Shine On

As Raymond Moody writes in the foreword, 'this is indeed one of the most gripping accounts of near-death experience that I have read' – I couldn't agree more. The journey is an extraordinary one by any account from a nearly bankrupt alcoholic manual labourer with virtually no qualifications to artist and composer via a near-death experience resulting from being dragged under a moving train after seeing a friend off. The author's psychological and emotional state prior to the NDE is pretty desperate, also in view of his problematic love life and lack of self-esteem. In the experience in itself, like many others, the author experiences the light of pure unconditional love. He describes the agony of his physical state and gradual rehabilitation, as a result of which he puts a new life together and has the urge to begin painting, something he has never done before, in order to depict his experience. In coming to terms with the meaning of his experience, he gained some insights and receives healing at a spiritualist church, as well as having a counsellor to help him move forward psychologically – especially in overcoming his fear of love, a widespread condition. At a certain point, he begins to hear phrases of music in his head, and solicits the help of his brother in transposing these onto a full score via a computer programme. He had played the guitar, but had no knowledge of classical music, nor could he read a score. Cutting a long story short, his symphony in three movements is premiered by the local orchestra in St Ives to great acclaim. This is a quite astonishing development, considering where are the story began, the extent of his injuries and his lack of artistic and musical education. You can listen to this (and see his paintings) on his website – www.shineonthestory.com – and I found it hauntingly beautiful and evocative, and surely a strong indication of genuine transcendence.