Nancy Evans Bush, M.A.
Nancy Evans Bush, M.A., is a well-known figure in the field of near-death experience (NDE) research, particularly for her work on distressing or negative near-death experiences (DNDEs).
Her unique contributions have brought attention to the less-discussed side of NDEs—those involving feelings of fear, despair, or profound disconnection. As a respected author, researcher, and speaker, she has made significant strides in understanding these experiences and providing a framework for addressing their psychological and spiritual impacts.
Early Life and Education
Nancy Evans Bush was born and raised in a deeply religious family in New England. Her early exposure to Christianity, particularly the teachings of the Congregational church, shaped her understanding of the spiritual aspects of life. Throughout her childhood, Bush was drawn to theological and philosophical questions, especially those concerning life, death, and the afterlife.
She pursued higher education with a focus on the humanities, ultimately earning her Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Bush also studied at St. Joseph College in Connecticut, where she further refined her interest in theological studies and the human experience of spirituality.
Introduction to Near-Death Experiences
Nancy Evans Bush’s personal involvement with near-death experiences began in the 1970s, a period during which the subject was gaining traction in public and academic discussions. In 1975, Dr. Raymond Moody’s "Life After Life" popularized the concept of NDEs, leading to a surge of interest in the phenomenon. During this time, Bush had her own experience that led her to become deeply invested in understanding NDEs.
She became involved with the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), an organization co-founded in 1981 by Dr. Moody, Dr. Bruce Greyson, and others, to study and provide support for those who have had NDEs. Bush worked in various capacities for the organization, including serving as president of the board of directors, one of the highest leadership positions within IANDS. Her work with IANDS provided her with a platform to interact with researchers, experiencers, and medical professionals, helping to broaden her understanding of the complexities of NDEs.
Focus on Distressing Near-Death Experiences
While much of the literature on NDEs focused on positive, blissful experiences, Bush recognized early on that not all NDEs were pleasant. In fact, a smaller but significant percentage of individuals reported distressing or even terrifying near-death experiences. These could involve feelings of isolation, darkness, or encounters with frightening beings. Some people also reported feeling condemned or judged, leading to profound existential anxiety after the experience.
Nancy Evans Bush’s own NDE, which she described as distressing, became a catalyst for her exploration of these less-discussed experiences. She felt there was a need for a more nuanced understanding of NDEs that did not solely focus on the positive, blissful accounts that dominated the discourse.
Her groundbreaking work in this area led to a redefinition of how NDEs were categorized and discussed. By shining a light on distressing NDEs (DNDEs), Bush expanded the scope of NDE research to include a broader spectrum of experiences, allowing for a more complete understanding of how different individuals interpret and are affected by these profound moments.
Publications and Research
One of Nancy Evans Bush’s most notable contributions is her work in analyzing and categorizing the various types of DNDEs. She identified three broad types of distressing experiences:
1. Inverse experiences: These are experiences that resemble typical NDEs but have a negative emotional charge. For example, instead of moving toward a welcoming light, a person might feel they are being drawn into darkness or a void.
2. The Void: In these experiences, individuals report a sense of nothingness, emptiness, or nonexistence. They may feel completely isolated or abandoned, which can lead to profound existential fear.
3. Hellish experiences: These are the most extreme form of distressing NDEs, in which individuals may perceive themselves as being in hell or a hell-like environment, encountering terrifying beings or visions of punishment.
Bush’s research challenged the prevailing notion that NDEs were universally uplifting, offering a more balanced and complex view of these phenomena. She has written extensively on these experiences, providing both academic and popular audiences with tools to understand and cope with the aftermath of distressing NDEs.
In 2002, she co-authored the book "The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation" alongside other leading NDE researchers, including Janice Miner Holden and Bruce Greyson. This work is considered one of the definitive texts on the subject of NDEs and includes discussions on both positive and distressing NDEs.
In addition to the Handbook, Bush wrote "Dancing Past the Dark: Distressing Near-Death Experiences" (2012), her most influential solo publication. In this book, she delves into the specifics of distressing NDEs and offers insights into how these experiences can be interpreted and integrated into one’s life. Drawing on her personal experiences, as well as the stories of others, Bush provides a compassionate and thoughtful approach to understanding these harrowing experiences. The book also offers practical guidance for people who have had DNDEs, helping them find meaning and peace after such life-altering moments.
Contributions to NDE Research and Beyond
Bush’s work is important not just for her contributions to NDE research but also for her efforts to provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals who have had these experiences. She has been a strong advocate for helping people integrate their NDEs—especially distressing ones—into their lives in a meaningful and productive way. Bush's compassionate approach to the complexities of death, dying, and what lies beyond has made her a respected figure among NDE experiencers and researchers alike.
Her ongoing commitment to helping people understand and process their NDEs has extended beyond the realm of research. She has been involved in countless discussions, interviews, and public speaking engagements, spreading awareness about both the positive and distressing aspects of NDEs. Her work has been essential in opening up conversations about how different people experience and interpret the idea of the afterlife, and how these experiences can shape their views on life, death, and spirituality.
Philosophical and Spiritual Views
Though Bush’s background is rooted in Christian tradition, her research and personal experiences have led her to adopt a broader and more inclusive view of spirituality. She has often spoken about the need for people to transcend rigid religious frameworks when discussing NDEs, as these experiences often defy conventional theological explanations. Instead, Bush encourages a more open-minded and exploratory approach, one that allows for multiple interpretations of the afterlife and the mysteries of consciousness.
Her philosophy is one of acceptance and compassion, urging those who have had DNDEs to seek support and understanding rather than feel isolated or fearful. Bush has been a leading voice in destigmatizing DNDEs, advocating for a non-judgmental perspective on these experiences.
Legacy
Nancy Evans Bush’s legacy in the field of NDE research is profound. She has expanded the conversation around NDEs to include the experiences of those who may not have had positive or comforting visions of the afterlife. Through her writing, teaching, and leadership in organizations like IANDS, she has created a space for people to discuss these distressing experiences and find peace in their aftermath.
Her contributions have ensured that future generations of researchers and experiencers will continue to explore the complex and multifaceted nature of NDEs, with a more complete understanding of both the light and the dark sides of these powerful experiences.