Houston IANDS August Meeting:
ROADBLOCKS:
What Keeps Us From Fulfilling Our Purpose?
with Pat Johnson
Monday, August 28, 2023 | 6:30-8:00 PM CST
Held online via Zoom
Free of Charge | Donations Appreciated
At the age of 52, Pat Johnson felt like he was leading a very average, mid-age American’s life. He and his wife owned a small business that was putting their younger kids through college. Although, they dealt with the pains of bringing children to adulthood, they were happy, and were looking forward to their future. Pat never expected the turn his life was about to take. He was completely unprepared for it.
On September 12th, 2010, Pat was sucked into a pipe under a bridge while on a kayaking trip. He was held under water until he lost consciousness. His unconscious body was then pushed through the pipe, and he tumbled down the river in its rapids. His childhood friend and kayaking partner, Bobby, jumped off of the bridge and caught up to Pat’s dying body. He was able to pull Pat’s body to the shallows of the river and resuscitate him.
After losing consciousness, Pat found himself in a different place. A different world. During this experience he was shown what our purpose is here on earth and given insights on how to carry this out. He was given messages, not about dying, but messages of how we are supposed to live. These are universal lessons that apply to all of us, and can improve the lives of everyone.
Pat has seen that many others have heard the same messages and have had the same realizations about their purpose. Yet living with and through that purpose can be challenging. Self-doubt, guilt, fear of losing connection with others, and many other barriers get in the way. Most of these barriers are internal. Join us to hear Pat discuss what dying taught him about purpose, as well as how to overcome the roadblocks that keep us from fulfilling it.
OUR SPEAKER:
Pat Johnson
Pat Johnson has been a member of IANDS since 2010. He is one of the founders and organizers of the Houston chapter, having led the Austin chapter for 2 years. Pat had an NDE on September 12th, 2010 when he drowned during a kayaking accident. Pat’s story has been featured on the History channel’s program “In Search Of,” on the front page of the Austin American Statesman, and in the UT Health Science alumni magazine, and his Youtube channel has had 1.5 million views. Pat is the organizer and producer of the “Wisdom of the Near Death Experience” symposiums. Pat has lectured at Texas State since 2010, and he has also given lectures for the IANDS national conference, at churches, and for the Wisdom of the Near Death Experience symposiums. He is Member of the Fire Flies, an NDE retreat group. Pat has been a business owner and entrepreneur for 40 years. He has served as his church’s President, Treasurer, and council member for years. Pat is also a leader of Divorce Care support groups for the last twelve years. He is a father and stepfather to six and grandfather to 19. He lives with his wife Jody in Wimberley, Texas.
Houston IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) at the Texas Medical Center serves as a safe space to support those who have had a near-death experience as they integrate their experience into their lives. Houston IANDS also serves to inform the public about NDEs and the lessons and messages that experiencers bring back, and to educate the medical community to recognize and appropriately treat people who have had an NDE.