Yes, Dondi, this is the teaching of
`Pure Land' Buddhism. And in Hinduism this in-between state, this
merging is referred to as
Devachan. Theosophy, which of course, borrowed the teaching from Hinduism, presented it to the West ~125 years ago ... when it was
all but unknown to 99.9% of us.
And Buddhism, too, teaches that such a state exists, whether it is called
Nirvana, or somehow folded into the teaching of the Trikaya - specifically, the
Sambhogakaya aspect (or `bliss sheath'). Either way, the person would be experiencing the state of bliss
temporarily ... for not until the stage of Arhat can any of us enter into Nirvana for any lengthy stay.
And even the Arhat,
must return to continue his spiritual development, though he may choose to do this at a much later point. Esotericially, your Soul and mine, are technically ARHATS (most likely), whom and which achieved thier
goal on the earlier `Moon Chain' - which was the previous Cycle of Earth's evolution (many billions of years ago). They return, and make their Sacrifice, that
we too, might come to attain to their same status ... in this, or in some future cycle.
Other words for the Arhat include:
Arhan, Arahat, Arahant, Lohan, Rahat, Paramahamsa (as in `Paramahamsa Yogananda,' for example), etc.
But you and I are, neither one of us, arhats ... thus we shall have several more incarnations until we even have this option!
Now, as to the above quotes, from Thomas Sawyer and David Oakford, I would only have to assume that either they are
actually referring to the Arhat stage of spiritual evolution, whether they know it or not ... or else they are
being wishful, but are nonetheless mistaken. That is, of course, only
mho, and even an account I read just yesterday by someone I hold in very high esteem ... should be seen in this same light. It describes precisely what you've mentioned, Dondi - a near-death experience, in which the person involved was supposedly given an opportunity to
merge into the Universal Light and Love, and abide with God. I don't doubt that he was given this opportunity; but remember, all such experiences occur in a (relatively) timeless state. And this is
exactly what the upper portions of the
Mental world, or
Devachan, are like (existing in 5 dimensions, as opposed to the
4D astral plane).
You can read Steven Greer's brief account here, as a PDF:
http://www.disclosureproject.org/PDF-Documents/chapters_1_&_2.pdf
Anyway, just because someone presents a
New Age perspective, speaks of OOBEs and NDEs, and believes in rebirth (opportunities), does not mean they have the correct understanding. I think I quoted earlier, if not on this thread then on another, regarding the teachings of the early Theosophists on this matter. It is pointed out that
all the wrong details were seized upon and emphasized, not out of any wrong intention or wish to mislead, but simply because much of the investigation was being conducted from an
astral plane point of view. Good motives are one thing, but the astral plane is a world of
distortions and illusion (or `glamour') ... and much misleading information has been given out. Thus, I think we have the explanation here, for the inaccurate (because over-enthusiastic) points you have quoted.
And of course, I could just be -
flat wrong. 
cheers,
~Andrew
