While providing many accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) from men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, Lessons from the Light is much more than just an inspiring collection of NDEs. In Lessons near-death expert Kenneth Ring extracts the pure gold of the NDE and with a beautiful balance of sound research and human insight reveals the practical wisdom held within these experiences.

As Stanley Krippner states, "In this remarkable book, Ring presents evidence that merely learning about the near-death experience has similar positive effects to those reported by people who actually have had near-death experiences. Kenneth Ring is one of the few authors whose gifts include the capacity to transform their readers' lives."

"Kenneth Ring is no stranger to the pages of this Journal. As Bruce Greyson notes in her Preface to this capstone book, Ring more than any one person has been responsible for the near-death experience (NDE) growing into "a self-sustaining phenomenon." Ring’s early work was the first to place the NDE under the spotlight of scientific and scholarly investigation, which evolved into what can only be called a near-death movement of popular and even global proportions.

"With these credentials firmly in place, the present work [Lessons from the Light] shifts ground and moves us to a new perspective on the near-death phenomenon. While the early work focused on analyzing, modeling, and authenticating the NDE, studying its powerful after effects and relationships to other tranformative experiences, Lessons from the Light takes on its spiritual meaning and soulmaking significance. . . . [Ring] tries to enable the reader who has never had a near-death experience to absorb its lessons and use them to catalyze personal growth ‘simply by reading and reflecting on the contents of this book.’

" . . . Lessons from the Light is an introduction to a new genre of writing. It shows us how to use these remarkable narratives to trigger our own life-transforming, enlightening experiences."

Journal of Near-Death Studies

“If any one person can claim to be an authority on near-death experiences without having had one, that person must surely be Kenneth Ring. . . . And more importantly, no other researcher has been able to transmit to the rest of us the true meaning and impact of near-death phenomena for the planet.”

Bruce Greyson, M.D., Past-President of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS)

“This book changes lives. My students love it. In one reading it dispels a lifetime of fear and misinformation about death and the universe we live in. Penetrating, beautifully written, the best single volume on NDE research.”

Chris Bache, Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies, Youngstown State University; Author of Dark Night, Early Dawn

“If you buy one book on the near-death experience, make it this one. Lessons from the Light is a treasure; radiant, direct, and moving. Like the light seen in the near-death experience, Dr. Ring's masterpiece is replete with messages and healing gifts for anyone who picks it up.

“It is impossible to read Lessons and not be transformed by its message, woven together from the many golden threads in Dr. Ring’s case studies. We learn there is another mode of existence where the blind and comatose can see, babies can watch their birth from above, and life never ends. This testimony compels us to open our hearts to a luminous compassion for ourselves, others, and the planet. These personal glimpses beyond the veil help us re-envision the face of death from that of a feared specter to that of the perfect lover we have always longed for.

“Ironically, by learning about dying, we gain crucial insights about living that can redirect our understanding to the things that matter; what we take with us to the other side, especially love and service to others. Nobody is lost to us, and we take no secrets or possessions to this final destination. These lessons can enrich our lives immeasurably, save us from wasted years and futile pursuits, and gift us with joy and peace of mind that can last a lifetime. With the light, all ends well, however life appears as we experience it.”

Beverly Brodsky, Coordinator, San Diego IANDS; Inspirational Speaker and Writer

“A magnificent achievement! For while Ring is indeed one of the leading scholars in the field, he now brings in his heart and shows those of us who haven’t had an NDE how to use the inspiration of NDEs to change our lives.”

Charles T. Tart, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis; Author of Altered States of Consciousness and Waking Up

“Ring’s past publications argue that the near-death experience (NDE) and related transformative experiences point to evolutionary potentials of human consciousness. In [Lessons from the Light], which continues the early work, he takes a more active stand toward the developmental potential of the NDE when he states that ‘it is clearly not enough to wait passively for this evolution to occur.’ . . . The stunning potentials of the near-death transformation experience are latent within us all. If so, it is plausible that the words, images, and ideas that describe the NDE might serve to evoke and awake their slumbering unconscious counterparts in our own minds. On the other hand, Ring isn’t selling a free ride to enlightenment; mere mouthing of ideas won’t do the trick. It’s only by actively applying the NDE lessons to everyday life that we hope to taste their magic.”

Noetic Sciences Review (IONS)

"Having had an NDE recently, I was in a unique position to appreciate this well-thought-out, carefully compiled collection of case studies; it will certainly help further understanding of the transformative nature of an NDE. . . . The authors present findings on not only the complete behavioral and psychological changes resulting from an NDE, but also preliminary evidence of tangible physiological and neurological changes. A wide variety of cases are studied, including children and those who have had multiple NDEs. The compassion and genuine desire of the authors to help those of us who have had and NDE as well as our loved ones is very touching. Since fear of death is so rampant in our culture, more exposure to this phenomenon is a step in the right direction to helping all of us to live fuller lives by addressing that fear."

NAPRA ReView

"In Lessons from the Light, Kenneth Ring and co-author Evelyn Elsaesser Valarino present a fine account of more recent advances in the field of Near-Death Studies. . . . It should be hard to believe that anyone grappling with the mystery of consciousness would just pass by the chance of seeking a challenge to his or her current view. So take up Ring’s book, use it as a manual to guide you into your own experience, and come up with your individual conclusions. If we so use the book, we have come a long way for ourselves . . ."

Journal of Consciousness Studies

"A beautiful melding of research and compassionate, intuitive analysis. An inspirational book filled with both spiritual insight and practical information to help us realize our own personal power."

Caroline Myss, Ph.D., author of Anatomy of the Spirit

"A major contribution that offers a wealth of fresh case materials together with balanced and insightful commentary."

Raymond A. Moody, Ph.D., author of Life After Life and Reunions

"In this remarkable book, Ring presents evidence that merely learning about the near-death experience has similar positive effects to those reported by people who actually have had near-death experiences. Kenneth Ring is one of the few authors whose gifts include the capacity to transform their readers' lives."

Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Saybook Graduate School, San Francisco

"Lessons from the Light is the best and most complete book on the near-death experience I've ever read, and I believe it will help you overcome your fears of dying."

Seymour Boorstein, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and author of Clinical Studies in Transpersonal Psychotherapy.

Kenneth Ring's book is the distillation of all that death can teach the living. Ring's loving voice turns harrowing and resplendent near-death stories into a practical guide that motivates through its sheer heart-gripping beauty. No reader will ever be able to think of life in the same way again after reading this book!"

Jenny Wade, Ph.D., author of Changes of Mind: A Holononic Theory of the Evolution of Consciousness