A man who clinically died and claims to have experienced “heaven” has revealed three profound lessons he brought back from his journey.
Vincent Tolman’s extraordinary story began in 2003, when a near-fatal overdose drastically altered the course of his life. At just 25 years old, the bodybuilding enthusiast from Texas consumed a potent dietary supplement he had ordered from Thailand. Unbeknownst to him, the product contained dangerously high levels of GHB.
Excited to try it, Tolman and a friend took the supplement, but it triggered severe reactions. After experiencing vomiting, a slowed heart rate, and eventually losing consciousness, Tolman’s situation escalated rapidly.
A Near-Fatal Incident
Tolman sought relief at a Dairy Queen, where he collapsed in the restroom. The overdose caused him to suffocate on his own vomit, and when paramedics arrived, he was unresponsive. Despite their attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead and zipped into a body bag.
Miraculously, one EMT decided to try resuscitating him again—an act that defied standard protocol. Against all odds, after 45 minutes of clinical death, Tolman’s heart restarted.
Observing Life from Beyond
While his physical body remained in a coma for three days, Tolman described a profound spiritual journey. He recalled observing the paramedics working on him from an external perspective, even sensing their thoughts and emotions.
He was guided through what he describes as “heaven” by a figure in white, later identified as his great-grandfather. This spiritual guide communicated telepathically, sharing deep insights about existence, life, and the afterlife.
A Life Review
One of the most impactful experiences Tolman recounted was a life review. He relived every action he had taken, both good and bad, but from the perspectives of those his actions had affected. This process allowed him to feel their emotions and reactions, revealing how even small acts of kindness had created positive ripples.
Initially overwhelmed by a dark and fearful energy, Tolman eventually felt warmth and peace as he turned toward the good he had done in life. The love and serenity he experienced were unlike anything he had felt before. His guide explained that life is not a punishment or test, but rather a school—a place for growth, learning, and connection.
The Three Lessons from the Afterlife
Tolman learned three key lessons during his journey, as shared with UNILAD:
- Be Authentic: Living authentically is crucial, as time spent being inauthentic is time wasted.
- Life is for Growth, Not Judgment: The purpose of life is to grow and learn, not to be judged.
- Unconditional Love is Key: Loving all living beings—people, animals, and nature—creates glimpses of heaven on Earth.
These lessons emphasized the power of love and authenticity in shaping a meaningful life.
Choosing to Return
Tolman’s spiritual journey ended with a critical choice: remain in the peaceful afterlife or return to his physical body. His guide reminded him of the heartbreak his passing would cause his loved ones, especially his mother. Moved by this realization, Tolman decided to return, despite the challenges he would face.
“Dying was beautiful and peaceful,” he later admitted. “The hard part was coming back.”
A Renewed Purpose
When Tolman awoke, he struggled to process the profound experience. Over time, he came to terms with it, embracing his renewed purpose in life. Remarkably, he recognized his spiritual guide in a photograph of his great-grandfather, a man he had never met.
Since his experience, Tolman has written a book titled The Light After Death: My Journey to Heaven and Back and works as a life coach, sharing the wisdom he gained to help others find meaning and peace in their own lives.
Tolman’s story continues to inspire others to reflect on the importance of authenticity, growth, and unconditional love in their everyday lives.