The first half of Chapter 2 explores near-death experiences (NDEs) through various lenses. The author begins by recounting the story of Tyler Carroll, a combat medic in Afghanistan who had a profound NDE during a firefight. Carroll’s experience included a life review where he simultaneously relived his entire 21 years of existence, feeling intense love for his family and a sense of universal consciousness. Despite being severely wounded, Carroll cycled through periods of unconsciousness while continuing to treat his injured comrades.

Junger describes a mysterious experience that occurred during the last days of his father’s illness. He was awoken in the middle of the night because he heard his father screaming his name, despite the fact that his father was in Boston and Junger was in New York. Upon checking the time, he noted it was 3:15 am. Later that morning, Junger received a call from his mother informing him that his father had attempted to throw himself out of bed at 3:15 am, which his father’s nurse interpreted as a sign of his impending death. Junger notes that he was never able to explain dreams such as these.

Junger shares that after being discharged from the hospital following his own near-death experience, he cycled between intense states of appreciation for life and overwhelming panic.