spiritual experiences
Paranormal, Or Perinormal?
When we hear the word “paranormal,” we often think of ghosts, psychic abilities, or UFO sightings. But what does the term really mean?
Many of us have had moments that feel mysterious or beyond our understanding — experiences that challenge the way we see the world. What’s interesting is that these experiences aren’t always “paranormal” in the traditional sense — they may actually be “perinormal.”
Understanding the difference between these two ideas can help us see our everyday experiences in a new light, making it easier to connect with the mystical side of life without feeling overwhelmed by the unknown.
“The word “paranormal” comes from the Greek word “para,” which means “outside” or “beyond” normal. It refers to things that are beyond the limits of what we can scientifically measure or explain.
Paranormal experiences, such as ghost sightings or psychic phenomena, defy logic and leave a lasting impact on those who experience them. They’re those mystical or supernatural experiences that break the rules of reality and are completely “outside of normal.”
“Perinormal, on the other hand, comes from the word “peri,” meaning “around” or “near.”. These experiences are on the edge of “normal” — they’re those things we sense, feel, or observe that are related to subtle, measurable energies or natural laws, but also remain mysterious and unexplained.
Perinormal experiences show us that the spiritual and mystical are often much closer to reality than we realize – they just exist in a space we do not yet fully understand, or perhaps never will?
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.
The Day The Angels Saved My Life
I know now that my angels kept me from going to work that day for a reason. I have also learned since that I still had work to do that was important enough to keep me safe from injury or worse.
I will never forget the day of the highway accident. It was September 3, 1999, and I had asked to be excused from work, which I never did. I was an office manager at a tool shop, working under a very arrogant accountant who had control issues with the employees.
I had worked there for several years without ever asking for extra time off, but he said no. He didn’t think I should have the day off because it was already a long weekend for us in Canada. The Labor Day holiday would have given me a four-day weekend instead of a three-day weekend.
He then threatened that I would lose my job if I took the day off because he didn’t approve of it and had no intention of changing his mind. But my gut was telling me very strongly that I simply could not go to work that day, I had to take it off. I didn’t know why at the time, I just knew I had to stay home.
So I did the only thing I could think of since my job security was in jeopardy – I went over his head to the owner and got the day off anyway! I later thanked the angels that I did that.
The accident happened about the same time I usually drive through the area on my way to work. I worked in Windsor, Ontario and lived in Valetta, which is almost an hour away. Every day I would get on the Queensline exit, east of Tilbury, and take the 401 to Oldcastle, where the 401 meets the highway. I have to admit I didn’t always drive the speed limit back then. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if I had driven my usual route to work that day!