NDE and hypnotic regression are similar but with some key differences. Note: NDE means Near-Death Experience and Hypnotic Regression also means Life Between Lives Regression (LBL).

Differences between a NDE and Hypnotic Regression

A NDE is usually initiated by a serious accident. That means a woman (man or child) has suffered a trauma so severe that she has physically left her body. The NDE takes place while the person is either dead or close to death. The NDE terminates suddenly when she returns to her body and revived.

A hypnotic regression, also called life between lives regression (LBL) or spiritual regression, is significantly different in a most important way. The participant chooses to undertake a regression and there is no bodily trauma or risk of death. 

All during the spiritual regression, the participant is guided by an experienced hypnotherapist. Although the participant might be resolving trauma or physical pain, it comes from the past. The hypnotic regression takes place in a context of serenity and security.

Similarities between NDE and Hypnotic Regression.

Researchers have found many similarities between a NDE and a hypnotic regression.

There are nine elements researchers identify as typical in the Near-Death Experience but not all are present in every NDE.

1. Sound: The NDE experiencer hears a buzzing or ringing noise while having a sense of having died.
2. Peace and Painlessness: Any pain the NDE experiencer is feeling from the trauma disappears and instead senses great peace.
3. Out-of-Body-Experience: The NDE experiencer has a sense of leaving the body and is floating above that physical body.
4. The Tunnel: The NDE experiencer feels drawn into a tunnel usually quickly, travelling until seeing a while light. However not every NDE experiencer sees a tunnel.
5. No Tunnel Journey: The NDE experiencer floats speedily upwards and can see the earth beneath recede into the distance
6. People of Light: The NDE experiencer meets Beings who glow with light. Some are relatives or friends who have passed, and who now greet NDE experiencer.
7. Being of Light: The NDE experiencer is greeted by a Being of Light. Some feel it is God, Jesus or some other religious figure. The person feels overwhelming love from this Being.
8. Life Review: The NDE experiencer is given a review of his life. Most get the message that love is the most important thing in life.
9. Reluctance to Return: The NDE experiencer is told to return but the love and peace are so profound most return with some reluctance.

Researchers have found that people who experience a NDE change significantly. Most change their priorities and value their relationships more than material things. Many are kinder and take on activities or work that helps others. Nearly all lose their fear of death. 

Regression participants often experience these changes as well.  

Spiritual Regression experiences

In the LBL, the hypnotherapist guides the individual into a deep trance. During the induction most feel they are out of body and floating. A rare few hear a buzzing sound.

Nearly all people undertaking a LBL go through a death experience. First, they hypnotherapist guides them to a past life and at the end of that life they pass over. This death is not too traumatic because the hypnotherapist makes sure the individual knows they are not alone and are safe and secure. After experiencing their death most have similar experiences to those who have NDE.

The person having the regression will float upwards. Some will see the earth recede. Some will go through a tunnel. Nearly all will see a white light coming towards them that turns into a Being of Light. This Being of Light identifies as their spiritual guide and often gives them his or her name.

Once the spiritual guide is present, the hypnotherapist takes a back seat and lets the spiritual guide do most of the directing. The hypnotherapist will, sometime during the regression, ask questions to record the experience and get answers to the questions set beforehand. If the participant becomes stuck or starts coming out of the trance, the hypnotherapist helps them stay on track.

Most participants during a regression meet relatives on the other side. These are usually part of their soul group. Most participants feel a sense of overwhelming love. A life review can come from their guide or their Council of Elders who give them information about their past lives, their current life and their purpose. The council or guide also answers any questions they have.

There are many similarities between the NDE and hypnotic regression (LBL) but there are some important differences

Some differences between NDE and Hypnotic Regression

The regression participants can choose to visit certain places. These include the body selection area, the place where they planned their current life, the library and even other planets. Spirit guides take them to places which reveal information of benefit to their current life.

Whenever we are in the regression and experiencing those realms on the “other side,” we experience a sense of timelessness. NDE experiencers report this too, discovering hours of experience were only minutes on Earth. This time distortion also happens regression participants. They often find that, what seemed like an hour in the trance, is over three hours. In the regression state, we are focuss on whatever is emerging moment to moment with no sense of time.

Unlike NDE, the participant in the regression chooses to plan the experience. Unlike the NDE which is spontaneous. The regression participant can ask specific prepared questions and receive answers. They can choose to visit family or soul group members who have already passed over. They can go to selected places in the afterlife. 

Unlike NDE experiencers, regression participants have little reluctance to return. The hypnotherapist checks to make sure that all relevant information has been obtained. She then invites the participant to return. Thus, the participant only returns to normal consciousness when ready. 

Being able to access NDE style experiences without trauma is a blessing to many. People suffering the loss of a loved one, confused about life, searching for direction or purpose, feeling anxious or depressed are able to receive wisdom from high level non-physical guides. We have found that both NDE and hypnotic regressions are lifechanging.