A near-death experience helps author choose a new life

Emile Allen, M.D., Eaten By The Tiger; Surrendering To An Empowered Life, Inspire On Purpose Publishing, 2013, ISBN -10; 0988753308 and ISBN-13; 978-0-9887533-0-3, 144 Pages, $21.99..

SAN DIEGO — When author Emile Allen was told by a meditation guru “you need to be Eaten By The Tiger” he did not understand. Reluctantly taken to Fiji for a meditation vacation by a group of friends, Allen didn’t realize that a few days later he would be eaten by the tiger and it would change his life forever. After reading this book you too will hopefully be Eaten By The Tiger!

Years earlier Allen experienced that rare phenomena called a near death experience.  This was incredibly intriguing to me because of what a near death experience might be like and what information could be related to me from “the other side.” While “dead,”author Emile Allen saw a figure and heard a voice say “I’m not ready for you yet. You have more work to do.” His journey was to figure that out. Our journey as readers is to incorporate what he has learned and experienced into our lives. What I wasn’t expecting was some incredible advice and epiphanies that I got from reading this wonderful book. I am actually grateful to Allen for the opportunity of an amazing flashback from my own childhood.  This, combined with his advice, has actually changed my life since I have finished reading this book.

This true story about a surgeon being electrocuted while in the operating room conducting surgery and enduring a near death experience is riveting and compelling. It doesn’t matter if you are in a slump or if your life is meandering along at a status quo pace. The story will shake you by the shoulders to reexamine your life and make it better, make it profound and make it meaningful. It will scream out at you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and make life special, extraordinary and most of all to become a mensch. In the Jewish tradition of accomplishing mitzvot and serving others it basically comes down to that – live your life as a mensch and with gratitude. Especially as an American. If you have lived or even visited a third world country and experienced living without, then you might know what Dr. Allen means.

The first half of the book tells the crazy and true story of the electrocution and what damage it did to Allen. It is hard to put down and if you have ever had an illness or health issue you will really understand the issues he faced. The second half of the book shows and tells the difficult climb back to a life completely different from life as a surgeon. No longer able to perform surgery Allen had to find a new life that could encompass his new disabilities. In addition to the incredible pain and other physical problems Allen developed a seizure disorder from the brain damage the electrocution caused. The stories are amazing, true and very difficult to stop reading, I could not put the book down and finished it in two evenings, quite an accomplishment for what I juggle on my plate on a daily basis, but like I said, it profoundly changed the way I look at life.

Allen himself is a mensch. What he did and how he went out of his way to help people in Fiji, the incredible story of how he saved the tiny penis of a newborn, and as a son what he did for his father are not only tear-jerking but heartwarming and beautiful.

Allen talks adamantly about removing yourself from a frozen state; not being able to function or move or make a decision. He suggested that to make a move, any move is crucial, even when you aren’t sure if the move was a good one or not; the importance of simply making a move, any move is vital to moving your life forward. One of the things that happened while I was reading was realizing I was in a frozen state, unable to move away from relationships that were not good for me. I have a relative that I cannot talk to right now and Allen’s words soothed and validated my decisions, relaxing my frayed nerves.

Another interesting concept Allen talks about is surrender. This is what “Eaten By The Tiger” means. It means surrendering yourself to the situation and relaxing and having faith. The best way for me to describe this is to describe the epiphany I had after reading this page. It was an experience I had when I was a very young child. My mother loved to swim way out in the ocean and I was afraid of the great waves. While waiting for her on the beach I played in the sand. She came back with her legs covered in blood and cuts. But curiously she was happy and exhilarated and smiled telling me don’t worry as I began to cry asking what happened. She explained she got caught in a rip tide and told me that she simply relaxed and went with the current. Don’t spend your energy fighting it she said, it will eventually die down and you will have the energy to swim out. My mother knew about this and her experience in the rip tides drove his point home to me. Two days later after reading this I was in a personal situation I had been battling for a long time and I was able to easily surrender and relax and have faith. I too was Eaten By The Tiger!!*
Ross is a freelance writer based in San Diego.  She may be contacted at melanie.ross@sdjewishworld.com