Starting to remember...

Although I'm sure re-incarnation is mentioned in other pods, I thought I'd start a pod specifically on the issues around past lives and reincarnation. If there is already one, sorry, I couldn't find it!

Reincarnation is of particular fascination to me now that I've finally accepted it, despite years of denial (I'm a scientist) and attempts to find alternative explanationsto all the odd things surfacing in my life!

Things that I, and hopefully others, might want to discuss are:

• Why we do we forget? Why do we remember?
• Should we actively try to remember, or should we just let it happen?
• What are some of your experiences? 
• What interesting stories have you heard?
• How has remembering helped you in this life? 
• Who have you met before in a past life? How has it influenced your relationship in this life? 

Re: Starting to remember...

Hello Catfish… :)

Very nice to meet you, and thanks for creating the pod! I thought I might hang out for a while.

Since you're a scientist I was wondering if you've read the new book, Life Before Life, yet and if so what you thought of it.  I found it a bit  drier than most.  I think that's to be expected.  However, it was far more valuable.

As per why we forget, the best book I've read on that is I Have Lived Before: The True Story of the Reincarnation of Shanti Devi .  It wasn't scientific but it did a very good job portraying the value of forgetfulness.

Thanks again.  And Cheers!  

Re: Starting to remember...

No I haven't read Life Before Life yet, but I will check it out.

I resisted reading about reincarnation for a while because I wanted to get a feel for what my own experiences and gut-feelings were first.

When I went looking for books on reincarnation, there was so much around I didn't know where to start, so I waited for the right book to find me instead. 

I found Arthur Guirdham's The Cathars & Reincarnation in my favourite second hand book shop and was blown away by it on a number of levels. Perfect book for me, perfect timing. Gotta love synchronicity!

Do you know it? He was a psychiatrist who investigated the detailed memory of one of his patients.

Looking forward to talking more!

Catx

Re: Starting to remember...

In case anyone's interested, the link for the semi-defunct “Journey Through Time” pod is http://pods.zaadz.com/journeythroughtime. (There hasn't been much activity since the pod facilitator left Zaadz.) There's some interesting stuff on there – and I also like the idea of starting fresh in a new pod.

I'm busy with work after returning from a trip but will join in the discussion soon.

Re: Starting to remember...

Hello Kira…

Nice to meet you too! - I see you live in one of my favorite states.  I'm planning a trip back out there in September. I just love the place.  I joined the other pod also.  Thanks for pointing it out.

Cat, I haven't read the book you mentioned but I belive I have seen it referenced in several of the ones I have read.  Of what I have read, the two I mentioned are probably my favorite.  In terms of scientific research I don't think there's anything to quite match Life Before Life.  I like the Shanti Devi story for its personal note.

Speaking of personal notes, if anybody has a personal story they'd like to share I'd love to hear.

Cheers!  :) 

Re: Starting to remember...

Hi J.K., and thanks for the greeting. Yes, Arizona is quite amazing. The Sonoran Desert has a mysterious, subtle beauty to it.

So here's a story:
I used to feel very miserable about being a human being. Back in 1982 I lived in the same city as my sister, and we were experimenting with all sorts of psychic things at the time. One day I was particularly miserable, and she suggested that I lie down with my head in her lap and try to just let go into what was going on for me. She gently rubbed my temples and guided me to a state of relaxation, and a vision (kind of like a movie) started unfurling in my mind. In the vision, I was an early human, maybe a Neanderthal, and it was my first human incarnation. Before that I had been a dolphin or whale for many incarnations, and because of those many lifetimes I knew about music. So as a Neanderthal I sang, but the people around me thought I was possessed and stoned me to death. As I was dying, I kept saying, I'm going back to the ocean.

I have a very strong connection with water and have always felt more of a kinship with non-human animals than with humans. One of my tasks in this lifetime is to learn about being human and about accessing my dolphin/whale wisdom in this human incarnation.

Related to that: I used to live in Santa Fe and regularly attended gatherings with Jose Stevens, who is a Michael channel. He used to talk about some now-humans having participated in a first wave of incarnations in whale/dolphin form (an entire series of incarnations, from baby soul through young soul through mature soul to old soul). I believe I'm one of those souls.

Re: Starting to remember...

Hey Kira… :)

Wonderful story.  I can relate very well to  '(kind of like a movie).'  I wonder if there's a word for that.  If not, perhaps we should make one up…  lol

Do you feel like you've made any progress accessing the dolphin/whale knowlege?  If so, was there a technique that you found valuable or did it come naturally?

Thanks also for mentioning Jose Stephens.  I'm not familar with him, but I seem to be running across shamanism almost every day now.  Another reference gives me one more hint that it's probably time to look.

Re: Starting to remember...

hey J.K.,

I don't feel as though I've directly accessed dolphin/whale memories, but I think a lot of the journey I'm on this time around is to access the wisdom of those times – like learning to be more fluid and organic, letting things flow better, etc. (all water imagery) – it feels as though water is my native element and I'm on a journey to reconnect with it

I use art therapy a lot in my own process – long story short: when I use art materials and really get out of the way, I sometimes access a level of inner wisdom that feels like the pure voice of my soul, spoken in images – it's the most naturally fluid way I know to connect and access wisdom

are you into astrology at all? do you know about the north and south nodes in a person's chart? I'm no astrology expert, but it's of interest to me – if I'm getting this right, the south node is what you bring into this incarnation, and the north node is your direction of growth – my north node is in Pisces (water energy) – my south node is in Virgo (precision and order) – I take it that my “assignment” this time around is to mellow out and access that water wisdom

cheers,
Kira

Re: Starting to remember...

Hey Kira… 

I can't say that I know a lot about astrology; however, your mention of art is timely.  Just this morning while doing my cardio I happened to watch Alex Grey - The Healing Power of Sacred Art.   He had some excellent things to say about using art as a tool for spritual progress.  

What type of art do you create?  :)

Re: Starting to remember...

hey J.K.,

take a look at this for starters… 

Re: Starting to remember...

Sounds beautiful, Kira. :)

I think sometimes the best things to do are the ones that we come up with on our own. I know that for me the practice I received the most benefit from wasn’t anything given to me in a book or by a teacher.

Rather than a meditation it was what I’d call a visualization. From my Stairmaster and with some very uplifting music on I would look out of my window across the medow and to the trees. From there I would envision consciousness in plants and pretend that they were able to hear the uplifting music through me. After a while and once I visualized the connection being made, I would envision the plant life reciprocating by sharing their energy with me.and entering through my heart. After a while, this imaginary dance became the high point of my day

As a result, I almost couldn’t wait to exercise.. lol

Re: Starting to remember...

hey J.K.,

that's a really cool idea – what a motivator!

I'm not really into following a particular path or having a teacher – I respect the fact that it works well for some people, but it's not my way – I read lots and attend workshops and do art and live my life, and I synthesize everything that resonates to propel me forward

Re: Starting to remember...

This is such a facinating topic, I hope to see people begin to post here again on a more regular basis.  I've read many books about past lives and though most have given useful infomation, it's not quite the same as individual experience.  There are few people in my life who believe in reincarnation, so there is little opportunity for me to discuss my memories with the people I'm closest to.  So it's especially nice for me to read about other people's experiences and memories.

Re: Starting to remember...

I am remembering a lot now about the most recent past life and a moment of heart wrenching interaction with a fellow whose spitual path/journey intersects with mine now…our last 15 years or entire life perhaps.

We are exploring similar issues questions about love, purpose of relationship, what are the purpose and pattern of present life difficulties….there are many level, subtleties and nuances that take great degree of unconditional love and compassion and insight to unravel.

Difficulty is I am more fully aware while the other person is dimly…still going through egoic battles! Someday I may write a novel based on it. Can't tell much as it is still unfolding…the soul's journey. It has been very rough for me at times, yet very revealing and healing too and the best part I feel is… this is how the sacred heart and sacred intimacy opens!

So bless me that I get to experience the whole of it….although at times I feel just quitting it and take the easy way out. Just love the mystery of it.

Peace
Mita for DCC

Re: Starting to remember...

Indeed, many blessings, Mita. And the strength of heart to remain open, and understanding….
    What do you suspect started to open this awareness?
    Are you aware of other past lives, particularly with those around you now?
Peace and wonder…..