One of the most controversial techniques used in hypnotherapy is the “PLR” or “Past Life Regression” technique. Before I get into details, let me explain the process for the benefit of my readers who are unaware of the technique.
Simply put, past life regression is a technique of hypnotherapy wherein we use the process of hypnosis to “regress” or “take an individual” into their past life. Since the process of hypnotherapy itself is “subjective” i.e. every individual experiences the process differently based on different aspects like their personality traits, conditioning and belief systems. Some might see it like a dream, some might experience it more realistically.
According to mythology, the Upanishads mention past-life regression, but the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali discuss the concept in greater detail. Written during the 2nd century BC, the Hindu scholar Patañjali discussed the idea of the soul becoming burdened with an accumulation of impressions as part of the karma from previous lives. Patañjali called the process of past-life regression prati-prasav (literally "reverse birthing") and saw it as addressing current problems through memories of past lives. Some types of yoga continue to use prati-prasav as a practice.
(Source Wikipedia)
If I have to describe the process of past life regression keeping the scientific aspect in mind, I would say that it’s a fragment of imagination rooted in your sub-conscious which is directly or indirectly bearing an effect on you.
To explain “HOW”, I would like to share my first-hand experience with a client.
A client was referred to me by a doctor for anxiety induced breathing issues and veezing. After some relaxation sessions he felt much better but would still relapse once in a while. I decided to do a PLR session for him.
During his regression he saw the following - during his last life he was a farmer. As he was brought closer to his demise (in the previous birth), he recalls being attacked by a tiger wanting to prey on his cattle while ploughing his fields. He panicked and ran for his life and fell into a well filled with water, but unfortunately he hadn’t learned swimming, and he gasped for breath and came into this life.
So my understanding was, that his subconscious memory was repeating this “gasping” behavior in the form of veezing whenever he was highly anxious. And after the sessions, his veezing actually reduced.
Now whether it was really his past life or not, I cannot comment as there is no method currently available to ascertain that, which is why past life regression is often considered to be a branch of “Parapsychology” as it deals with reincarnations or different past lives. But, read on to find out a spine chilling incident that I have had.
The “REAL” Experience
A client of mine walked in one day for progressive relaxation therapy and after being happy with the results, requested me to do a PLR for him. He said that it was just out of curiosity (more details shall be given in a book that I’m writing as it’s quite lengthy), as we progressed he saw himself in the 1800s and started explaining his experience. His experience was so realistic that he refused to answer me until I called him using the name that he had in that birth (quite scary, I must say). He had indeed transformed into a different individual altogether. He continued to explain how he saw people dying of drought and as I progressed him further in that lifetime, he saw people dying of floods. I actually found it amusing, drought and floods?! It’s definitely his imagination, I thought, until the next day.
Weekends are the busiest, majority of my clients have holidays and book sessions with me as a result of which my phone was in silent mode. After finishing a couple of consultations, during my lunch break I was shocked to see almost 15 missed calls from him and a message. He had tried his best to get in touch with me but in vain. Succumbing to his excitement, he had sent me a SMS of a Google link that literally sent a strong chill down my spine.
Almost everything that he had told me the day earlier, was recorded in a rare document which neither of us had a chance to even know that it existed. I still get a shiver, when I recollect this incident.
The Conclusion
Since I have experienced some very imaginative and some shocking PLR sessions, the only logical explanation that I could arrive at, using principles of mythology and spirituality was. Every individual is not allowed to access his past life, until and unless his karmic cycle has been fulfilled to an extent where his destiny allows him to access such memories to further ascend the plane of spirituality in his mortal life. But, the critic in me, due to a lack of proof would say, that it’s a coincidence where some exposure to that information was recorded by his subconscious and unlocked during the session.
I have earlier mentioned, that it’s just a fragment of imagination deep rooted in your subconscious. This explanation, is for individuals who demand proof and scientific explanation. If you ask me what my heart believes, I would prefer the former, as I’ve had some more interesting sessions which has been equally exciting.
But then again, that’s my opinion based on my experience. After giving you explanations from both the perspectives, what would you like to believe? Well some food for thought.