I had a near death experience when I younger, going to the light and as I got closer ther was this immense feeling of love (the terminology I choose to call it and could it have been the Christ - that is aterm associated with love) I turned back when I realized it wasn't my time and I had more people to connect with. After that I had no fear of death - it would be a merger with the light and the love. As for meaning and purpose I found that more through my meditations and teachings of the Buddha.
Thanks for sharing your story and these amazing books!