Fractal NDE Map: An Empirical Framework for Near-Death Experiences

Aug 24

Introduction
Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are among the most intriguing phenomena in modern consciousness research. They occur when patients undergo clinical death or states of extreme physiological collapse, yet later report vivid, structured experiences. Traditionally considered anecdotal, NDEs are now increasingly investigated in medicine, psychology, and neuroscience.

Our contribution is to show that NDEs are not random hallucinations but follow a reproducible mathematical and fractal structure. By analyzing 20+ well-documented cases, we find consistent signatures in the dynamics of tension (S), harmony (H), and hazard peaks, aligned with fractal cycles of 3↔4.

Mathematical Framework

Tension (S):
S = |B − V| + |V − S| + |S − B|
→ A measure of imbalance between three centers: Body, Vital, Soul. High S corresponds to fear, chaos, fragmentation, or “hellish” imagery in NDEs.
Harmony (H):
H = (B × V × S)^(1/3)
→ A measure of proportional balance across the same triad. High H corresponds to light, unity, peace, and transformative love.
Hazard function (h):
h(t) = λ e^(−λt)
→ Models the singularity moment of clinical death. The hazard peak aligns with the onset of the NDE and the transition into altered states.
Fractal expansion (N(n)):
N(n) = alternating sequence of triads (3) and tetrads (4).
→ Produces the cycle: 3, 12, 36, 144, 432… Each triad represents abstract principle levels (creation, review, light), while tetrads represent material manifestations (body, space, time, elements).

Empirical Pattern

From Pam Reynolds’ famous 1991 case during brain surgery, to the AWARE study (Parnia et al., 2014), to individual accounts such as Rajiv Parti, Anita Moorjani, Howard Storm, and Sebastian Junger — the pattern is consistent:

Hazard peak (Level 0): Clinical death, EEG flatline, collapse.
S ↑ (Level 1 – Triad): Fear, chaos, dark void, “hell” imagery.
Transition (Level 2 – Tetrad): Out-of-body perception, separation from physical form, emotional shock.
H ↑ (Level 3 – Triad): Light, life review, angelic beings, profound unity.
Return (Level 4 – Tetrad): Re-entry into body, sense of space/time restored, experience carried back into waking life.

Figure 1: Average S/H Curve
Analysis of 20+ cases shows the same dynamic:

After hazard, S rises sharply (fear/hell).
S decreases, H increases (light, unity).
The process closes with return to embodiment.

Figure 2: Fractal NDE Map with Cases
Reported NDE contents cluster exactly in fractal levels:

Level 0 (Hazard peak): Pam Reynolds, Patient One (EEG spike).
Level 1 (Triad – fear/hell): Howard Storm, Randy Kay, “Gates of Hell” patient.
Level 2 (Tetrad – body/emotions): Sharon Milliman, UK woman clinically dead 17 minutes.
Level 3 (Triad – light/angels): Rajiv Parti, Anita Moorjani, George Ritchie, Betty Eadie.
Level 4 (Tetrad – return): Sebastian Junger, John Wren-Lewis.

(insert Figure 2: Fractal NDE Map with Cases)

Case Summary

Rajiv Parti: Hellish imagery → tunnel of light → angels → return.
Pam Reynolds: Verified perception during flat EEG → light, music, guides.
Anita Moorjani: Fear of death → profound love/light → spontaneous healing.
George Ritchie: Out-of-body confusion → encounter with Christ → return.
Howard Storm: Dark assault → rescue by beings of light.
Betty Eadie: Tunnel, angels, review, and return.
Sebastian Junger: Black fissure → father’s presence → return.
Sharon Milliman: Multiple NDE cycles (drowning, lightning, surgery).
AWARE study (Parnia et al., 2014): 2000+ patients; verified awareness during resuscitation.

Conclusion
The Fractal NDE Map demonstrates that NDEs consistently follow the same mathematical pattern:
Hazard peak → S↑ (fear/fragmentation) → S↓, H↑ (light, unity) → return (3↔4 cycle).

This offers a falsifiable, cross-cultural framework for studying consciousness at the threshold of death. NDEs are not random hallucinations, but structured phenomena encoded in a fractal dynamic of tension, harmony, and hazard.

Sabljić, B. (2025). Fractal NDE Map: An Empirical Framework for Near-Death Experiences [Preprint]. Zenodo.