Greyson's conclusions in his book After

Greyson ends his After account where he began, with reflections on the mind and the brain. He writes that: “near-death experiences seem to me to involve both the physical brain and the non-physical mind. We can choose to focus on the physical brain and explore chemical and electrical changes associated with near-death experiences. Or we can focus on the nonphysical mind and explore feelings of peace and love, out-of-body perceptions, and encounters with deceased loved ones. Both aspects—the physical and the nonphysical—are there, and we can see either one by changing our focus.” He concludes, however, that “neither of those perspectives by itself provides a complete description of the experience.”

“It seems plausible to me,” Greyson asserts, “that near-death experiences may be triggered by electrical or chemical changes in the brain that permit the mind to experience separating from the body at the moment of death. There is no inherent conflict between a physical and a non-physical understanding of near-death experiences. The physical and the nonphysical are different levels of explanation or description.”

Greyson clearly recognizes: “Although our physical brain and nonphysical mind seem to work as one unit in everyday life, people who have had near-death experiences consistently say that their experience of being awake and aware while their brains are impaired convinces them that their minds can act independently of their brains at times and are not just the product of their physical brains."

He admits: “I don’t know whether some kind of continued consciousness after death is the best explanation for near-death experiences in which experiencers see deceased loved ones no one knew had died. But I don’t have any alternative explanation for the evidence.”

Many “report that the most meaningful change after a near-death experience is an increase in their sense of spirituality. What they mean by the term ‘spirituality’ is the aspect of their personal lives that includes something beyond the usual senses, and a personal search for inspiration, meaning, and purpose, a quest to connect with something greater than themselves. Greyson affirms, “this includes a conviction that loving and care for other is of primary importance.”

Finally, Greyson communicates directly to each reader: “I would hope that your reflections on my words will not end when you put this book down but may continue to live on in your thoughts and feelings about life, death, and beyond.”

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Bruce Greyson, After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond, 194-211.