Research Foundation – Elaine L Finkelstein PhD

THE TRANSFORMATIVE END-OF-LIFE EXPERIENCES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Transformative End-of-Life Experiences Research Foundation (TELERF) focuses its research on exceptional psychological experiences suggestive of a connection with an expanded consciousness, including those associated with the end-of-life. These exceptional experiences are both extraordinary in nature and are transformative in their effect.

The Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs) that are the core of TELERF’s research include:

Transformative End-of-Life Experiences (TELEs): These are the end-of-life experiences of the dying that are exceptional and transpersonal in nature, and the effects of which are transformational. TELERF asks questions of those who are nearing the end of their life, or their family, to explore reported visions of, and apparent conversations with, previously deceased loved ones. It is clear that such visions, messages and communications bring real peace and comfort to those who are nearing death, and it is now thought that the majority of us may have some form of exceptional experience, dream or end-of-life vision as we are nearing death.

“Mom, Mom, you’re here…and oh, Billy, I am so happy to see you! Have you come for me?”
Turning to her family at her bedside the patient said “I have been so afraid of dying, but not anymore.”
These were the words of an elderly female patient two days prior to her passing.
Both her mother and her husband, Billy, were deceased.
Her visions of life beyond were witnessed by two family members, one of whom was her daughter.
The family attributed her comments to confusion.
The patient was not on medication that may have caused hallucinations or confusion.

Reassurances: This refers specifically to reassurances received from the deceased by grieving loved ones either through communication, messages, visions and dreams, or through signs identified by the grieving loved ones as being meaningful and significant. In some instances, instructions or important messages are received by those who are grieving, over and above the comforting reassurances. On occasion, these instructions or messages are sufficiently factual to enable follow-up and verification of the message content. Experiences of reassurance are more common than one might think, but many do not share these experiences as they feel that they will not be understood.

Specific Foreknowledge: This is the foreknowledge, or immediate realisation, of the passing of a loved one prior to formal notification. This foreknowledge may be intuitive or may be the result of the type of reassurances discussed in the previous Reassurances description.

“I awoke, suddenly, at 4.10am. I knew my father had passed.
He lived thousands of miles away, on another continent.
Two hours later the call came through. My father went at 4.10am my time.”

Near-Death and Transient-Death Experiences™: The Near-Death Experience (NDE) is an extraordinary experience, or psychological event, that is exceptional in nature. This experience may occur when an individual is in real, imminent and potentially life-threatening danger or when the person feels close to physical and psychological death. NDEs are associated both with themes or impressions that are now regarded as common features across these experiences, such as seeing a light or a being of light, as well as with the unique recollections and interpretations of an individual near-death experiencer (NDEr). The transient-death experience(TDE) is a specific type of NDE, namely one that occurs when the experiencer is at the point of clinical death. Those who have an experience of this nature (TDErs) are not ‘near-death’ at the time of their experience they are, for a time, temporarily dead. They experience a period of transient-death. During transient-death measurable brain activity ceases, breathing stops and death may be pronounced. Yet, for example, during this period TDErs remember the continued ability to see and hear, and some report both hearing and seeing the pronouncement of their own death.

Premonitions: This refers specifically to forewarnings of death in the future, not necessarily of oneself, and these premonitions are later proven to be accurate.

It is of significance that the different experiences described here overlap in some respects, with many of the accounts, although unique, carrying similar themes or features. Transpersonal experiences of this nature offer psychologically-based insights into the greater nature of humankind. These insights and communications may have a profound impact on the behaviour, mood and emotional state of those who experience them, and this aspect forms a significant and vital aspect of the Foundation’s research.

TELERF affords all who are willing to participate in its research an environment of absolute understanding, support and validation. Should you be willing to share an experience of this nature click here. The goal of the Transformative End-of-Life Experiences Research Foundation (TELERF) is to identify, describe, collate and analyse these transpersonal and transitional experiences associated with end-of-life. Through its work, TELERF aims to reassure those who are nearing the end of their life that death is perhaps not as it seems. It also aims to bring comfort to family members, loved ones and friends through the exploration of these psycho-spiritual experiences, through recognition of the often powerful and positive impact these experiences have on those who experience them, and through an analysis of what research of this nature suggests about the possible continuity of life and consciousness after death. Furthermore, the Foundation hopes that the research it undertakes may assist carers, hospice workers, medical professionals, family members and friends to become more open to, accepting of and comfortable with end-of-life experiences that are both exceptional and transpersonal in nature.

“It is evident that Elaine loves her research and counselling work. Elaine has deep knowledge and is able to present this huge subject in a clear and professional way. Thank you Elaine for the enlightening work that you do.” (Kathy N.)

THE TRANSFORMATIVE END-OF-LIFE EXPERIENCES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

“I awoke, suddenly, at 4.10am. I knew my father had passed. He lived thousands of miles away, on another continent. Two hours later the call came through. My father went at 4.10am my time.”

“I awoke, suddenly, at 4.10am. I knew my father had passed.
He lived thousands of miles away, on another continent.
Two hours later the call came through. My father went at 4.10am my time.”