The mind forms thoughts based on the five senses. If we eliminate all five senses we would experience the first level of emptiness - blank. This is the experience of someone who loses consciousness medically but is not clinically dead yet.

If we were to die we will start seeing signs before losing consciousness. Temporary bliss will happen as soon as we reach the final stage of death, but for those who haven't trained in the clear light of bliss will suddenly get dragged into a dreadful feeling of suffering before continuing into the next destination.