Question: Many people who have close calls with death often report a similar experience — coming face to face with a luminous being or a light which gives them a message. What are these beings?

Sri Chinmoy: Sometimes they are not beings at all, but only the souls of deceased relatives. Sometimes they are old and friendly acquaintances from the previous incarnations. Sometimes they are fate-making angels or deities. Sometimes they are fruitful imaginations of the seeker's soulful aspiration.