Nancy Rynes was riding her bicycle when a large SUV approached. The vehicle's driver, absorbed in texting while driving, plowed right into Rynes.

Suffering from severe spinal and head injuries, Rynes knew she was dying. At that moment, she underwent the first of two life-changing near-death experiences-her consciousness split between her frightened, injured self laying on the road, and an impartial, peaceful observer-consciousness who watched as first responders fought to keep her alive. Her second, more lengthy near-death experience came days later, during the surgery that...