Nadia Kroon o.p.
The Meaning of Light
A doctoral thesis about the meaning of light in near-death experiences and the New Testament.
Why this topic matters to me
It is intriguing to me that millions of people see and feel the presence of a 'light' that many describe as divine, even when they do not have a religious background. Moreover, the way they describe the unconditional love of this light has inspired my personal faith and pastoral work. It has caused me to reevaluate the central theological message of the christian faith in the direction of a more inclusive and kind version. It is my hope that this academic exploration can in time contribute to the development of the message of religion in this modern age of globalization toward tolerance, diversity and hope.
Why I believe it is important to society
Circa 5% of the world's population has a near-death experience during their lifetime. An experience of being profoundly accepted and uplifted by a divine presence, during and - in their experience - even after their death. An experience that allows them to belief they are not alone and life has meaning. Many people are profoundly impacted by this experience, yet find it difficult to talk about it and relate their experience to other sources in our shared human history. This hinders their process of integration once they return to everyday life. To aid in their meaning making, a process of dialogue needs to be developed between individual experiences and existing wisdom traditions; not as an overlay of the latter of one over the other, but as a supportive resource of the individual should that person wish it, and an opportunity to enrich both the individual experience and the wisdom traditions we hold in common, including those traditions we categorize as religious.
Impact of the Ladies of Bethany Chair on my life and career
I come from a background where female leadership, especially in the setting of church and theology was uncommon and even ridiculed or disapproved. Therefore, despite recommendations and encouragement from the female professors at my former university, I was not confident that I had the skills and intelligence to undertake a doctoral thesis. It was through the professor appointed to the Ladies of Bethany Chair that I received the required combination of encouragement, feedback and training that allowed me to believe the opposite and to have come as far as I did. Hearing about the experiences of other phd students, I realize how much she goes the extra mile for her students and how sharp and precise (and therefore helpful) her feedback is. I now fully realize that academic research - and being able to teach what I know - has been my main joy and (professional) vocation all along. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the world with my gifts and for the pleasure and confidence it has given me. I now hope I can continue in this line of work after the completion of this thesis.
The difference I hope my work will make in the world
I hope that people who have had a near-death experience will feel less lonely and lost in trying to come to terms with what has happened to them. I hope that they will feel comforted and inspired in the knowledge that the Light has inspired and 'enlightened' so many others and that they are part of a continuing dialogue and exploration that forms such an integral part of humanity's journey. I also hope that christianity and religion in general will learn to rediscover and reformulate - through these modern mystical experiences - the core of their teachings which is unconditional love, hope, and trust in a better tomorrow.
Publications