Dannion Brinkley

Dannion Brinkley (born July 20, 1950) is an American author who described two near death experiences (NDEs) in his 1994 book Saved by the Light. He is also a hospice volunteer, speaker, and prominent figure in the New Age and New Thought Movement.
First near death experience
In Saved by the Light Brinkley explained that he was struck by lightning on September 17, 1975, while using a telephone at his home in Aiken, South Carolina. He said he was clinically dead for 28 minutes. During these 28 minutes Brinkley said he experienced many characteristic details of a near death experience as well as certain unique ones. His account includes an out-of-body experience with extensive observations of physical surroundings, passing through a tunnel, a high-speed and detailed life review and an encounter with beings who showed him visions of the future and discussed with him his life mission. Brinkley said he had a strong reluctance to return to his physical body, but he was sent back to fulfill a mission. In the Introduction to Saved by the Light, Moody wrote Brinkley's near death experience stands as one of the most incredible he has ever heard.
Skepticism and Controversy
First Near Death Experience
A local newspaper article published right after the first near death experience quoted Brinkley saying he was "out for a few minutes" until his wife revived him by pounding on his chest. Additionally, Gilmore Eaves (dec.) told a British documentary crew that Brinkley's story about being dead was "not true.". Brinkley has responded to these claims.
Visions of the Future
Brinkley claims the events surrounding his first near death experience left him with "special powers," namely, psychic and paranormal abilities.
Military Service
Brinkley is a U.S. Marine veteran. In Saved by the Light, Brinkley said his actions as a CIA sniper in Laos during the Vietnam War were part of his NDE life review. Brinkley's account of serving as a CIA sniper in Laos was challenged by the Los Angeles Times and by the book Stolen Valor by B. G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley. Both accounts said military records show that Brinkley never went overseas during the war, but was stationed in Georgia as a truck driver.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Brinkley said the government was covering up his CIA mission because it was classified. But the newspaper cited several sources, including former Marines involved in similar covert operations, who said Brinkley's story was "full of holes" and that the supposedly classified files were all public. Brinkley's work with dying veterans and AIDS patients began in 1984 and he has logged many thousands of volunteer hospice hours. The Twilight Brigade now has offices in 16 states and over 5,000 volunteers, including a number of active duty military personnel and veterans.
Brinkley is also the co-founder of Veterans Care Plus, a health care advocacy program for U.S. veterans and their families that provides access to low-cost prescription medications. This program has been selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for its members.
Television
Saved By the Light was adapted for a 1995 Fox Broadcasting Company TV movie of the same name starring Eric Roberts, and debuted as one of the highest rated television movies in that network's history. Since originally airing, it has been in regular circulation on the Lifetime Movie Network.<ref name=Harper />
He was also featured in an episode of NBC's Unsolved Mysteries in 1994.
Books
Saved by the Light and The Secrets of the Light were 'New York Times and international bestsellers.<ref name=Harper/>
* Dannion Brinkley and Paul Perry, Saved by the Light: The true story of a man who died twice and the profound revelations he received. New York: Villard Books, 1994. ISBN 0-679-43176-4.
* Dannion Brinkley and Paul Perry, At Peace in the Light: A man who died twice reveals amazing insights into life, death and its mysteries. Piatkus, 1995. ISBN 0-7499-1581-1.
* Dannion Brinkley and Kathryn Peters-Brinkley, The Secrets of the Light: Spiritual strategies to empower your life ... here and in the hereafter. Heart Light Productions, 2004. ISBN

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