Next Level Soul Podcast with Alex Ferrari

Episode 658: He Was an ATHEIST Until He DIED and Discovered WHAT COMES NEXT (NDE) with Anton Grosz

Date: January 20, 2026
Guest: Anton Grosz

Episode Overview

In this transformative episode, Alex Ferrari sits down with Anton Grosz, whose journey from "devout atheism" to a profound near-death experience (NDE) shaped his career in spiritual care and his philosophy on consciousness. Anton, a former atheist raised in a scientifically minded Jewish family, recounts how skepticism gave way to spiritual awakening following an out-of-body, near-death experience during meditation. He shares how this paradigm shift influenced his work in hospice, his studies of world religions, and the message of oneness and joy he now brings to others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Anton’s Atheist Roots

• Devout Atheism & Family Outlook

  • Anton's family: highly skeptical, scientifically oriented, and deeply affected by the Holocaust.
  • "I actually call them devout atheists." (04:37, Anton)
  • Grandfather’s perspective: “God is the sum total of man's ignorance.” (04:43, Anton)

• Childhood Morality without God

  • Even as a child, Anton argued that morality didn’t require belief in God.
  • "Oh, Beverly, I just know that's wrong. You just don't do it because it's not the right thing. I don't need God for that." (07:33, Anton)

The Transformative Near-Death Experience (NDE)

• Curiosity Sparks the Experiment

  • Anton's introduction to Siddha Yoga meditation after his brother-in-law's death, initially motivated by skepticism (08:51–12:42).
  • “I kind of was a natural. I felt really, really good at it.” (08:51, Anton)

• The Experience Itself [15:23–20:00]

  • Anton describes intentionally inducing an out-of-body state during meditation by exhaling and holding his breath.
  • Physical sensations: pain, shaking, then euphoria and peace as he perceived himself outside his body.
  • Saw a tunnel of light: “Suddenly I went through... I was in a space of brightness. Unbelievable. Greater, brighter, more incredible than anything I could have ever believed existed.” (17:22, Anton)
  • “At such peace. I can't tell you the peace, the comfort, the joy, the one that... the feel inside while my body is going crazy on the floor.” (18:54, Anton)
  • He describes a sensation of “wires pulled out of my head” and then being “put back in a different place” (20:00, Anton).
  • Returning to his body, involuntarily declaring: “I am reborn. I am reborn in God.” (20:58, Anton)

Integrating the Experience & Its Aftermath

• Facing Family & Community

  • Met with skepticism and concern: “Are you crazy? What happened to you? What's the matter with you?” (21:52, Anton)
  • Cites a formative college experience where he stood up for his own perception against peer pressure as critical preparation for trusting his NDE (23:52–25:37).

• Shift to Spiritual Purpose

  • Felt his life, with all its stages and skills, was leading to sharing this insight of universal oneness: “We're not separate leaves, we're one tree.” (28:23, Anton)
  • “If you tell me it doesn't exist, I can say, well, I've been there.” (29:22, Anton)

Spiritual Care, Hospice, and Lessons on Dying

• Transitioning into Hospice Work

  • Became a non-denominational minister and hospice chaplain after further studies (29:56–32:08).
  • Emphasizes humility and open dialogue about spiritual beliefs in end-of-life care.
  • “For me, the only person you have to fear is a person who says, my way is the only way.” (32:00, Anton)

• Meaningful Moments in Hospice

  • Helping patients and families navigate death with compassion and insight.
  • Moving analogy: comforting a dying mother and facilitating her peaceful passing with “therapeutic touch.”
    “I realized what a blessing I had been given to help her into the next world, like she helped me into this world.” (40:05, Anton)

• Perspective on Regret and Grief

  • Gentle coaching for those struggling—grief often reflects self-focus and attachment.
  • “If you loved her... you should be smiling and happy she was in your life. If you're crying, you're thinking of yourself and what you miss.” (34:24, Anton)

Insights on Consciousness & Existence

• Love and Universe’s Balance

  • After his NDE, Anton sensed the universe is fundamentally balanced—symbolized by seeing Earth as a yin-yang. (41:44–43:57)
  • “Everything in the universe is balanced… the universe itself is balanced, even if it’s coming together or spreading apart.” (43:06, Anton)

• Universal Consciousness

  • Anton discusses “new consciousness”: the sense that ‘I am’—the awareness—unites all living beings.
  • “I am not this little piece of meat, Anton Gross. I am... the oneness of it all.” (46:14, Anton)
  • Teaching: the source of happiness and purpose is living authentically and joyfully.
  • “We are built, we're designed to do what gives us joy. Because the entire creation of the universe was to give joy to the Creator, to the ultimate.” (49:45, Anton)

Death, Reincarnation & Life’s Purpose

• Reincarnation & Soul Agreements

  • Anton affirms his belief in reincarnation and soul blueprints, based on personal memories (46:14–48:03).
  • “We don’t cease to exist, but our connection to the body ceases to exist. And then if we enjoyed having a body, we can come back in another one.” (57:27, Anton)
  • Reflects on childhood prodigies as evidence of past life talents.

• On Death & Advice for the Dying and Families

  • “[Share] a prayer... May what is supposed to happen, happen with no pain or suffering for anyone.” (54:14, Anton)
  • “Any physical thing is going to die... but the consciousness within it, the awareness within it does not come to an end.” (54:39, Anton)
  • Encourages moving towards the light, letting go of fear, and embracing the transition as natural (56:13–57:27).

Humanity’s Accelerated Spiritual Evolution

• Consciousness & Technology Growth

  • Observes a rapid acceleration in both technology and collective consciousness within his lifetime.
  • “We are at that point, and it has been going faster.” (64:08, Anton)
  • “Computers that have less power than what you're wearing on your wrist.” (65:05, Anton)
  • Draws analogy between biological evolution (rocks, plants, animals, humans) and the current leap in consciousness and technology.

• AI and Future Consciousness

  • Contemplates the role of AI as a possible evolution of consciousness beyond biological forms.
  • “Who says that consciousness, the feeling of I am, has to exist in a piece of meat... maybe it could exist in metal and silicon.” (69:14, Anton)

Notable Quotes

• "God is the sum total of man's ignorance."
  -- Anton’s grandfather, as quoted by Anton (04:43)

• “I am reborn. I am reborn in God.”
  -- Anton describing his spontaneous words after his NDE (20:58)

• “We're not separate leaves, we're one tree... if I hurt you, I'm hurting myself.”
  -- Anton (28:23)

• “For me, the only person you have to fear is a person who says, 'My way is the only way.'”
  -- Anton (32:00)

• “We are built, we're designed to do what gives us joy. Because the entire creation of the universe was to give joy to the Creator, to the ultimate.”
  -- Anton (49:45)

• “Any physical thing is going to die... but the consciousness within it, the awareness within it does not come to an end.”
  -- Anton (54:39)

• “Why would I hurt you if I knew that you were me?... That’s the decision humanity has to make right now.”
  -- Anton (65:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Anton’s Atheist Upbringing – [04:10–08:30]
• Initiation into Meditation and NDE – [08:51–20:00]
• Describing NDE and Returning to Life – [15:23–21:39]
• Navigating Skepticism Post-Experience – [21:39–29:22]
• Transition to Hospice & Spiritual Work – [29:56–32:21]
• Stories from Hospice: Helping Others Pass – [32:42–41:21]
• Discussion on Consciousness & Reincarnation – [41:21–49:45]
• Advice for the Dying and Their Families – [53:49–57:27]
• Consciousness Rising and Tech Leap – [59:24–65:23]
• Thoughts on AI and Evolving Consciousness – [69:14–70:18]

Further Resources

• Book: Handbook for a New Consciousness: The Next Step in Human Evolution by Anton Grosz ([70:28])
• Website: antongrosz.com ([71:03])
• Monday Meditation Sessions: Meditation Chapel, led by Anton ([71:01])

Final Message

Anton’s overarching message is one of unity, joy, and the transcendent continuity of consciousness:

"I am, you are, and we are one. That's the way it should be and we should know that."
(71:25, Anton)

He encourages all to seek joy, embrace oneness, and let go of the fear of death—trusting in the enduring nature of awareness and love.