Near Death Experience - Why Come Back?

A few of us know someone that has had a near death experience, I am one of them. What an experience it must be. Sure we do not like to think about death, but in many ways it defines us.

A long time friend of mine since 1982 got diagnosed with cancer that had progressed beyond normal protocols and took in a near fatal amount of radiation during his treatment. He feels this is a metaphor for his life. I agree, mostly the progression beyond normal I mean. In every way this man has lived an intense life, exploring boundaries beyond what most of us ever see or can fathom. He is also a deeply spiritual person that cares deeply about living life in full awareness.

From his telling of the story, he was near death, and the nurse (Angel of Mercy) assigned to dying patients had started seeing him when he overheard two other nurses discussing his dire condition. His worst fears of death were confirmed. I could not imagine.

Because I believe in the power of the mind, I had to ask him what made him live. Surely he must have decided to live for some reason or purpose to escape death. His answer - "I decided to stay alive to live life as my true self-manifest in a body."

I may not have his exact words, but that is what I believe our purpose is - to grow, manifest, evolve, and live fully from our heart and spirit while in a body. Beyond my friend's tremendous courage, I honor his choice and believe we all make this choice to some degree or another. Do you want to live? ...Why?