6.5 Conclusions

The books by Raymond Moody, as well as the french book “La vie après la mort – Pourquoi il faut y croire” (i.e. Life After Death – Why It Should Be Believed) by Olivier Chambon and Marie-Odile Riffard, profoundly transformed my perception of death.

These works led me to question the idea—deeply rooted in my traditional Christian upbringing—that death would be a final judgment, permanently sealing our fate. On the contrary, the testimonies they compile suggest that death is a transition to another plane of existence, where consciousness survives and where the soul can continue to evolve and grow spiritually.

One striking element of many near-death experiences is the life review: individuals relive their entire existence, often through the eyes of others—feeling the emotions they themselves caused through their words and actions. This process is not punitive. It is a profound awakening, intended to foster learning and inner transformation.

Howard Storm’s testimony particularly moved me. He recounts that after having rejected God throughout his life, he found himself—following clinical death—immersed in a distressing darkness. And yet, God did not impose Himself upon him. He respected that refusal to the very end. But He also offered a way out: an inner voice gently encouraged him to pray. This simple act of openness changed everything—he was rescued and guided toward a light of unconditional love.

Some accounts of negative near-death experiences describe states of suffering: isolation, anguish, darkness, sometimes even fire, pain, and dark entities. However, these trials seem less like condemnations than initiatory passages designed to provoke a radical awakening—a call to inner conversion.

Many witnesses also report encountering a being of light, an angel, a spiritual guide, or even Jesus himself. These encounters are described as overwhelming, suffused with absolute love, and often accompanied by spiritual revelations. The main messages that recur insistently are:

• You are deeply loved: Each person is welcomed by a divine presence (light, Jesus, God) who loves them unconditionally, without judgment or condemnation.
• The purpose of life is to love and to serve: Earthly life is an opportunity to learn to love others and to contribute to the common good through service.
• Earth is a spiritual school: Life—and even suffering—aims to help the soul evolve, and this process continues after death in other planes of existence.

One striking fact stands out: none of the testimonies I have read—nor those reported in the books mentioned—emphasize doctrinal points specific to any particular religion.

Howard Storm recounts that during his experience he was able to ask many questions to Jesus and to several angels. In his book My Descent into Death, he reports having asked, “What is the best religion?” He explains: