Lights and Landscapes: More‐Than‐Human Nature in Near‐Death Experiences as Reconciliation in a Time of Ecological Crisis

ABSTRACT This paper explores lights and landscapes as depicted in near‐death experiences (NDEs). NDEs are specific experiences, which human beings with a (perceived) close brush with death may have and later recall, often including seeing a brilliant light and sometimes traveling to unearthly dimensions, which may or may not include landscapes. Such brilliant light takes many forms and colors and is often described as otherworldly with no physical origin. Reports of otherworldly landscapes in NDEs also span various forms, from being on the brink of a black hole to tranquil meadows. By reviewing lights and landscapes as they appear in select NDE reports, I will argue that these naturescapes may help to harmonize and reestablish our views of earthly nature as a source of meaning, also in the midst of the Anthropocene. Concluding, I claim that the data made available by thousands of NDE accounts across cultures, nations, and faiths may contribute, if considered valid, to metaphysical theological thinking.