Between the Unknown and Science .. A Chinese Study Reveals the Secrets of What a Person Sees Near Death

The question of “What does a person see before they die” has long intrigued scientists and philosophers alike, but a new study from the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications has provided an unprecedented scientific perspective on these mysterious moments by analyzing the experiences of 48 individuals who survived near-death situations.

Sights Between Light and Cosmic Void

The interviews revealed that the participants' experiences were highly varied; some spoke of religious visions or bright light, while others described strange cosmic scenes reminiscent of science fiction films.
One participant said: “I saw stone stairs extending upwards, and at the top was Jesus wearing a white robe.”
Another mentioned witnessing “a black hole surrounded by bright light that covered all colors,” while a third participant talked about “a geometric matrix extending into infinite dimensions.”

The Brain, Not the Soul

The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Franz Lerner, explained that these phenomena can be interpreted from a purely neurological perspective, emphasizing that “the brain, as it gradually shuts down, alters the way it receives visual signals, generating complex images and experiences.”
She added: “An individual’s cultural and religious environment plays an important role in shaping the experience; each person sees familiar symbols related to their beliefs or cultural background.”

Geometric Patterns of Experience

The research team categorized near-death experiences into four main patterns:

Pattern (A): A narrow tunnel scene, resulting from reduced blood flow to the brain.

Patterns (B) and (C): Oval or curved scenes appearing during partial loss of vision.

Pattern (C5): An experience completely surrounded by a circular visual field at a 360-degree angle.


The scientists noted that the transition from the first pattern to the last reflects a gradient of visual perception collapse, suggesting that these visions arise from a single physiological mechanism within the brain.

Between the Unknown and Science

Although many experiences involved religious symbols or feelings of inner peace, the study confirms that what a person sees in their final moments is not evidence of an afterlife, but rather a natural result of changes in brain activity as it approaches shutdown. Lerner states: “When the brain begins to collapse, the connections that keep our sense of self intact break down, leading to those scenes and feelings that some describe as ‘crossing into the light’.”