Hi - please enjoy, although I've lost the figures in the course of the upload. As with the previous post, this is adapted from what I learned at ASPECTS in the 1980s: I don't what changes, if any, ASPECTS has made since then - see http://home.vicnet.net.au/~johnf/welcome.htm for more on that group.
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
(I took the photo in south western Victoria, near Portland.)
Tags: past lives, regression, workshop notes
First published: 11th June, 2007
Past Life Regression
Gnwmythr
August, 2005
Past Life Regressions
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.. 2
2. Some Underlying Principles – A Quick Review... 3
2.1 Karma. 3
2.2 Highest Spiritual Good. 3
2.3 Ethics. 4
2.4 Current karmic “good” credit. 4
2.5 Looking after yourself. 4
2.6 Psychic safety. 5
2.7 Clearing negative units. 5
2.8 Reinforcing/using positive units. 5
3. Problem solving.. 5
4. Past life regressions. 6
4.1 An overview.. 6
4.2 Regression – specific techniques. 7
4.3 What next?. 8
5. Figures. 9
Figure 1. 9
Figure 2. 10
6. Further Reading.. 11
7. Flow charts. 13
Clearing. 13
Problem solving. 18
Past life regression – automatic writing. 21
Workshop notes
1. Introduction
I have been guiding people through past life regressions since the mid-80s. This workshop, whilst being done as a standalone workshop, is one half of the technique I typically use for those regressions. The reason I have split the past life regression workshop into two halves is to adapt my technique from a situation where I am working one on one, to a situation where I am working in a workshop setting.
Please note that I will not be dealing with any issues of proof of reincarnation in any depth. The approach is based on resolving issues or problems, and - in that context - whether or not past lives exist is irrelevant: what matters is whether it works for you or not. And if it doesn’t work for you after a reasonable attempt, then I would suggest you consider moving on and finding the next technique that is of relevance to you.
If you would like some proof about past lives, I suggest you consider seeing a hypnotherapist.
2. Some Underlying Principles – A Quick Review
2.1 Karma
Karma is the idea that what you give out, both good and bad, comes back. The interactions we have with people can lead to an energy that connects us to the person and/or the interaction.
Ø example (1): if you help someone by, say, saving them from drowning, that constructive interaction could: - create a “good”/positive/constructive link along which energy can travel (and, perhaps, give you a “warm, inner glow”), or - create a thought form of the event which could influence someone else into saving you from drowning (possibly metaphorically) or perhaps a thought form of any tools used (eg, you may like boats without wanting to be a boatie);
Ø example (2): if you harm someone by, say, hitting with an axe or shooting them, that unfortunate/destructive/counter-productive interaction could: - create a “negative”/destructive/ link along which energy can flow (and, perhaps, possibly result in you having pain as the pain energy created in the victim flows back to you), or - create a thought form of the event which could influence someone else into committing that act against you or perhaps a thought form of any tools used leading to, perhaps, a fear of whatever was used, or that - results in an earthbound entity being stuck in your aura (based on my experience, there seems to be some mechanism for this to occur in lives beyond that in which the negative action was undertaken, but I have been unable to explain that);
the strength of these links, thought forms, etc (I was taught to use the generic term “units”) depends on the strength of interaction: - brush against somebody a bit roughly, and you may not form a link, or the “sorry” may adequately take care of the incident - cause great emotional, mental, spiritual or physical pain, and it is likely that there will be a stronger result.
See Figure 1 (Note: this is a scanned copy of an old diagram - I would probably draw this differently now).
As we live our lives, we do further “good” and “bad” deeds, and the energy we create through those deeds (whether physical, mental or on some other level) tends to have an influence on what we have created. (This suggests that it helps to respond constructively to bad stuff coming back to you). Largely, this “further influence” is automatic. However, it is possible to use an increased spiritual awareness to deliberately accelerate this process. Apart from potentially helping us by accelerating the removal of negative links and other negative units, I am of the opinion that this contribute towards reality as a whole being a better, more constructive/spiritual place.
2.2 Highest Spiritual Good
Something I differ from Buddhism in (and, to some extent, as ASPECTS used to teach this technique) is that I do not consider everything is due to karma. There are learning experiences, tests etc along the way - and I am of the opinion that there is some intelligent force (Goddess, Allah, JHVH, Great Spirit, God or whatever term you wish to use) having an influence on how karma and the universe work.
A term I was taught is Highest Spiritual Good, which is term acknowledging that you may have to go through turmoil and challenges and trouble - not only for karmic reasons, but also because you may need the strengthening experience, or you may have agreed to take something on to see whether others would help you (ie, as a test of a friend, perhaps), or this may be needed to motivate you into learning thoroughly.
Hence, no matter how good your application of the techniques we will be learning about in this workshop, they may not work for you in all situations.
There is a flip side to this as well: it may be for your Highest Spiritual Good to have some “troubles” removed from your life despite you not having the ability to do so by your own efforts.
2.3 Ethics
I have mentioned ethics as a separate issue to make sure you think about respect for others and their free will. In the context of this work, you cannot heal other people against their will, but you do have the right to clear what is affecting you (if that is for the Highest Spiritual Good), or at least your share of that. That may crop up if you want, for instance, to clear a link which one of your victims is using (probably entirely unconsciously) to cause or contribute to a headache and they want you to go through a bit more of what they did. (In that circumstance, “two wrongs do not make a right”.)
If someone helped you to create, say, a negative thought form, and they are not yet ready to dissolve their share of that thought form, despite it possibly affecting them, that is their choice, and they have the right to do so.
2.4 Current karmic “good” credit
To be able to start this work, a certain amount of “good” karma is required. Most people who are interested in coming to a workshop like this will have acquired a certain amount of that just in the course of living. If not (and I have yet to come across anyone who didn’t have some “good” karmic credit), the intention to fix a problem will in itself earn some “good” karmic credit
2.5 Looking after yourself
I’m going to step ahead for a moment, to past life regressions.
Unlike many other regression techniques, the technique I use focuses quite deliberately on past mistakes.
To illustrate that, where some regression techniques may attribute, say, the trusty old headache example to having been hit by someone, this technique requires you to take stronger ownership of the situation and go back to a life where you were the hitter rather than the “hittee”.
This has a lot of potential to help you learn, but it also comes with a danger, in that it can adversely affect your self confidence or self esteem. It is therefore absolutely vital that you monitor yourself and how are feeling, and take constructive action if you have a problem.
There are two aspects to this: short term (ie, during the session itself), and long term.
In the short term (ie, the session you are working in and immediately after, your mood will be obvious enough. It is important to:
Ø remember the saying “show me someone who hasn’t made a mistake, and I’ll show you someone who hasn’t done anything”;
Ø stay focused on the fact you are doing something which is of benefit to yourself and others;
Ø NEVER compare yourself to others (you don’t know what they’ve perhaps already done to clear up messes);
Ø avoid any victim or “Poor Little Me” thinking (when I was learning, owing to the intensity with which we studied, this was a significant issue).
In terms of monitoring oneself on a longer term basis, some questions I used to suggest for use to check how they were on a long term basis (eg, could perhaps ask these questions of oneself every new moon, or every festival of either a lunar/solar quarter, perhaps) are:
Ø Have there been any changes to my temperament? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my stress levels, or signs of being stressed? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my involvement with family, friends, hobbies, physical recreation or cultural activities? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my psychic health?
Ø Have there been any changes in my goals or direction in life? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
What ways do you have to stay reasonably positively focused while doing this sort of work? I personally use a combination of physical exercise, hobbies such as movies books and sailing;, colour meditation, breathing exercises and working with “positive” units.
2.6 Psychic safety
You should always regularly use responsible psychic practise such as shielding (protection), grounding and releasing, and sessions where you wish to clear negative units are no different to any other psychic work session.
2.7 Clearing negative units
In essence, by accepting responsibility for having created a negative unit, we take a big step towards being able to clear or dissolve that unit. Some units cannot be cleared until you gain an understanding of what your mistake was, which is where the past life regression techniques come in. For the purposes of this workshop, we’re going to deal with units that you don’t need to do any learning to be able to clear.
The actual technique is:
Ø establish your shields/protection, and establish (and check) a clear link with whatever source of psychic information you intend to use (whether that is Higher Self, ancestors or guides)
Ø use your psychism to sense negative units around you (ask your psychic source to help you to sense what you are allowed to “for your Highest Spiritual Good”)
Ø generate positive energy (typically by visualising light, but you could also use heat, [astral] images of tools, etc) to clear (dissolve) the unit(s): - send light out along links to dissolve them (whether this has a noticeable, beneficial effect at the other end depends on how forgiving other person is prepared to be) - send healing to objects - have earthbound people rescued (as a minimum, you can send healing - with permission from recipient’s Higher Self)
See Figure 2 (note: this is a scanned copy of an old diagram - I would probably draw this differently now).
Objectivity is important while you do this. Don’t get into self punishment/guilt trips - working with others helps to maintain objectivity, and can be useful to gain a check on your psychic impressions.
2.8 Reinforcing/using positive units
It is also important to remember the positive units we have been responsible for creating. (Interestingly, over a series of lives, people may end up with a complex combination of positive and negative links.) By sending positive energy to or through these units:
Ø the units will be strengthened
Ø people on the receiving end may get a warm inner glow, and are likely to reciprocate (it can be useful to send out this positive energy until you get that warm inner glow yourself)
3. Problem solving
With previous exercises for clearing negative units such as links, you will probably have noticed that the numbers obtained by the person doing the clearing and their “spotter” may have been different. That’s fairly common, and can be due to wide range of causes:
Ø the spotter may be more objective than the clearer (think of it a bit like a personal trainer: “come on! crunch through juuust three more links … two 2 more links - almost there now! … only 1 more to go …)
Ø each being tuned into slightly different energies (for instance, one person may sense some types of energy more easily than others - a bit like long and short [psychic] sightedness or having problems with psychic colour blindness)
Ø some interference occurring through a karmic return to either or both the clearer and the spotter.
The latter case is quite good when it occurs, actually, as it gives a chance to use your clearing skills. The idea is:
Ø interference from a negative unit, perhaps a negative link to the third eye or some other significant point (or insignificant point, if it can provide enough of a distraction) or a negative “object” (perhaps a shield or barrier stoping you connecting to your guides, or something like a helmet around your head masking your third eye chakra) is causing an inaccuracy in your psychic impressions
Ø remove (ie, clear) the negative unit (remember that you can call on positive units for help here if you are struggling) and then
Ø the psychic impressions should improve.
Note that I wrote “should improve” - I didn’t write “will become perfectly accurate”, as there may be karmic limits to what you can do, and you may simply need more practise to develop your abilities.
However, if there is no or not much change, you should work through possible reasons (see the problem solving flow chart). Also, keep the following little diagram in mind:
How do we know the problem is fixed?
How do we fix the problem?
What is the problem?
This has a further connection to undertaking past life regressions, as you can use this technique to see if any negative units are blocking you if having trouble obtaining impressions of a past life - more on that in the next section.
4. Past life regressions
4.1 An overview
The aim of doing past life regressions this way is to accelerate the clearing of negative karma. Hence, the essential aspect of this technique is learning – what did I do wrong, and - more importantly – why did I do it, so I can learn not to make the mistake again. Exploring this can be, in some cases, like removing the skins of an onion: major issues/problems will typically have several layers to them, and it is quite possible that you have to go back to major lives several times to resolve issues. (This can also happen if you earn some more good karma and can clear more karmic energy.)
Having done the learning, the next step is to clear the energy, using the techniques learned in the previous workshop.
In terms of accomplishing the actual regression, there is a wide range of techniques available – and, given some inventiveness, you can probably come up with more. I generally classify these techniques into four groups:
Ø hypnosis
Ø the Akashic Record
Ø memory
Ø psychic impressions
I don’t use hypnosis – apart from not having the qualifications to do so legally in Victoria, I prefer other techniques that allow the person being regressed to stay somewhat detached and objective, as that helps the learning and clearing which is integral to this method of working.
The Akashic Record is generally described as a psychic record of all that happens. It is usually referred to in the context of the review of past lives that one undertakes after death. It is also generally considered practically impossible to contact while still living, although some people claim to be able to do so. I make no such claim, and again find other techniques far more useful for the learning aspect of this.
As for memory, there is no doubt that it can play a part – both in terms of finding out about past lives (notably in Professor Stevenson’s research as described in books such as “20 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation”), and in terms of people recognising people they have known previously. This ranges from an instant or quick like or dislike through to people recognising people they have known quite well, such as happens with some Tibetan lamas. (The process for officially recognising an incarnation in Tibet also involved tests such as correctly identifying previous possessions from a mixture of objects.) More commonly, some people consider they can recognise a pet who may have returned.
Psychic impressions are, in my experience, quite a good way of working, particularly as it allows the possibility of working with higher influences (whether guides or one’s Higher Self) to accomplish the regression with an informed commentary. (It should also be noted that clearing negative karmic links can be used to assist in overcoming problems with gaining psychic impressions – see Section 3 and the Problem Solving Flow Chart.)
I consider it important to test the impressions one is receiving:
Ø are you someone famous in the regression? If so, it is probably just straight imagination
Ø I was taught to send light to clairvoyant impressions to test whether or not they were genuine, but that can be a bit difficult to do without practise.
4.2 Regression – specific techniques
Generally, I use a technique along the lines of the following when guiding someone through a past life regression:
Ø establish protection
Ø get the person to relax, including discussing any concerns
Ø both of us tune in to whatever source of psychic impressions we are using (typically, each tune into our guides)
Ø I may put some energy (ie, healing) into the person’s third eye chakra
Ø I guide the person’s focus with a series of questions about sensations they are receiving or have
Ø if the regression is being undertaken with a view to solving a particular problem, it may be useful to find the units first
Ø the life and the lessons to be learned are explored (what interactions with people are happening?)
Ø any negative links are cleared, and any positive links strengthened.
The questions start with a presumption that the person has a good ability to receive psychic impressions (eg, “Where are you?” or “Do you have any impressions?”), and then progresses to questions aimed to help those less readily able to be aware of any psychic guidance (eg, “what are you feeling?”, which may lead to an awareness of, for instance, links or sensations from that time. This can be a little tricky if, for instance, the impression is of a dark night as a key part of the regression, as happened in one case.)
Another technique I have found useful is to ask one’s guides/Higher Self for impressions of what could be the life one is meant to be review (or the life responsible for a particular unit causing or contributing to a problem), and then ask which one is the life - which I read with interest is a technique described in Richard Webster’s book “Past-Life Memories”.
Automatic writing is a technique I was taught, and most often used (which is also mentioned in Richard Webster’s book). Other techniques are:
Ø visualising going up a column of light, along a beam of another colour, and then down another column (most people I have worked with find that easier than a fairly widely used technique of visualising going into a hall or room with lots of doors with a life behind each door, but that gets mentioned quite a bit, so I’ll also mention it)
Ø self hypnosis (see Dick Sutphen’s books or Richard Webster’s book – the latter uses the hall or room with doors and a variation of the columns and beams of light: going up and then down in a hot air balloon)
Ø for those familiar with Carlos Castaneda’s work, move the assemblage point to a position to facilitate a regression
Ø it is quite possible to explore lives using dreams (go to sleep with the intention of exploring a past life; Richard Webster’s book – which I am very impressed with, and came from the local shop “The Mythical Dragon” - has information about using lucid dreaming and conscious day dreaming)
Ø scrying
Ø Rev. Wendy has a technique for exploring both past and future lives using Tarot
I m going to go back to Richard Webster’s book now, which mentions other techniques which may be of use in some situations:
Ø far memory: thinking back progressively further and further
Ø “tick-tock” regression: using a clock instead of soothing music for relaxation or starting at the clock to use it as a portal into another time
Ø rainbow number meditation: travelling through each colour of the rainbow, and while in each colour, thinking of a number at random to trigger getting a sample from another life
Ø meditation techniques which explore past lives through current interests or problems
4.3 What next?
As stated in Section 4.1, the aim of doing past life regressions this way is to accelerate the clearing of negative karma. However, past life regressions can be used for other purposes:
Ø gaining an understanding of previous relationships with people (for instance, I have people in my life now, some very close, who were victims [some died] of actions of mine in past lives: knowing that, I am more aware of when disharmony is more due to past issues than anything necessarily wrong with the current relationship)
Ø gaining an insight into people (for instance, I know of someone who was shot down in World War Two who now wishes to “try his luck” with pokies and the like – partly to see if his “luck” is better now than when he died)
Ø helping to redevelop skills from previous lives
Ø there is a definite potential value in the more conventional approach to past life therapy
Ø possibly to gain more confidence around issues relating to death.
There is another possible use of past life regression: as a tool to satisfy our curiosity – or, to put it another way: something to help us journey through the spiritual experience that is us.
5. Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
6. Further Reading
If you would like to explore other aspects of this topic, the following books may be of some value to you, and I’ve provided a few comments where I can. Please note that I don’t necessarily agree with everything that is in these books :)
“Past-Life Memories: Twelve Proven Methods” by Richard Webster (Llewellyn, 2001, ISBN 0-7387-0077-0)
A new book by a New Zealand hypnotherapist which looks quite promising.
“20 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation” by Professor Ian Stevenson (University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va, USA, 1987)
I don’t have the full reference for this book, for which I apologise, but I did have good access to it when I was learning at ASPECTS in the 1980s. One case I remember from that time is of a young child who was able to go to a nearby village (I think this was in India), recognise her former home and relatives, and identify changes made after her former death. In Richard Webster’s book Past Life Memories”, Dr Stevenson is credited with documenting 2,500 cases, mainly young children as he believed their memories were better, and having also written “children Who Remember Previous Lives” (1987) and “Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect” (1987) – which two books I do not know.
Dick Sutphen’s books “Past Lives, Future Loves” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1978, ISBN 0-671-83485-1), “You Were Born Again to be Together” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1976, ISBN 0 671 43383 0) and “Earthly Purpose” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1990, ISBN 0-671-69219-4).
In these books the author explores relationships (including romantic, group and “soul parallels”) as they continue over several lifetimes (“earthly Purpose” covers events at Teotihuacan). The material also touches on karma, psychic attack and shielding/protection, “light people”, soul mates, group hypnosis and self-hypnosis. The relaxation methods and descriptions on self hypnosis in these (and “Unseen Influences”) are good.
“The Reincarnations of Robert Macready” (pub. Zebra Books, 1980, ISBN 0-89083-703-1) (I don’t have any referrals or recommendations).
Hypnotherapy is used to explore several past lives in the process of resolving a problem.
“Life Between Life” by Dr Joel L Whitton, PhD and Joe Fisher (pub. Grafton Books, 1990 [first pub. 1986], ISBN 0-586-07091-4)
Outlines experiences between lives, with some good examples of how choices during an incarnation can affect the flow of karma.
“The Case for Reincarnation” by Joe Fischer (pub. Grafton Books, ISBN 0 586 06540 7).
Provides a good general overview on the subject of reincarnation.
“Past Lives Therapy” by Morris Netherton, PhD and Nancy Shiffrin (pub. Compendium, 1978, ISBN 0 908136 56 0)
Fairly classical description of “conventional” past life therapy.
“Cutting the Ties That Bind” by Phyllis Krystal (pub. Aura Books, 1982, ISBN 0 85500 162 3).
This author has a complete technique for dissolving “psychological attachments” using rituals and visualisation techniques. What is presented is, in effect, a complete programme for personal growth work covering such things as parents (including connecting to spiritual parents), anima and animus, dreams and death.
It stands on it’s own as valuable, but can be of particular value to anyone who is having trouble clearing links.
“On Death and Dying” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (pub. Macmillan, 1977 [first pub. 1970], ISBN 0 02 089130 X) and “Death: the Final Stage of Growth” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (pub. Spectrum, 1975, ISBN 0-13-196998-6)
These books describe a counselling approach to those who are dying, and those about them – including family members and carers. These books also are – in my opinion - potentially of benefit to those doing rescue work and maybe people working through past life issues, particularly issues arising around the death in a previous life.
“The Cathars and Reincarnation” by Arthur Guirdham (pub. Turnstone press, 1982 [first pub. 1970], ISBN 0-85500-165-8)
Record of a woman who through dreams and impressions in waking consciousness, recalled a past life as a Cathar heretic in 13th century France in great detail. In this process, the author realises he too was part of the “Cathar tragedy”.
”Many Mansions: the Edgar Cayce Story on Reincarnation” by Gina Cerminara (Signet, 1978, first copyrighted 1950, coipyright renewed 1978, ISBN ?)
Explores karma and past lives through the work of Edgar Cayce.
“You Have Been Here Before” by Dr Edith Fiore (Ballantine Books, 1981 [first pub 1979], ISBN 0-345-27729-5)
Contains some interesting past life therapy cases.
“The Once and Future Life” by Dr. H. N. Banerjee (Dell, 1979, 0-440-16554-7)
7. Flow charts
Clearing
Problem solving
Past life regression – automatic writing
Past Life Regression
Gnwmythr
August, 2005
Past Life Regressions
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.. 2
2. Some Underlying Principles – A Quick Review... 3
2.1 Karma. 3
2.2 Highest Spiritual Good. 3
2.3 Ethics. 4
2.4 Current karmic “good” credit. 4
2.5 Looking after yourself. 4
2.6 Psychic safety. 5
2.7 Clearing negative units. 5
2.8 Reinforcing/using positive units. 5
3. Problem solving.. 5
4. Past life regressions. 6
4.1 An overview.. 6
4.2 Regression – specific techniques. 7
4.3 What next?. 8
5. Figures. 9
Figure 1. 9
Figure 2. 10
6. Further Reading.. 11
7. Flow charts. 13
Clearing. 13
Problem solving. 18
Past life regression – automatic writing. 21
Workshop notes
1. Introduction
I have been guiding people through past life regressions since the mid-80s. This workshop, whilst being done as a standalone workshop, is one half of the technique I typically use for those regressions. The reason I have split the past life regression workshop into two halves is to adapt my technique from a situation where I am working one on one, to a situation where I am working in a workshop setting.
Please note that I will not be dealing with any issues of proof of reincarnation in any depth. The approach is based on resolving issues or problems, and - in that context - whether or not past lives exist is irrelevant: what matters is whether it works for you or not. And if it doesn’t work for you after a reasonable attempt, then I would suggest you consider moving on and finding the next technique that is of relevance to you.
If you would like some proof about past lives, I suggest you consider seeing a hypnotherapist.
2. Some Underlying Principles – A Quick Review
2.1 Karma
Karma is the idea that what you give out, both good and bad, comes back. The interactions we have with people can lead to an energy that connects us to the person and/or the interaction.
Ø example (1): if you help someone by, say, saving them from drowning, that constructive interaction could: - create a “good”/positive/constructive link along which energy can travel (and, perhaps, give you a “warm, inner glow”), or - create a thought form of the event which could influence someone else into saving you from drowning (possibly metaphorically) or perhaps a thought form of any tools used (eg, you may like boats without wanting to be a boatie);
Ø example (2): if you harm someone by, say, hitting with an axe or shooting them, that unfortunate/destructive/counter-productive interaction could: - create a “negative”/destructive/ link along which energy can flow (and, perhaps, possibly result in you having pain as the pain energy created in the victim flows back to you), or - create a thought form of the event which could influence someone else into committing that act against you or perhaps a thought form of any tools used leading to, perhaps, a fear of whatever was used, or that - results in an earthbound entity being stuck in your aura (based on my experience, there seems to be some mechanism for this to occur in lives beyond that in which the negative action was undertaken, but I have been unable to explain that);
the strength of these links, thought forms, etc (I was taught to use the generic term “units”) depends on the strength of interaction: - brush against somebody a bit roughly, and you may not form a link, or the “sorry” may adequately take care of the incident - cause great emotional, mental, spiritual or physical pain, and it is likely that there will be a stronger result.
See Figure 1 (Note: this is a scanned copy of an old diagram - I would probably draw this differently now).
As we live our lives, we do further “good” and “bad” deeds, and the energy we create through those deeds (whether physical, mental or on some other level) tends to have an influence on what we have created. (This suggests that it helps to respond constructively to bad stuff coming back to you). Largely, this “further influence” is automatic. However, it is possible to use an increased spiritual awareness to deliberately accelerate this process. Apart from potentially helping us by accelerating the removal of negative links and other negative units, I am of the opinion that this contribute towards reality as a whole being a better, more constructive/spiritual place.
2.2 Highest Spiritual Good
Something I differ from Buddhism in (and, to some extent, as ASPECTS used to teach this technique) is that I do not consider everything is due to karma. There are learning experiences, tests etc along the way - and I am of the opinion that there is some intelligent force (Goddess, Allah, JHVH, Great Spirit, God or whatever term you wish to use) having an influence on how karma and the universe work.
A term I was taught is Highest Spiritual Good, which is term acknowledging that you may have to go through turmoil and challenges and trouble - not only for karmic reasons, but also because you may need the strengthening experience, or you may have agreed to take something on to see whether others would help you (ie, as a test of a friend, perhaps), or this may be needed to motivate you into learning thoroughly.
Hence, no matter how good your application of the techniques we will be learning about in this workshop, they may not work for you in all situations.
There is a flip side to this as well: it may be for your Highest Spiritual Good to have some “troubles” removed from your life despite you not having the ability to do so by your own efforts.
2.3 Ethics
I have mentioned ethics as a separate issue to make sure you think about respect for others and their free will. In the context of this work, you cannot heal other people against their will, but you do have the right to clear what is affecting you (if that is for the Highest Spiritual Good), or at least your share of that. That may crop up if you want, for instance, to clear a link which one of your victims is using (probably entirely unconsciously) to cause or contribute to a headache and they want you to go through a bit more of what they did. (In that circumstance, “two wrongs do not make a right”.)
If someone helped you to create, say, a negative thought form, and they are not yet ready to dissolve their share of that thought form, despite it possibly affecting them, that is their choice, and they have the right to do so.
2.4 Current karmic “good” credit
To be able to start this work, a certain amount of “good” karma is required. Most people who are interested in coming to a workshop like this will have acquired a certain amount of that just in the course of living. If not (and I have yet to come across anyone who didn’t have some “good” karmic credit), the intention to fix a problem will in itself earn some “good” karmic credit
2.5 Looking after yourself
I’m going to step ahead for a moment, to past life regressions.
Unlike many other regression techniques, the technique I use focuses quite deliberately on past mistakes.
To illustrate that, where some regression techniques may attribute, say, the trusty old headache example to having been hit by someone, this technique requires you to take stronger ownership of the situation and go back to a life where you were the hitter rather than the “hittee”.
This has a lot of potential to help you learn, but it also comes with a danger, in that it can adversely affect your self confidence or self esteem. It is therefore absolutely vital that you monitor yourself and how are feeling, and take constructive action if you have a problem.
There are two aspects to this: short term (ie, during the session itself), and long term.
In the short term (ie, the session you are working in and immediately after, your mood will be obvious enough. It is important to:
Ø remember the saying “show me someone who hasn’t made a mistake, and I’ll show you someone who hasn’t done anything”;
Ø stay focused on the fact you are doing something which is of benefit to yourself and others;
Ø NEVER compare yourself to others (you don’t know what they’ve perhaps already done to clear up messes);
Ø avoid any victim or “Poor Little Me” thinking (when I was learning, owing to the intensity with which we studied, this was a significant issue).
In terms of monitoring oneself on a longer term basis, some questions I used to suggest for use to check how they were on a long term basis (eg, could perhaps ask these questions of oneself every new moon, or every festival of either a lunar/solar quarter, perhaps) are:
Ø Have there been any changes to my temperament? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my stress levels, or signs of being stressed? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my involvement with family, friends, hobbies, physical recreation or cultural activities? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
Ø Have there been any changes in my psychic health?
Ø Have there been any changes in my goals or direction in life? - If so, is the change better or worse? If it is for the worse, what action is required, and how do I implement that or work towards implementing that?
What ways do you have to stay reasonably positively focused while doing this sort of work? I personally use a combination of physical exercise, hobbies such as movies books and sailing;, colour meditation, breathing exercises and working with “positive” units.
2.6 Psychic safety
You should always regularly use responsible psychic practise such as shielding (protection), grounding and releasing, and sessions where you wish to clear negative units are no different to any other psychic work session.
2.7 Clearing negative units
In essence, by accepting responsibility for having created a negative unit, we take a big step towards being able to clear or dissolve that unit. Some units cannot be cleared until you gain an understanding of what your mistake was, which is where the past life regression techniques come in. For the purposes of this workshop, we’re going to deal with units that you don’t need to do any learning to be able to clear.
The actual technique is:
Ø establish your shields/protection, and establish (and check) a clear link with whatever source of psychic information you intend to use (whether that is Higher Self, ancestors or guides)
Ø use your psychism to sense negative units around you (ask your psychic source to help you to sense what you are allowed to “for your Highest Spiritual Good”)
Ø generate positive energy (typically by visualising light, but you could also use heat, [astral] images of tools, etc) to clear (dissolve) the unit(s): - send light out along links to dissolve them (whether this has a noticeable, beneficial effect at the other end depends on how forgiving other person is prepared to be) - send healing to objects - have earthbound people rescued (as a minimum, you can send healing - with permission from recipient’s Higher Self)
See Figure 2 (note: this is a scanned copy of an old diagram - I would probably draw this differently now).
Objectivity is important while you do this. Don’t get into self punishment/guilt trips - working with others helps to maintain objectivity, and can be useful to gain a check on your psychic impressions.
2.8 Reinforcing/using positive units
It is also important to remember the positive units we have been responsible for creating. (Interestingly, over a series of lives, people may end up with a complex combination of positive and negative links.) By sending positive energy to or through these units:
Ø the units will be strengthened
Ø people on the receiving end may get a warm inner glow, and are likely to reciprocate (it can be useful to send out this positive energy until you get that warm inner glow yourself)
3. Problem solving
With previous exercises for clearing negative units such as links, you will probably have noticed that the numbers obtained by the person doing the clearing and their “spotter” may have been different. That’s fairly common, and can be due to wide range of causes:
Ø the spotter may be more objective than the clearer (think of it a bit like a personal trainer: “come on! crunch through juuust three more links … two 2 more links - almost there now! … only 1 more to go …)
Ø each being tuned into slightly different energies (for instance, one person may sense some types of energy more easily than others - a bit like long and short [psychic] sightedness or having problems with psychic colour blindness)
Ø some interference occurring through a karmic return to either or both the clearer and the spotter.
The latter case is quite good when it occurs, actually, as it gives a chance to use your clearing skills. The idea is:
Ø interference from a negative unit, perhaps a negative link to the third eye or some other significant point (or insignificant point, if it can provide enough of a distraction) or a negative “object” (perhaps a shield or barrier stoping you connecting to your guides, or something like a helmet around your head masking your third eye chakra) is causing an inaccuracy in your psychic impressions
Ø remove (ie, clear) the negative unit (remember that you can call on positive units for help here if you are struggling) and then
Ø the psychic impressions should improve.
Note that I wrote “should improve” - I didn’t write “will become perfectly accurate”, as there may be karmic limits to what you can do, and you may simply need more practise to develop your abilities.
However, if there is no or not much change, you should work through possible reasons (see the problem solving flow chart). Also, keep the following little diagram in mind:
How do we know the problem is fixed?
How do we fix the problem?
What is the problem?
This has a further connection to undertaking past life regressions, as you can use this technique to see if any negative units are blocking you if having trouble obtaining impressions of a past life - more on that in the next section.
4. Past life regressions
4.1 An overview
The aim of doing past life regressions this way is to accelerate the clearing of negative karma. Hence, the essential aspect of this technique is learning – what did I do wrong, and - more importantly – why did I do it, so I can learn not to make the mistake again. Exploring this can be, in some cases, like removing the skins of an onion: major issues/problems will typically have several layers to them, and it is quite possible that you have to go back to major lives several times to resolve issues. (This can also happen if you earn some more good karma and can clear more karmic energy.)
Having done the learning, the next step is to clear the energy, using the techniques learned in the previous workshop.
In terms of accomplishing the actual regression, there is a wide range of techniques available – and, given some inventiveness, you can probably come up with more. I generally classify these techniques into four groups:
Ø hypnosis
Ø the Akashic Record
Ø memory
Ø psychic impressions
I don’t use hypnosis – apart from not having the qualifications to do so legally in Victoria, I prefer other techniques that allow the person being regressed to stay somewhat detached and objective, as that helps the learning and clearing which is integral to this method of working.
The Akashic Record is generally described as a psychic record of all that happens. It is usually referred to in the context of the review of past lives that one undertakes after death. It is also generally considered practically impossible to contact while still living, although some people claim to be able to do so. I make no such claim, and again find other techniques far more useful for the learning aspect of this.
As for memory, there is no doubt that it can play a part – both in terms of finding out about past lives (notably in Professor Stevenson’s research as described in books such as “20 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation”), and in terms of people recognising people they have known previously. This ranges from an instant or quick like or dislike through to people recognising people they have known quite well, such as happens with some Tibetan lamas. (The process for officially recognising an incarnation in Tibet also involved tests such as correctly identifying previous possessions from a mixture of objects.) More commonly, some people consider they can recognise a pet who may have returned.
Psychic impressions are, in my experience, quite a good way of working, particularly as it allows the possibility of working with higher influences (whether guides or one’s Higher Self) to accomplish the regression with an informed commentary. (It should also be noted that clearing negative karmic links can be used to assist in overcoming problems with gaining psychic impressions – see Section 3 and the Problem Solving Flow Chart.)
I consider it important to test the impressions one is receiving:
Ø are you someone famous in the regression? If so, it is probably just straight imagination
Ø I was taught to send light to clairvoyant impressions to test whether or not they were genuine, but that can be a bit difficult to do without practise.
4.2 Regression – specific techniques
Generally, I use a technique along the lines of the following when guiding someone through a past life regression:
Ø establish protection
Ø get the person to relax, including discussing any concerns
Ø both of us tune in to whatever source of psychic impressions we are using (typically, each tune into our guides)
Ø I may put some energy (ie, healing) into the person’s third eye chakra
Ø I guide the person’s focus with a series of questions about sensations they are receiving or have
Ø if the regression is being undertaken with a view to solving a particular problem, it may be useful to find the units first
Ø the life and the lessons to be learned are explored (what interactions with people are happening?)
Ø any negative links are cleared, and any positive links strengthened.
The questions start with a presumption that the person has a good ability to receive psychic impressions (eg, “Where are you?” or “Do you have any impressions?”), and then progresses to questions aimed to help those less readily able to be aware of any psychic guidance (eg, “what are you feeling?”, which may lead to an awareness of, for instance, links or sensations from that time. This can be a little tricky if, for instance, the impression is of a dark night as a key part of the regression, as happened in one case.)
Another technique I have found useful is to ask one’s guides/Higher Self for impressions of what could be the life one is meant to be review (or the life responsible for a particular unit causing or contributing to a problem), and then ask which one is the life - which I read with interest is a technique described in Richard Webster’s book “Past-Life Memories”.
Automatic writing is a technique I was taught, and most often used (which is also mentioned in Richard Webster’s book). Other techniques are:
Ø visualising going up a column of light, along a beam of another colour, and then down another column (most people I have worked with find that easier than a fairly widely used technique of visualising going into a hall or room with lots of doors with a life behind each door, but that gets mentioned quite a bit, so I’ll also mention it)
Ø self hypnosis (see Dick Sutphen’s books or Richard Webster’s book – the latter uses the hall or room with doors and a variation of the columns and beams of light: going up and then down in a hot air balloon)
Ø for those familiar with Carlos Castaneda’s work, move the assemblage point to a position to facilitate a regression
Ø it is quite possible to explore lives using dreams (go to sleep with the intention of exploring a past life; Richard Webster’s book – which I am very impressed with, and came from the local shop “The Mythical Dragon” - has information about using lucid dreaming and conscious day dreaming)
Ø scrying
Ø Rev. Wendy has a technique for exploring both past and future lives using Tarot
I m going to go back to Richard Webster’s book now, which mentions other techniques which may be of use in some situations:
Ø far memory: thinking back progressively further and further
Ø “tick-tock” regression: using a clock instead of soothing music for relaxation or starting at the clock to use it as a portal into another time
Ø rainbow number meditation: travelling through each colour of the rainbow, and while in each colour, thinking of a number at random to trigger getting a sample from another life
Ø meditation techniques which explore past lives through current interests or problems
4.3 What next?
As stated in Section 4.1, the aim of doing past life regressions this way is to accelerate the clearing of negative karma. However, past life regressions can be used for other purposes:
Ø gaining an understanding of previous relationships with people (for instance, I have people in my life now, some very close, who were victims [some died] of actions of mine in past lives: knowing that, I am more aware of when disharmony is more due to past issues than anything necessarily wrong with the current relationship)
Ø gaining an insight into people (for instance, I know of someone who was shot down in World War Two who now wishes to “try his luck” with pokies and the like – partly to see if his “luck” is better now than when he died)
Ø helping to redevelop skills from previous lives
Ø there is a definite potential value in the more conventional approach to past life therapy
Ø possibly to gain more confidence around issues relating to death.
There is another possible use of past life regression: as a tool to satisfy our curiosity – or, to put it another way: something to help us journey through the spiritual experience that is us.
5. Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
6. Further Reading
If you would like to explore other aspects of this topic, the following books may be of some value to you, and I’ve provided a few comments where I can. Please note that I don’t necessarily agree with everything that is in these books :)
“Past-Life Memories: Twelve Proven Methods” by Richard Webster (Llewellyn, 2001, ISBN 0-7387-0077-0)
A new book by a New Zealand hypnotherapist which looks quite promising.
“20 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation” by Professor Ian Stevenson (University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va, USA, 1987)
I don’t have the full reference for this book, for which I apologise, but I did have good access to it when I was learning at ASPECTS in the 1980s. One case I remember from that time is of a young child who was able to go to a nearby village (I think this was in India), recognise her former home and relatives, and identify changes made after her former death. In Richard Webster’s book Past Life Memories”, Dr Stevenson is credited with documenting 2,500 cases, mainly young children as he believed their memories were better, and having also written “children Who Remember Previous Lives” (1987) and “Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect” (1987) – which two books I do not know.
Dick Sutphen’s books “Past Lives, Future Loves” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1978, ISBN 0-671-83485-1), “You Were Born Again to be Together” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1976, ISBN 0 671 43383 0) and “Earthly Purpose” (pub. Pocket Books, New York, 1990, ISBN 0-671-69219-4).
In these books the author explores relationships (including romantic, group and “soul parallels”) as they continue over several lifetimes (“earthly Purpose” covers events at Teotihuacan). The material also touches on karma, psychic attack and shielding/protection, “light people”, soul mates, group hypnosis and self-hypnosis. The relaxation methods and descriptions on self hypnosis in these (and “Unseen Influences”) are good.
“The Reincarnations of Robert Macready” (pub. Zebra Books, 1980, ISBN 0-89083-703-1) (I don’t have any referrals or recommendations).
Hypnotherapy is used to explore several past lives in the process of resolving a problem.
“Life Between Life” by Dr Joel L Whitton, PhD and Joe Fisher (pub. Grafton Books, 1990 [first pub. 1986], ISBN 0-586-07091-4)
Outlines experiences between lives, with some good examples of how choices during an incarnation can affect the flow of karma.
“The Case for Reincarnation” by Joe Fischer (pub. Grafton Books, ISBN 0 586 06540 7).
Provides a good general overview on the subject of reincarnation.
“Past Lives Therapy” by Morris Netherton, PhD and Nancy Shiffrin (pub. Compendium, 1978, ISBN 0 908136 56 0)
Fairly classical description of “conventional” past life therapy.
“Cutting the Ties That Bind” by Phyllis Krystal (pub. Aura Books, 1982, ISBN 0 85500 162 3).
This author has a complete technique for dissolving “psychological attachments” using rituals and visualisation techniques. What is presented is, in effect, a complete programme for personal growth work covering such things as parents (including connecting to spiritual parents), anima and animus, dreams and death.
It stands on it’s own as valuable, but can be of particular value to anyone who is having trouble clearing links.
“On Death and Dying” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (pub. Macmillan, 1977 [first pub. 1970], ISBN 0 02 089130 X) and “Death: the Final Stage of Growth” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (pub. Spectrum, 1975, ISBN 0-13-196998-6)
These books describe a counselling approach to those who are dying, and those about them – including family members and carers. These books also are – in my opinion - potentially of benefit to those doing rescue work and maybe people working through past life issues, particularly issues arising around the death in a previous life.
“The Cathars and Reincarnation” by Arthur Guirdham (pub. Turnstone press, 1982 [first pub. 1970], ISBN 0-85500-165-8)
Record of a woman who through dreams and impressions in waking consciousness, recalled a past life as a Cathar heretic in 13th century France in great detail. In this process, the author realises he too was part of the “Cathar tragedy”.
”Many Mansions: the Edgar Cayce Story on Reincarnation” by Gina Cerminara (Signet, 1978, first copyrighted 1950, coipyright renewed 1978, ISBN ?)
Explores karma and past lives through the work of Edgar Cayce.
“You Have Been Here Before” by Dr Edith Fiore (Ballantine Books, 1981 [first pub 1979], ISBN 0-345-27729-5)
Contains some interesting past life therapy cases.
“The Once and Future Life” by Dr. H. N. Banerjee (Dell, 1979, 0-440-16554-7)
7. Flow charts
Clearing
Problem solving
Past life regression – automatic writing
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