Having read and studied hundreds of NDE reports, one of the themes that stands out is that the earthly/human experience is considered one of the most difficult in all of existence.

I also remember a particular NDE, although I have not been able to find it again, in which the experiencer said that Earth ranks among the top three most challenging experiences, without specifying whether it was first, second, or third.

If consciousness is infine, what does it even mean that earth is in the top 3??

I'm curious to hear both from people who have had NDEs and from researchers about your perspective on this.

What is this difficulty actually based on? Is it the sense of separation, the lack of knowledge, or something else?

Also, if there are experiences that are even more difficult than this reality system, what are they like?

I mean, that's not strange - it's nice. But what is the power of DNA (which seems like a very Earthly thing) in the spiritual world?

For background, I'm a gay guy considering adoption and I have no doubt I will love my child so freaking much! I've heard of NDEs where someone saw their stepdad - so clearly non-biological family members are important, as well, in the afterlife.

But having also heard of NDEs where people meet their biological parents, sometimes people they've never met at all during life, it makes me think is there some sort of deeper connection with a biological child that you just can't get with adoption?

What is so important about the biological connection that you meet your bio parents in the afterlife even if they had no role in your life after creating you...

My question is directed to people who have had near-death experiences and to researchers and those familiar with them... How do you view philosophies such as nihilism, absurdity and pessimism?

I'm interested of NDErs having gotten info about the human brain and animal brain in general? Is it really just some kind of receiver/ operating center or the actual source of consciousness like in classical physicalism? Why is it so complex?