Embracing Your Past Life Self

One of the most common fears that I encounter in my work doing past life regressions is the idea that one will discover that they were a "terrible person" in a previous incarnation.  The concept that you might not like yourself or the things that you might have done in a past life can indeed become a real hindrance to fully opening up to this process.  Often, people are afraid that they will find out about some evil past deed which having done will make them a horrible human being.  In order to address this issue, we must examine the purpose that our past lives play in our current lives.

What is it all for?  If we do come back again and again to live different lifetimes in different bodies, what is the reason?  Is it a random occurrence, in which we find the first available womb to jump back into after we depart our bodies at death?  Or is there a pattern or a design to which specific lives and circumstances we choose?  My experience has led me to believe that there is a plan or a "big picture" for our lifetimes, and that we seek the situations that will give us the best learning opportunities.  Simply put, I believe that we are here to learn.

We can then compare this world that we live in to a large, elaborate and highly complex school for personal and spiritual growth.  Each and every individual and circumstance that we encounter over the course of a lifetime is a chance for a lesson, and we seem to be graded on a pass-fail basis.  This does not mean that we ever "fail" at life, it simply means that the choices we make on a daily basis are either correct (loving and compassionate) or not.  And if we don't make the best choices, they will be presented to us once more in a different incarnation over and over until we do.

Other people that we encounter, and the every day situations that we find ourselves in are how these choices are cleverly presented to us.  This is called "karma".  This term is one that we often hear being thrown around at yoga class and we often see it in the New Age section at the bookstore.  Sometimes, this term is used with the words "bad" and "good" placed directly in front of it.  For many, this implies that doing something kind or generous will give us "good karma", which will earn us a reward in the next life for being such a wonderful person.  On the other hand, "bad karma" is something that we fear, and there is an underlying threat of punishment for our "bad" behavior.

Translated from Sanskrit, karma literally means "action".  This literal translation makes karma somewhat different from the common conception of it being something that you get in either a good or bad way.  Karma is a deed, or an action.  To me, this term also implies "to act".  By this definition then, karma can also be a verb, meaning to do something, to be active, or to take action.  Karma is not only what we do, but also the act of doing it.

Naturally there is good, or right action as well as bad, or wrong action.  What makes an action right or wrong?  By how loving, compassionate and kind this action is.  Our every action has an impact (I also believe that words and thoughts have a similar power), and can work to either help or harm others or ourselves.  I know what you're thinking, each and every single action, word and thought is way too much to think about.  Don't worry, we're in school, remember?  We are learning to be more loving beings and what is important is that we are dedicated to giving it our best effort.

We are presented with the option to make loving choices or not nearly every minute of every day.  Most of us are so absorbed in our daily routines that we hardly notice these situations as they appear, sometimes in the form of the breathless, harried individual making a mad dash to the elevator giving you a pleading look as you stand inside.  Although it is truly difficult to know whether or not holding the door for them is going to benefit them (they might need to miss it so they can experience an important encounter on the next one), being kind, caring and polite whenever you can is definitely more loving than being rude, callous and unkind. 

The term "action" from our karma definition to me also implies a "reaction".  It is equally important how we respond to the actions of others.  If someone blatantly steals the taxi you were about to get into out of the pouring rain, you then have a choice.  You can shake your fist at them, pepper them with all kinds of colorful curses and kick the soaking wet curb to show your indignation.  Or, you can take a deep breath, shake your head at how incredibly rude that person was, and then proceed to hail another.  You would have to find another taxi or an alternate means of transportation anyway, unless you wanted to spend the entire day standing on the street corner in the rain.  But, you can choose to do it without raising your blood pressure and ruining your whole day by getting angry.  You might never know if your kinder choice made a difference in the other person's life, but you will quickly become aware of the fact that it does in yours.

This action and reaction stuff sounds simple and easy, but we all know that it is extremely difficult to practice.  And, you needn't be a math genius to figure that the greater the number of people and situations that you encounter in a single day, the greater the number of these choices.  This fact is precisely why city living is substantially more spiritually challenging than living a more rural existence.  Those of us who live in urban areas are inundated with encounters with our fellow human beings everywhere we go, and we cannot make choices for them.  We can only choose for ourselves.

So, that all said, we need to brace ourselves somewhat for what kind of mistakes we might have made in our past lives.  Most of us have studied enough history to know that there have been some pretty awful things that people have done to one another over the course of human existence.  Murder, torture, rape, enslavement and even genocide are just a few examples of the horrific side of our history.  These same things unfortunately still happen today.

What is the role that we ourselves have played in all of this?  Before we can be completely compassionate and enlightened beings who only make loving choices, we must first deal with our issues of power, greed, lust and anger.  Understanding that these darker issues are part of human experience can change how we approach the process of uncovering our past lives.  Even the most enlightened of us still struggle with these issues and more in some form or another.

I have myself made some terrible choices in my past lives.  Remembering myself as someone who has taken another human life (please don't judge me for the mistakes that I made in the Stone Age) was overwhelming to say the least.  In my current incarnation I am a person who has an incredible amount of respect for life in all its' forms.  I am a vegetarian, a tree hugger, an insect rescuer, and am devoted to causes that work to diminish suffering wherever it is found.  It is certainly good news that I have managed to evolve from being a murderer into a significantly more loving person over the course of many lifetimes (I am somewhat of a slow learner).  Now I can focus on the myriad of other issues that I am still struggling with.

So, why do we need to know all of this?  If we have all done terrible things in our past lives, what would be the point of bringing all of that up?  Isn't it better left alone, and let the past stay in the past?  Perhaps, except that the point of all of this is to learn and evolve.  The better we can understand where we have been, the more we can learn from our past mistakes in hopes of not repeating them.  When we find the courage to confront the darkest parts of our past, we can work on evolving consciously and thoughtfully into more loving and enlightened beings.

As we uncover our past life stories, we can begin to know who we are on a deeper level that includes those dark inner parts that only we know even exist.  By embracing our past life selves and accepting them as a more youthful and inexperienced version of who we have become today, we are becoming more compassionate and loving to ourselves.  Surely, you wouldn't judge yourself for not knowing Algebra in Kindergarten.  And it's nice to see just how far you've come. 

Past Life Regression and Hypnosis: Debunked, Demystified and Plainly Described

"What is a past life regression?"  That is by far my most frequently asked question.  Quite simply, past life regression is the process of uncovering memories that can't be attributed to an experience that has occurred in this lifetime.  Or, even simpler:  you remember your own past lives.  That's right.  How do you do that?  This is accomplished through a process called hypnosis.  Now you're scared, right?  Hypnosis has gathered itself a rather unsavory reputation in our culture, thanks to media portrayal of "mind control" or individuals "going to sleep".  The truth is, the actual experience of hypnosis is nothing like the Hollywood version.  I was quite surprised by how it felt the first time I was hypnotized, and nearly all of my clients express that it was not at all like they thought it would be.  

Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration that can be reached by relaxing enough to tune into our subconscious mind and gain access to the wealth of information stored in there, including our unconscious memories.  Contrary to popular belief, you cannot be controlled in any way while under hypnosis or hypnotized against your will.  I once sat on a plane next to a man who asked me to stop gesturing with my hands when I talked, because he did not want to be hypnotized.  This was hilarious to me, and my active imagination immediately began to fantasize about having the ability to wave my hands like a Jedi Master so the world would do my bidding.  Nice thought, but simply not reality.  That particular man's desire to not be hypnotized is exactly the reason that I could have never accomplished it, regardless of what I did or how much I waved my hands around (I do admit that I possess this often-annoying habit of talking with my hands).  Hypnosis is a completely voluntary experience.  This is probably not good news for some of you who have participated in "stage" hypnosis.  I promise you that if you quacked like a duck or ate an onion thinking it was an apple in front of hundreds of people, you did so because you wanted to; at least on some level.

We have all experienced hypnosis.  In fact, we unknowingly move in and out of different states of hypnosis consistently throughout the day.  Anyone who has ever been really engrossed in a TV show, behind the wheel of a car not realizing the light has changed, or glanced at the clock and were shocked to discover that indeed a whole hour had passed, has experienced light hypnosis.  When you use hypnosis for past life regression, a trained (and hopefully skilled) hypnotist guides you to a very deep state of relaxation and watches you closely for certain body cues that let them know when you are relaxed enough to tap into these memories.  This relaxation level varies from person to person, and for a past life regression I don't really want my clients to go too deep.  Someone who is deeply under and blissed out on my couch might have an amazing experience in their own head, but I simply can't guide you through it if you can't talk and interact with me.  That said a medium level usually does suffice for my purposes.

There are a variety of techniques with fancy names for inducing hypnosis; the effectiveness of each varies for each individual based on several factors including personality.  Ascertaining which to use for each client is somewhat of an art form and is, for most of us hypnotists, a largely intuitive process.  Regardless of the technique used, the end result is a very calm, relaxed, peaceful person that is actively conversing with their subconscious mind.  This hypnotized person is constantly aware of what they are experiencing, as the conscious mind does not ever disappear at any point in the process.  

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome in a hypnosis session is a person's natural tendency to actively interpret the information coming forward rather than allowing it to flow unhindered.  The fact that we are "aware" while under hypnosis is exactly what makes it so compelling and potentially life changing, as we have the ability to retain and instantly integrate this subconscious material, which is often incredibly profound to the individual experiencing it.  Most people remember everything that was said and done while they were under hypnosis.  Those who don't often find that the missing information surfaces over the course of the next few days, either through dreams, deja-vu sensations, or rather spontaneously.

Another common fear that people have is that they cannot be hypnotized.  It is true that an individual's natural capacity for that type of relaxation does vary, but the overwhelming majority of us can.  Those who don't have an experience the first time often just need to practice.  The way that you practice being a better hypnosis subject is to meditate.  For those of you rolling your eyes, I would like to inform you that we are once again dealing with a largely misunderstood term.  Meditation is the act of closing your eyes (or not, if you prefer), breathing deeply and trying the very best you can to quiet the incessant chatter taking place in most of our heads.  Meditation is a personal practice that has nothing to do with belonging to any particular culture or religious denomination.  It has only to do with You (your self) and You (your inner self), and finding a way to introduce them to one another.

There are many different ways to meditate.  Experimenting with different poses, times of day and locations are the best ways to find what works for you.  Meditating in a group can be a powerful experience, as being in the presence of others gathered together for the same purpose magnifies the effect exponentially.  Many beginners find a group beneficial, but you don't need one to get started.

Some people find it useful to chant a word or phrase that they find pleasant to help them to focus, which is called a mantra.  This mantra can be anything at all, use your imagination and find your own.  Just make certain that it will be a phrase that serves to enhance your relaxation, otherwise it will only become a distraction and a hindrance.  If you don't speak Sanskrit, then you might find that it feels awkward to use it in your meditation practice.  Or maybe this beautiful and poetic language rolls easily off of your tongue and using it becomes a source of inspiration.  Some of my personal favorite mantras are "relax", "let it go", "be here now" and "calm is good".  A mantra can work well as a foil for our usual inner dialogue, which we are working to escape from; that voice in our head reminding us to buy dog food, recounting an unpleasant dialogue with our boss, or wondering when that cute guy you met last week is going to call.  A mantra is not necessary, however.

What is most important is that your meditation practice feels comfortable and natural for you; otherwise you will not enjoy it.  You can sit, lie down, cook, take a shower, stand on your head, or do anything at all that you find conducive to quieting your own mind.  This meditative state is extremely pleasant (this is your best "happy place"), and over time you will begin to realize that you are experiencing what I call the "real you".

This meditative state that I have been describing is nearly identical to what you experience under hypnosis.  Practicing this will help you reach a trance state more rapidly and ensure better results over time for your hypnosis sessions.  Incorporating a meditation practice into your life will also provide you with a myriad of physical and mental benefits; including an enhanced ability to focus, a more robust immune system and a better night's sleep.

And now we have only to address the rather large elephant in the room.  Past lives?  Really!?  I believe so.  But, I also think that it is important for each of us as individuals to seek out our own beliefs.  Truth can be an extremely personal concept, and what is true for me might not necessarily be true for you.  I have done many past life regressions under hypnosis, and I believe that the memories from these incredible experiences do indeed belong to me.  The intense emotions involved with these memories feel genuine; and the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and other sensations I have experienced have all been incredibly vivid.  The people, places and situations I have remembered while under hypnosis all speak to me, and I feel that what I have learned about myself has been invaluable to my current lifetime.  I truly believe that who I am is the sum of my existence.  This is my own found, unique and individual truth.  What seems to matter the most in this, or any life is our commitment to this on-going search; for without knowing our own truth, we can never really know ourselves.