In the Catholic tradition, encounters with the divine often serve as profound invitations to deeper faith and simpler living, echoing the Gospel’s call to childlike trust in God’s love. U.S. Air Force veteran and holistic counselor Chase Skylar DeMayo shares a compelling testimony of such an encounter through his 2008 near-death experience (NDE), revealing timeless spiritual truths rooted in joy, love, and divine guidance. Now a advocate for holistic healing, DeMayo recounted his story on The Other Side NDE YouTube channel, offering insights that resonate with Catholic teachings on grace and redemption.
Clinical Death and a Vision of Heaven
At 19, during a routine medical procedure on base, DeMayo suffered a cardiac arrest due to an air embolism in his IV, leading to clinical death. In that moment, he experienced leaving his body and rising into a boundless garden radiant with vivid colors and enveloped in unconditional love—a description evoking the heavenly paradise promised in Scripture. There, he met Jesus, who stood beside DeMayo’s own childlike self, symbolizing innocence and purity. Through telepathic communion, Jesus gently admonished him to rediscover the carefree joy of youth and release the burdens of over-seriousness, aligning with Christ’s words in Matthew 18:3 about becoming like children to enter the kingdom.
Jesus’s Message: Spread Joy, Light, and Laughter
DeMayo’s reflections capture the essence of this divine meeting. Jesus’s farewell message was clear: “When you go back, you have to spread joy, light, love, and laughter.” The inclusion of laughter struck DeMayo as uniquely profound, a reminder of the holy levity that counters worldly despair. He shares, “I had forgotten that I was meant to live this happy life… This is what life is really all about. It’s all about finding joy, not taking life so seriously.” This led to his personal creed, “Chase the Light,” where light represents the divine spark of joy in everyday pursuits. “The light is what brings you joy… Chasing the light doesn’t have to be something that you feel is super grand… It’s the small meaningful things that matter,” he explains, echoing Catholic emphasis on finding God in ordinary acts.
Spiritual Simplicity and Childlike Faith
At its heart, the message is one of spiritual simplicity: “It’s really the most simple message ever… Find something that feels good in your heart.” DeMayo urges believers to revisit childhood delights—playing music, dancing, or embracing passions long set aside—as pathways to encountering God’s joy. Even modest gestures, like showing kindness to others or tending to a pet, become acts of faith, mirroring the Corporal Works of Mercy.
This revelation has profoundly shaped DeMayo’s vocation. As a father, his greatest light is attentive presence with his son, embodying the Catholic value of family as a domestic church. He concealed his NDE during military service to avoid ridicule but now proclaims it publicly, particularly to aid veterans in their spiritual healing. Studying alternative medicine and metaphysical sciences, he integrates holistic approaches with faith-based wellness.
The Other Side NDE: Sharing Testimonies of Eternity
The interview, hosted by Nella on The Other Side NDE, highlights the channel’s commitment to genuine NDE stories from diverse global voices, presented in multiple languages for broad accessibility. Praised for its inclusive, hopeful content, it invites viewers into contemplative reflection on the afterlife.
Nella’s companion podcast, Ethereality, explores spiritual awakenings and growth through enriching conversations, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify—ideal for Catholics seeking deeper faith integration.
Living in God’s Light After Eternity
DeMayo’s journey illustrates how a brush with eternity can renew one’s commitment to living in God’s light, transforming trials into testimonies of grace. For Catholics, it’s a reminder to spread divine joy amid life’s seriousness. Subscribe to The Other Side NDE for more faith-affirming accounts, and discover Ethereality for spiritual nourishment. In chasing the light, we draw closer to the heart of Christ.
To hear Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo share his near-death experience in his own words, watch the full interview on The Other Side NDE. The video offers deeper insight into his encounter, message of joy, and spiritual transformation.
🎥 Watch here: Air Force Veteran Dies—Jesus Reminds Him Why He’s on Earth (NDE)
– Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo
