Struck By Lightning And Clinically Dead - What This Man Says He Saw When His Heart Stopped

Back in 1975, a U.S. Marine named Dannion Brinkley experienced something few people live to talk about. He was struck by lightning, a rare and often fatal event with odds of about one in 15,000.

Paramedics responded quickly, rushing Brinkley to the nearest hospital. However, after flatlining, doctors officially declared him dead. Roughly thirty minutes later, something extraordinary happened. Brinkley awoke, not in a hospital bed, but in the morgue.

Now 74, the businessman has spent the last five decades sharing what he says happened during those moments when he hovered between life and death. According to him, his soul existed in a space somewhere between heaven and Earth.

Brinkley is adamant about one thing: there is life after death. He has described his experience in numerous interviews over the years and firmly believes that death is not something people should fear.

In a conversation with KLAS, Brinkley recounted the surreal moment his soul left his body. “It went into the side of my head above my ear; it went down my spine,” he said, describing the instant the lightning struck.

“It threw me up in the air; I see the ceiling, it slams me back down, a ball of fire comes through the room and blinds me. I am burning.

"I am on fire. I am paralyzed."

Brinkley also described seeing a sudden burst of light as his soul separated from his body, followed by a rapid playback of his entire life—a flashback that began at the moment he was hit.

After he was revived, the road to recovery was long and difficult. He had to relearn how to walk, a process that took two full years before he could move normally again.

What makes Brinkley’s story even more remarkable is that this was not his only brush with death. He has reportedly experienced multiple near-death events throughout his life, which only strengthened his conviction about the existence of an afterlife.

Whether skeptics believe him or not, Brinkley remains unwavering in his message: death, he says, is not the end—it’s just the beginning of something else.

"It went into the side of my head above my ear, it went down my spine."

Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency

In an unexpected turn of fate, ten years after his lightning strike ordeal, Dannion Brinkley once again found himself on the edge of death.

Following a period of serious health complications, the former Marine was advised to undergo open-heart surgery, a procedure that would bring him face to face with the afterlife for a second time. According to Brinkley, his soul once again left his body during the operation.

In his memoir, Saved by the Light, he described what happened during this second near-death experience. He wrote that he was "reunited with his angelic instructors" while his physical body lay on the operating table.

After this second brush with the beyond, Brinkley claimed he returned not only with a renewed sense of purpose but also with heightened spiritual and psychic abilities. He has since dedicated his life to helping others in their final moments, using what he calls his "gifts" to support the dying and the desperate.

Brinkley went on to counsel terminally ill patients and fellow military veterans, offering guidance, comfort, and a message of hope to those confronting death, a subject he knows all too well.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a leading expert in integrative medicine, emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma and the mind-body connection in healing experiences like Brinkley's.

He notes that near-death experiences can lead to profound insights about life, often prompting individuals to reassess their values and priorities.

Dr. Weil suggests that engaging in practices such as mindfulness meditation or yoga can help individuals process their experiences and integrate their newfound insights into daily life.

By focusing on holistic wellness, individuals can potentially enhance their emotional resilience and improve their mental health following traumatic events.

Brinkley teaches others not to be afraid of death

Star Tribune

"So, when you learn you don’t die, when you learn you’re a spiritual being, you’re not going to go to hell," Brinkley told KLAS.

"That’s enough to inspire you to change."

Sharing more about his belief in the afterlife, he added: "Nobody dies. It never happens.

"It’s not a part of the nature of reality; it’s not."

Brinkley’s perspective on death aligns with a growing body of research that explores what happens during and after clinical death. Dr. Sam Parnia, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, also weighed in on the topic during an interview with The New York Post.

"There are signs of normal and near-normal brain activity found up to an hour into resuscitation," Dr. Parnia explained.

"We were not only able to show the markers of lucid consciousness—we were also able to show that these experiences are unique and universal," she continued, referencing findings from a report by the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

"They’re different from dreams, illusions, and delusions."

A psychologist specializing in near-death experiences, Dr. Bruce Greyson, discusses how these events can lead to transformative changes in individuals.

His research indicates that people often report an increased appreciation for life and a newfound sense of purpose after such experiences.

Dr. Greyson advocates for the importance of storytelling in these contexts, noting that sharing experiences can foster connection and understanding among those who've faced similar situations.

He recommends creating support groups for individuals who have experienced trauma, as shared narratives can be healing and validating.

Moving Forward: Actionable Steps

In conclusion, Brinkley's experience highlights the complex interplay between traumatic events and personal transformation. Insights from experts like Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Bruce Greyson reveal that understanding and processing these experiences is crucial for emotional healing.

Strategies such as mindfulness practices and community support can significantly enhance recovery and promote a deeper understanding of one’s life purpose. By embracing resilience and connection, individuals can navigate their journeys more effectively, turning traumatic experiences into opportunities for growth and renewal.