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Do you talk to your friends and family about reincarnation? (merged)

crystal_44

crystal_44

Crystal
Although I remember much of the past, I've never really opened up and told my family and friends my memories. Not having someone to share this with has caused much confusion and loneliness. Though I wish to share this with those I am close to, I have no idea how to even approach them with the subject.​

Truthfully, I am a bit afraid of their reaction. While part of me feels that they may be supportive, another part of me fears they may be skeptical and think I am the victim of an overactive imagination. Does anyone have any advice on how to approach others with this sort of thing? Thank you.​
 
Reincarnation and past lives aren’t something you would bring up around the table over pie and coffee, is it? Can you guess what their reaction might be based on their religion or church membership? If not, you might approach it as if you read something about it on the Internet, which is true, and ask their opinion.

Hopefully they'll find the topic interesting, and be willing to discuss it with you. Until you know what they think or feel, you might want to stay neutral. That way, if they aren't open-minded, you won't raise too many eyebrows. You might want to read the FAQ and the archives for some issues to discuss in case you find someone willing to talk.

John
 
Yes it can be difficult and frustrating. I am fortunate I can share with my wife one close friend and of course the members of this forum :thumbsup:

Other than that, it is very hard. People will call you loony and/or start humming the theme music from The Twightlight zone. Recently, however, I had a most pleasant experience. At work (of all places) i was with 2 colleagues and we were adding up figures of numbers. One woman said "it totals 1066" and a second woman said very casually "oh the battle of Hastings. I was there." This started a short but interesting discussion which I hope we can resume next time the 3 of us are together.
 
Hi Crystal

I have the same issue with my own family. I have learned not to even bring it up. It just makes their eyes glaze over.:rolleyes: But like GreenKnight stated in his story about his co-worker I have done the same thing upon occasion. The results are mixed. I have hit gold a few times. I always try to see what they bring up in conversation. If they seem open to new ideas I will give it a shot with a comment such as in a pl I was that way or used to do that. A one liner that will register or not.

Jack
 
Hi Crystal (My closest friend is called Crystal!)

I have the same issues myself. I can't really talk about it to my family and friends. My mum says she believes in reincarnation, she had even been on this message board before and posted. I have only ever told her of one past life, and she said at the time she knew I was telling the truth, but now.... Whenever I bring it up she gets a kind of pained expression, like its embarressing for her to listen to so now I just don't bother. I have made friends on the Internet with people who also remember their past lives and so I find it much easier to talk to them about it.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your advice. Believe it or not, my mother briefly brought up the subject of reincarnation today. I'm wondering if it's a sign that I should open up to her.
 
It might be the only opening you'll get. I would suggest that you mention her comment to her, and ask her what she thinks about it. That should give you an indication to continue discussing it, or to drop the subject. Maybe she's as uncertain about this as you are. It would be a shame to miss your only chance.

John
 
My family is very open to this kind of stuff but they don't really have active PL memories or experiences, so my stories would still be a little weird to them. The same goes with my friends. But I also feel that my memories are quite private and I don't even feel very comfortable sharing them - so I don't mind not doing it. I occasionally share on the Internet, but to me it's different.

My boyfriend (we live together) thinks I'm a lunatic :laugh: but it's not like we argue about my beliefs - he lets me have them and sometimes asks about them, but he still thinks I'm nuts. :D

Karoliina
 
HI Crystal 44,

One of the easiest ways to broach the subject - is to bring up a song that is about re-birth, or talk about a poem or movie that is about reincarnation. Another option is to bring up a book - fiction or non-fiction. That way in the beginning you are not talking about yourself - but what someone else has presented for the public. This will either open the discussion or close it; this should enable you to get a feel for how they will respond to your own memories.
 
hmm... the best advice I can give you is to ease into it and feel around for what kind of reaction you might get. I think I remember seeing someone else mention that religious beliefs and whatnot will give you a clue whether there reaction will be good or bad. Also, I'd suggest talking first about the subject of reincarnation and how they feel about it, and if there is interest, then your memories should ease into the conversation. I'd also suggest sharing them one person at a time, i.e., talking one on one with a person rather than with a big group, as then you won't feel quite as vulnerable maybe? I've had both pleasant and regretful situations with sharing my past life stories, so I'd be a little cautious. good luck!
 
A few years ago my best friend's 2 1/2 year old granddaughter matter of factly said "say hello to your father”. Once before the baby had seen a soul image near a ceiling light. In spite of this, my friend still doubted reincarnation, but we continued to have spiritual discussions.

I've just finished reading Carol Bowman's Children's Past Lives, and have begun reading her Return From Heaven. She and I have been talking about some of the cases in the two books, and she now accepts reincarnation, and is going to read both books. So maybe if you haven't read anything on reincarnation, doing so might provide you with not only cases to discuss, but some ideas on how best to broach the subject. It was very helpful in my situation.

John
 
Its been a little easier for me to share because my son is the one with the memories. Sometimes, I'll tell people things that he has said about his past lives but don't necessarily say what I think about it unless they indicate they are open to it.
It starts some great conversations. I was surprised to learn that my brother and sister-in-law who are fundamental Christians believed what my son has said about his past lives. They know him and love him though and are aware that he can't possibly have known the things he was talking about from this life.
Vicky
 
Hiya Crystal,


Have you had any success talking about your beliefs and memories with your family?

If so -- did you try incorporating any of the ideas the other members posted? Just curious! : angel I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from hearing how your experience was -- and what worked for you.

Thanks!

Ailish:D
 
So far, no luck. I'm awaiting the right moment to talk to my mother, but it always seems as if there's something else going on or other people around.​
I'm very hesitant to tell her, and wondering if I even should. Part of me feels that it is necessary to talk about this with my mother in order to have resolution with the past, but part of me feels that it may be a mistake.​
What it boils down to is I haven't yet summoned the courage. However, it has been weighing heavily on my mind the past couple of weeks and I know it is only a matter of time before I talk with her. I sincerely appreciate everyone's advice and will be certain to let you know how things go. Thank you for all of your help.​
​
 
crystal_44 said:
So far, no luck. I'm awaiting the right moment to talk to my mother, but it always seems as if there's something else going on or other people around.​
I'm very hesitant to tell her, and wondering if I even should. Part of me feels that it is necessary to talk about this with my mother in order to have resolution with the past, but part of me feels that it may be a mistake.​
What it boils down to is I haven't yet summoned the courage.​
​
Click to expand...

Crystal,

It sounds like you are not quite ready yet. You want to tell her, but the right moment hasn't come. And you are still questioning whether or not to tell her.

From your initial post, it sounds as though your reason for wanting to tell her is because you feel loneliness, and you want to share this information with people you are close to.

So, you stand to gain from telling her. But does she? Other than making you feel less isolated by having people to talk with about PL memories and the like, how will this benefit her?

Phoenix
 
Chatting

Hello crystal_44
I have found that about everyone enjoys talking about History. The mentioning of the historical nature of reincarnation is a way to probe folks openess as to the concept of reincarnation. I have also at times said: "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in XYZ point in history?", only to be pleasantly surprised that very conservative folks opened up, said "Yes!" and went on to describe they had sensations (memories to us) of having lived in other times. I hope that this is enjoyable and useful.
Yours Truly
John R.
 
crystal 44

The last time I checked a national poll asking if you believe in reincarnation, 25% said yes,13% were unsure and 62 % said no. So when you start a conversation on this topic with any one ,recognize that only one in four may react favourably to you on this topic. Remember, we are the wayshowers and your patience will ultimately prevail.
 
tiltjlp said:
A few years ago my best friend's 2 1/2 year old granddaughter matter of factly said "say hello to your father”. Once before the baby had seen a soul image near a ceiling light. In spite of this, my friend still doubted reincarnation, but we continued to have spiritual discussions.
Click to expand...

As we have continued to discuss reincarnation and all things spiritual, my friend has gone from an interested Maybe to an enthusiastic Yes. In the beginning she said these forums weren't her cup of tea. Now I wouldn't be surprised if she reads the forum occasionally. Sometimes that first step to believing can be huge. I still feel a low key approach is best.

John
 
telling your "non-believing" family about your past life

I was wondering how many of you here, like me, keep your past life beliefs from your families? I haven't told any of my family because I think they all have closed minds regarding things like reincarnation. And also because of the fact that I was of the opposite sex in my most recent past life (the only PL that I can clearly recall), I think they would find that just laughable, and it would probably change their view of me forever. Even though I remember since I was a child, I had dreams of being a girl, I never told anyone because I thought there was something wrong with me.

I'd like to tell them, and them to believe me because what I've learnt about myself recently has obviously changed my whole outlook on life and death, and I'd like it to change theirs as well.

The only person I have told apart from everybody here in the forum, is my ex-wife, and she laughed at me to begin with, but when we discussed things a bit deeper, I think she is coming round to my way of thinking now, which is good. I'd like the same thing to happen with my family, but it's just taking that first step.

I'd like to know if any members have told their "non-believing" families, and the kind of reaction they got.
 
Chris~

I'm sorry you were laughed at. Sometimes people just don't realize how hurtful they can be.

Most (not all) of my family knows and supports the possibility, regardless of whether they believe 100%.

My husband believes, as he has his own PL memories.
 
Good for you Moon, it must be nice to have someone you can chat with face to face about it. I have yet to meet anyone who believes.
 
someone like myself you mean? but how do you start the ball rolling if both are afraid to say anything?

MoonDansyr said:
You actually may know someone already who is just afraid to approach the topic.
Click to expand...
 
Ask them if they have read the book --(Such and such)-any book about reincarnation you want to talk about. Point to someone elses experiences first. Pick a book that has a lot of evidence - such as those listed in the compelling cases thread in FAQ archives. ;) my 6 cents. ;)
 
good idea Deborah, approach it from a different angle you mean? then see the kind of reaction I get first. I think it's the gender issue though, If i'd been male in my last life I think it would have been easier to say something, but there's just something about saying I was female, I don't know, that's hard to get your head around when you've known someone only as male all their life, and you don't believe anyway. That's why my ex laughed at me, not for the fact that i'd been here before, but because I was the opposite sex.
 
Well shame on her for laughing.

Honestly, it sounds like this is all new to her. Lots of people don't even realize there's a whole big world outside of their own little box.

One of my favorite sayings is: Those who don't know, don't KNOW they don't know. (or something like that).

A lot of people (like your ex) get really hung-up on the whole gender thing (among other issues). I don't, but have difficulty explaining why, but I'll try. To me, a person is a person - - I don't see them as male, female, green, purple, orange ... they are a person. From there, I like them according to what *kind* of person they are, not their "identifying" factors. Unfortunately, in this time where we're being told that we're being taught equal rights and to discriminate and to always be politically correct, I think that just bring all the more "emphasis" to who or what is "different."

So, yes, you were female - - you were also a different race. Why is that more acceptable to her than your gender changing? MAYBE because she doesn't like to think she may have been a male at some point?

A person is a person is a person.
 
that's not even half of it Moon, she thought that because I was female in a previous life, therefore I must be "gay" in this life! How shallow is that? Fair play to her though, she has changed her attitude since we last talked about it, I think she understands a bit more now. And yes, I did point out that she was probably male at one time... and her face was a picture ;)
 
*L* I can imagine her face.

See, she just didn't even consider the possibility - - it's a whole new world to her. I'm glad she's opening up some. She may actually begin to think about some recurring dreams she's had or other thoughts or "flashes" and consider her own past lives.
 
Chris, I think Deborah's advice is perfect, and your ex's reaction might show why. If someone has never considered reincarnation, it can be a shock at first. It'll take them time to think about it for a while, and decide how they feel. An indirect approach is probably best. I have a friend who has slowly accepted the concept of reincarnation, since she has been visited by her father's spirit. Her next step is realizing that she has past lives herself. Sometimes it's a slow process.

John
 
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