The Spiritual Implications Of The Lazarus Syndrome

Recently, while watching the 2008 film The Lazarus Project, I was reminded of the paranormal phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs) and became intrigued by the possibility of someone coming back to life after death.

The plot of the movie is about a man who is given a second chance at life after being executed for a crime. Despite being lethally injected, he somehow wakes up in a psychiatric hospital and must overcome a series of mysterious and mystical challenges to be reunited with his family.

The title, of course, refers to the story in John 11 of a man named Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus after four days. While the plot of the movie does not directly parallel the biblical story, it does draw on the themes of resurrection and second chances.

My newfound curiosity soon led me to discover a documented medical phenomenon known as “Lazarus Syndrome.” Also known as the “Lazarus phenomenon” or “autoresuscitation,” it is a rare medical condition in which a person spontaneously comes back to life after all attempts at resuscitation have failed and the person has been pronounced dead.

The phenomenon was first noted in medical literature in 1982 by Finnish anesthesiologist Dr. Kalevi Linko, who described it as the spontaneous return of circulation after resuscitation efforts have ceased. The term “Lazarus phenomenon” was later popularized by Dr. John Francis Bray in 1993, who used the biblical reference to describe these rare cases of patients who spontaneously return to life.

However, the exact nature or cause of Lazarus Syndrome is not well understood scientifically, and medical experts have proposed several theories to try to explain it. One hypothesis is that the buildup of pressure in the chest during CPR and its subsequent release can sometimes trigger the heart to restart. Other factors, such as high potassium levels or high doses of adrenaline, may also play a role. Despite advances in medicine, the exact mechanisms that trigger this rare phenomenon remain elusive.

The boundaries between life and death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where one ends and where the other begins? ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Could it be that the explanation for this mysterious phenomenon lies beyond the realm of medical science? It does raise intriguing metaphysical and esoteric possibilities. From a spiritual perspective, Lazarus Syndrome could be evidence of divine intervention, where an omniscient higher power intervenes to restore life. It could also be a miracle orchestrated by the power of prayer and the intercession of guardian angels or other benevolent spirit beings who guide the soul back into its physical form.

The Evidence Of Near-Death Experiences

It is documented that the rare medical event known as Lazarus Syndrome often leaves those who experience it reporting profound and vivid near-death experiences (NDEs). Some patients who have experienced Lazarus Syndrome describe feelings of leaving their bodies, observing medical procedures from an outside perspective, and encountering bright lights, peaceful environments, or the presence of spiritual entities or divine beings.

One notable case is that of Gloria Hipple of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, who described a terrifying near-death encounter in 1995 caused by a medical emergency following a miscarriage. She reported being drawn during her unconscious state into a spinning vortex and experiencing profound terror, culminating in the appearance of a divine light that provided peace and comfort, replacing the overwhelming fear she initially felt.

Her experience emphasized a struggle for life, driven by her concern for her children, which seemed to shape the outcome of her journey and eventual return to consciousness. This transformative event also left her with heightened sensitivities, such as premonitions of the death of loved ones and a deeper connection to spiritual truths. She perceived her encounter with “the light” as an encounter with the ultimate giver of life, which profoundly changed her perspective on existence and material attachments.

Another dramatic account is that of Velma Thomas of Virginia, who became widely known in 2008 for a remarkable near-death experience. She suffered multiple heart attacks, was declared clinically dead, and showed no brain activity for 17 hours. Doctors had even begun preparing her for organ donation when, minutes after being removed from life support, she spontaneously regained consciousness and asked for her son.

Her recovery defies medical explanation and is considered a miraculous event associated with Lazarus syndrome. Her family, deeply spiritual, attributed the event to their prayers and faith in God and considered her resurrection a divine miracle.

I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it ~ Mark Twain

These are just two documented examples that illustrate how experiences associated with Lazarus Syndrome may very well transcend medical explanations and offer instead spiritual insight into the continuation of our consciousness after physical death. If you are interested in learning more about NDEs and their spiritual implications, organizations such as the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) provide additional resources.

The Inherent Power Of The Soul

Lazarus Syndrome may also be evidence of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. I believe it demonstrates the inherent power of our spirit or soul to transcend the limitations of our physical body and even revive it through sheer spiritual will or as part of a higher cosmic plan. This view is consistent with ancient beliefs in the power of the human spirit to heal and rejuvenate, and the esoteric notion that there are energies and forces at play that science has yet to fully understand.

By embracing these metaphysical explanations, we acknowledge the profound mysteries of life and death, and the possibility that some aspects of our existence are governed by spiritual laws and forces that remain largely invisible to our current scientific paradigm. There are dimensions of existence beyond the material world where spiritual forces can influence and alter physical outcomes in ways that defy conventional scientific understanding.

Mythological Traditions And Sacred Texts

There is support for this view to be found in various ancient belief systems, spiritual teachings and sacred texts.

In the Bible, for example, Lazarus was not the only person brought back to life by Jesus. There’s also the story of Jairus’ daughter, a young girl who was very sick. Jairus, a synagogue leader, asked Jesus to heal his daughter. On the way, however, Jesus stopped to heal a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, delaying his journey. When they finally arrived at Jairus’ house, the girl had died. Jesus was not taken seriously when he told the mourners that she was only “sleeping. Undaunted, he took the girl’s hand and said, “Talitha koum!” (an Aramaic phrase meaning “Little girl, get up!”). She awoke immediately, and Jesus instructed her parents to give her something to eat and not to tell anyone what had happened.

Another account is of the son of the widow of Nain. As Jesus entered the village, he encountered a funeral procession for the only son of a grieving widow. Moved with compassion, he told her not to weep. Then he touched the bier that carried the body of the young man and commanded him to rise. The son sat up and began to speak, leaving the onlookers in awe as he was reunited with his mother.

They will come back, come back again, as long as the red earth rolls. He never wasted a leaf or a tree. Do you think He would squander souls? ~ Rudyard Kipling

References to resurrection also appear in other texts and traditions. Here are just a few examples:

Egyptian mythology: The god Osiris was resurrected by his wife Isis. After being killed and dismembered by his brother Set, Osiris was reassembled and brought back to life, symbolizing death, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of life.

Sumerian mythology: The goddess Inanna (or Ishtar) descends to the underworld and is killed, but is resurrected after hanging from a hook for three days. This story symbolizes the cycles of life and fertility.

Greek mythology: Greek mythology includes stories of resurrection, such as Asclepius, the god of healing, who was believed to have the power to bring the dead back to life. His abilities led Zeus to strike him down to maintain the balance between mortality and divinity. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice also involves an attempt to bring a soul back from the underworld.

Norse mythology: Baldr, beloved by the gods, is killed by his blind brother Höðr, who is manipulated by Loki. Although Baldr’s death is central to the events leading up to Ragnarok (the end of the world), some versions of the myth suggest that he is reborn after the cataclysm, symbolizing hope and renewal after destruction.

Celtic mythology: Celtic and Druid myths feature deities who experience death and rebirth. The goddess Brigid, for example, is associated with fertility, the changing of the seasons, and the renewal of life. The cycle of nature represented by such deities echoes the themes of death, decay, and eventual renewal.

Hindu scriptures: The Mahabharata describes instances of resurrection. One notable story involves the sage Rishi Shukracharya, who possessed the Sanjivani mantra, a knowledge or technique for bringing the dead back to life. Similarly, in the Ramayana, the mythical herb Sanjeevani is sought by Hanuman to save Lakshmana by reviving him from the brink of death.

Jewish scripture: In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the prophet Elijah revives the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24), and the prophet Elisha revives the son of a Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:18-37).

For believers, these myths have served as metaphors for renewal, hope, and the triumph of life over death throughout human history, offering a universal theme across several spiritual traditions.

So, was Jairus’ daughter in a diabetic coma, as some have speculated, which is why Jesus told her parents to give her food? Could the widow of Nain’s son have simply shown no visible signs of life, rather than being truly dead? Or could it be that Lazarus’ time had not come because he had more work to do on earth?

As always, dear reader, the mystery is yours to ponder. Whether miraculous, medical, or metaphorical, these stories challenge us to think about the nature of consciousness, the boundaries of life, death, and what might lie beyond.