A hand-drawn sketch shared on social media has ignited one of the internet’s most compelling conversations about life, death, and what may exist beyond our final breath. The simple yet profound illustration, allegedly created by someone who experienced a near-death episode, depicts a multi-layered cosmic structure where souls journey upward through spiraling light toward an ultimate destination.
The drawing shows what appears to be a cone or pyramid-shaped realm hovering above Earth, filled with stick-figure souls distributed across different levels. At the apex sits a brilliant, radiant source of light. Lines connect the figures throughout the structure, suggesting a universal interconnection. Labels on the drawing reference concepts like “transcend,” “silver cord,” and “connected,” pointing to spiritual ideas found across various belief systems.
The Phenomenon of Near-Death Experiences
While this specific viral story lacks verification from medical or journalistic sources, near-death experiences themselves are far from fiction. Scientific research has documented these profound episodes for decades. According to medical studies, approximately 10-20% of people who survive cardiac arrest report experiencing NDEs—intense visions and sensations that occur during moments when the brain is critically deprived of oxygen.
Dr. Jimo Borjigin, a neuroscience researcher at the University of Michigan, led groundbreaking studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that examined brain activity in dying patients. Her research revealed surprising bursts of coordinated gamma wave activity in the brain during cardiac arrest—the same type of neural activity associated with conscious awareness, memory, and sensory perception.
“How vivid experience can emerge from a dysfunctional brain during the process of dying is a neuroscientific paradox,” noted Dr. George Mashour, commenting on Borjigin’s research.
Common Elements: A Universal Experience?
Across cultures and throughout history, people who’ve experienced near-death episodes report remarkably similar phenomena:
The Tunnel and Light: The overwhelming majority describe moving through a dark tunnel toward an intensely bright, warm light. Scientific research suggests this may result from oxygen deprivation to the retina, causing progressive peripheral vision loss that creates the tunnel effect.
Out-of-Body Experiences: Many report watching their own bodies from above, observing medical teams working to revive them. Studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the brain’s temporoparietal junction can artificially induce similar sensations, suggesting these experiences stem from disrupted sensory integration in the brain.
Meeting Deceased Loved Ones: Encounters with family members, friends, or spiritual beings are frequently reported. Neurological research indicates that brain regions affected by oxygen deprivation can trigger hallucinations similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease patients.
Life Review: A rapid replay of significant life moments, often described as watching one’s entire life flash before their eyes. This phenomenon may be linked to memory centers in the brain firing intensely as they’re deprived of oxygen.
Feelings of Peace and Interconnection: Despite the trauma to the body, many experiencers report overwhelming serenity, unconditional love, and a profound sense that all things are connected—precisely what the viral drawing attempts to illustrate.
Science Meets Spirituality
The scientific community has made significant strides in understanding the biological mechanisms behind NDEs. When the brain faces extreme trauma—whether from cardiac arrest, drowning, severe injury, or other life-threatening events—it undergoes dramatic chemical and electrical changes.
Research from the University of Cambridge points to several neurological explanations:
Oxygen Deprivation: Reduced blood flow to the brain triggers various perceptual distortions, including tunnel vision and heightened sensory experiences.
Neurochemical Flood: The dying brain releases a cascade of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which can create euphoric states similar to those induced by powerful psychedelic substances.
REM Intrusion: Some researchers believe near-death experiences may involve rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusion, where dream-like states penetrate waking consciousness during extreme stress.
Gamma Wave Surge: The recent discovery of increased gamma activity during cardiac arrest suggests the brain may become hyperactive in its final moments, creating intensely vivid and memorable experiences.
Yet even with these scientific explanations, questions remain. How can people report detailed, coherent experiences during periods when brain activity appears flatlined on monitors? Why do these experiences feel profoundly “more real than real” to those who have them? And why do they often result in permanent, positive transformations in how people approach life?
The Lasting Impact
Perhaps more intriguing than the cause of near-death experiences is their effect on those who survive them. Research consistently shows that people who undergo NDEs often emerge with:

Reduced fear of death
Greater appreciation for life
Increased empathy and compassion
Stronger sense of life purpose
Decreased materialism
Enhanced spiritual or religious beliefs

Some report distressing NDEs—visions of emptiness, isolation, or terrifying imagery—but the majority describe their experience as the most significant, meaningful moment of their lives.
Cultural Interpretations
Interestingly, while the core elements of NDEs remain consistent worldwide, cultural background influences how people interpret what they witness. Western experiencers often report meeting Jesus or angels, while Thai Buddhists encounter Yamatoots (messengers of death in Hindu-Buddhist tradition). Indian experiencers describe administrative afterlife bureaucracies, reflecting cultural beliefs about karma and judgment.
This cultural overlay suggests that while the neurological phenomena may be universal, our minds interpret these experiences through the lens of our beliefs, expectations, and cultural narratives.
The Unanswered Questions
The viral drawing tapping into humanity’s oldest and most profound questions: What happens when we die? Is consciousness merely a product of brain activity, or does some essence of our being persist beyond physical death? Do our experiences during life create the experiences we have in death?
Modern neuroscience offers compelling explanations for the mechanics of near-death visions, yet it cannot fully account for the transformative power these experiences hold. They remain at the fascinating intersection of biology, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality—a place where empirical science meets the deepest mysteries of human existence.
Whether the viral drawing represents an actual glimpse beyond the veil or the creative expression of neurological phenomena, it serves a valuable purpose: reminding us that death, far from being merely an ending, remains one of life’s greatest mysteries. And in confronting that mystery—whether through science, spirituality, or simple wonder—we may find ourselves living more fully in the present moment.
The drawing’s message of universal interconnection resonates regardless of its source. In a divided world, the idea that we are all fundamentally linked—that our individual journeys are part of a greater whole—offers both comfort and inspiration.