About ten percent of those who have a close brush with dying or survive actual clinical death return with accounts of the other side -- according to a survey by psychiatrist Peter Fenwick of prestigious Kings College in London.

The study -- which followed a television program after which 2,000 letters were received -- focused on correspondents who seemed to have what scientists describe as "core" experiences.

According to Dr. Fenwick, the survey found that religious affiliation did not factor into those who reported the experience of "glimpsing" eternity, with even non-believers reporting having risen from their bodies and seeing a great light.

The affiliations were 54 percent Church of England, 12 percent Catholic, 19 percent other Christian, one percent Jewish, eight percent agnostic, and two percent atheist -- similar to the percent of such groups in the general UK populace.

"Indeed, some of the atheist respondents wrote some really cross letters saying that they had not wanted this experience and they found it quite difficult to incorporate into their lives," said Dr. Fenwick, who first reported the findings at a conference in 2004.

Of those surveyed, 76 percent reported beautiful pastoral landscapes and 38 percent seeing deceased friends and relatives.

"The dead tend to be seen in the prime of life, even though they may have died ill or damaged by accidents or in ripe old age," said the psychiatrist. "All injuries had been healed. We were told of a lovely near-death experience by a man who had had meningitis. Jesus came into his third-floor room by the window, took him by the hand, and walked with him out of the window, straight into this lovely landscape, and coming from all directions, there were people who were taking off bandages, dropping their crutches, and being healed by the process of going through the garden of light. Some of our respondents reported meeting people whom they did not know were dead, but who were later confirmed to have been dead at the time of the experience."

Particularly notable: 72 percent of those who had the "core" experience reported being more spiritual and having less fear of death. Moreover, reports Dr. Fenwick, those who have had the experience appear more psychologically balanced than the average person.

It is yet another study that adds to an impressively growing body of research. But what does it all tell us? According to another researcher, Dr. Kenneth Ring of Connecticut, the main lessons learned from such experiences can be synopsized as follows:

-- There is a reason for everything that happens.

-- Find your own purpose in life.

-- Do not be a slave to time.

-- Appreciate things for what they are -- not for what they can give you.

-- Do not allow yourself to be dominated by the thoughts or expectations of others.

-- Do not be concerned with what others think of you, either.

-- Remember, you are not your body.

-- Fear not -- even pain and certainly not death.

-- Be open to life, and live it to its fullest.

-- Money and material things are not particularly important in the scheme of things.

-- Helping others is what counts in life.

-- Do not trouble yourself with competition -- just enjoy the show.

When children have had the experience -- reports another medical doctor -- the main lesson they returned with was that the key mission on earth is learning to love. Just that. Nothing else.

[This is the first of several upcoming stories on the afterlife]

[resources: near-death books and videos]