fear of death, heightened spirituality, and a reevaluation of personal values and priorities. Despite the often positive core elements—such as feelings of peace, light, or unity—some experiencers also report feelings of isolation, noting that the depth and intensity of the experience can be difficult to communicate to others.
Memories That Feel “More Real Than Real”
UVA researchers have used established psychological tools, including the Memory Characteristics Questionnaire, to study how NDE memories are recalled. Results suggest these memories are often described as more vivid, detailed, and emotionally intense than memories of ordinary life events. Notably, participants frequently rate these memories as feeling exceptionally real, even though they did not occur during normal waking consciousness.
Recurring Patterns Across Cultures
Across many studies, similar themes continue to emerge regardless of cultural background or belief system. Common elements include sensations of leaving the body, moving through a tunnel, encountering a bright light, meeting deceased relatives or beings, experiencing a life review, and feeling overwhelming calm or love. The consistency of these reports has become a central point of interest for researchers.
Questions Beyond Biology
Some of the most controversial findings involve reports of detailed perception—such as observing events from outside the body—during periods when standard medical monitoring shows little to no measurable brain activity. Researchers like Jeffrey Long have argued that such accounts may indicate consciousness can function independently of the physical brain, a possibility explored in peer-reviewed journals such as Psychology of Consciousness.
Have you had events of supernatural perception outside of you body? This author would be honored to hear of your experience, simple comment in this post's comment section. I thank you ahead of time. ~Dez
Emotional Impact and Common Reactions
People who go through paranormal or near-death experiences often report a range of emotions:
Fear or anxiety about what happened and what it means
Confusion or disbelief about the reality of the event
A sense of isolation if others do not believe or understand
Curiosity or a desire to explore spiritual or metaphysical ideas
Relief or peace, especially after a near-death experience that felt comforting
It is normal to feel unsettled or overwhelmed. These reactions show that your mind and body are processing something profound. Allow yourself time to adjust and avoid rushing to conclusions or judgments about the experience.
Practical Steps to Find Comfort
Create a Safe Environment
Your physical space can influence your sense of security. Consider these steps:
Use soft lighting like candles or lamps to create warmth
Add items that feel protective, such as crystals, religious symbols, or meaningful objects
Play calming music or nature sounds to soothe your mind
Keep your space tidy and free of clutter to reduce stress
A peaceful environment helps ground you and reduces feelings of vulnerability.
For those who want a physical reminder of protection, presence, and meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen and spiritual symbolism in my Haunted Traverse shop.
Practice Grounding Techniques
Grounding brings your attention back to the present moment and your body. Try these methods:
Deep breathing exercises: Inhale slowly for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four
Mindful walking: Focus on the sensation of your feet touching the ground
Sensory awareness: Notice five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste
These techniques calm anxiety and help you feel more connected to your surroundings.
Books exploring near-death experiences, spiritual encounters, and comfort after loss can provide reassurance and perspective.
Seek Support from Trusted People
Talking about your experience with someone who listens without judgment can be healing. This might be:
A close friend or family member who respects your feelings
A religious figure, counselor or therapist familiar with trauma or spiritual experiences
A support group for people who have had similar encounters
Sharing your story reduces isolation and can provide new perspectives. This was my biggest mistake made when working through my father's passing. I never sought others to guide and help me. I tried to do it alone. The result was prolonged suffering in a life not lived well.
Building a Sense of Protection
After a paranormal or near-death experience, feeling protected is crucial. Here are ways to build that sense:
Use Symbolic Protection
Many cultures use symbols or rituals to create a feeling of safety. You might:
Wear or carry protective talismans like rosaries, amulets or stones
Use sage or incense to cleanse your space
Recite prayers, affirmations, or mantras that resonate with you
These actions can empower you and reinforce your boundaries.
For Spiritual, Wiccan or Natural Arts Practitioners Seeking Protection and Healing
Establish Personal Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries helps you control your environment and interactions. This includes:
Saying no to situations or people that increase your stress
Limiting exposure to media or stories that trigger fear
Creating routines that include self-care and rest and journaling
Boundaries protect your energy and mental health.
Explore Spiritual or Philosophical Practices
Many find comfort in exploring beliefs that provide meaning. This might involve:
Meditation or prayer to connect with a higher power or inner peace
Reading spiritual texts or philosophy that address life after death
Engaging in creative expression like journaling or art to process feelings
These practices can offer hope and a framework to understand your experience.
When to Seek Professional Help
If feelings of fear, anxiety, or confusion persist and interfere with daily life, professional support can help. Therapists trained in trauma or spiritual counseling can provide tools to manage distress. Medical evaluation is also important if physical symptoms accompany your experience.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and a step toward healing. I waited 10 years before seeking guidance from a counselor. Don't make my same mistake. It was 10 years of needless suffering of me and by me to me.
Real-Life Example
Consider the story of Elizabeth, who survived being struck by lightning. During her near-death experience, she observed her body after the strike and activity she should not within the confines of modern science have been able to experience. During her NDA, a light appeared that seemed sentient and she was taken to a garden. After returning to life, she struggled with fear and questions about what she saw.
I have observed many people who fear death or experience NDEs, find comfort in hearing others share their own NDEs. Here are some more helpful tips:
Creating a quiet meditation space with candles and crystals
Joining a support group for NDE survivors
Practicing grounding exercises daily
Reading books on spirituality that helped her find meaning
Over time, People with questions about near death experiences can transform their fears into curiosities and strengths, feeling protected by their new understanding.
Conclusion
Finding Comfort and Protection After Paranormal Experiences and Near-Death Encounters can fundamentally alter how a person views the world, themselves, and their place within it. When reality feels disrupted, it’s natural to seek answers, reassurance, and a renewed sense of safety. While no single explanation or practice fits everyone, understanding that these experiences are both deeply personal and widely reported can ease feelings of isolation and fear.
Healing often begins with grounding—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Taking time to process what happened, seeking supportive communities or professionals, and adopting protective or calming practices can help restore balance. Whether someone interprets their experience through a spiritual, psychological, or scientific lens, the goal remains the same: to feel whole, safe, and empowered again.
Ultimately, these encounters do not have to be defined solely by fear or uncertainty. With patience, self-compassion, and the right tools, they can become part of a broader journey toward understanding, resilience, and inner peace.
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I explore the emotional and personal side of haunted travel and spiritual curiosity in my Substack reflections. Substack Here.
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For those drawn to paranormal symbolism and spiritual meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen in my Haunted Traverse shop.
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