One weekend when I was a senior in high school, my brother, three friends, and I decided to visit a college campus. We were all Christian Scientists and spent most of the six-hour trip exploring metaphysical ideas together. The discussion was animated and engrossing.

As we rounded the top of a small hill toward the end of the trip, we did not see the four-way stop signs, and crashed into a car crossing an intersection. I was sitting in the back seat, and when I heard the screeching brakes, one thought filled my consciousness—that Mind, God, is All. I also had a very certain sense that my identity was intact and spiritual. These thoughts were all that I was aware of; they were a powerful, peaceful presence, and because of them I felt detached from the whole experience.

When all the commotion of the accident ceased, I found I had a deep gash in my forehead, although I felt absolutely no pain. Our driver ended up outside the car; the door was completely smashed in where he had been sitting. No one could explain how he avoided being crushed and managed to get out of the car.