Very few people can speak about the afterlife like Dannion Brinkley, a former US Marine who was declared dead for 28 minutes after being struck by lightning in 1975. He was holding a phone when lightning traveled through the line and into his body, throwing him into the air and temporarily stopping his heart.
During those 28 minutes, Brinkley claims to have had a vivid near-death experience. He recalls floating above his body, watching doctors declare him dead, and traveling through a tunnel into a ‘Crystal City’ where he met a being of light. He also experienced a full life review in a 360-degree panorama.
Despite skepticism, Brinkley stands by his story and has since had two more near-death experiences—once during open heart surgery in 1989 and again during brain surgery. Each time, he says, he gained spiritual insight and a mission to help others.
“When you learn you don’t die… that’s enough to inspire you to change,” he said.