People say repressed memories don't exist [ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/06/3003364.htm?section=world ]
Explain.
Explain.
How can there be a past life if MOST people don't remember them?
- Thread starter kandeeee
- Start date
HI Kandeee,
May I ask....where you are getting your information when you say "most people" don't remember past lives.
There are a lot of links here on the forum that might interest you. Just let me know what your looking for and I will link you to them.
The article is talking about suppressed memories in this life.
May I ask....where you are getting your information when you say "most people" don't remember past lives.
There are a lot of links here on the forum that might interest you. Just let me know what your looking for and I will link you to them.
Nightrain
Senior Registered
Hi Kandeeee! I'm not academically qualified to critique Professor Grant Devilly, from Griffith University's Psychological Health research unit. However, I can tell you with absolute conviction that he is wrong in some of his pronouncements. For one thing, there are many more qualified "experts" in his field, who can produce scientific studies to show that many people are unable to remember traumatic life-changing events. I can also tell you that I cannot remember specific traumatic events in my life, and many other Veterans are continuing to suffer from severe PTSD from events that they cannot remember, even though others can verify that certain events did happen. Devilly's grand statement, "We're now getting, at the end of between 8 and 12 sessions, 90 to 92 per cent of people no longer meet the criteria for PTSD," does not reflect the findings of the Veterans Administration. Perhaps the greatest damage that anyone can do to anyone needing help for PTSD was included in a briefing to the US Supreme Court by Professor Richard McNally from Harvard University, when he described the theory of repressed memory as "the most pernicious bit of folklore ever to infect psychology and psychiatry". I would say that his very brief is the most pernicious bit of folklore ever to be presented to a Judicial Body.
In all fairness to the above self-described "experts" the injustices placed upon innocent day care providers during the day care trials of the 80's and 90's were proof that false memories can be unwittingly planted in the minds of unsuspecting children. But, to make sweeping statements that all cases of repressed memory are false, is ignorant and unjust -- especially when those pronouncements come from supposedly educated and trained authorities.
It is best to bear in mind that much of the so-called expertise in the Western world is based upon dogmatic religious and "scientistic" myopia, which refuses to recognize or even investigate actual research that is readily available. Rather than depending upon the statements of individuals, I would encourage anyone to investigate both sides of any question.
In all fairness to the above self-described "experts" the injustices placed upon innocent day care providers during the day care trials of the 80's and 90's were proof that false memories can be unwittingly planted in the minds of unsuspecting children. But, to make sweeping statements that all cases of repressed memory are false, is ignorant and unjust -- especially when those pronouncements come from supposedly educated and trained authorities.
It is best to bear in mind that much of the so-called expertise in the Western world is based upon dogmatic religious and "scientistic" myopia, which refuses to recognize or even investigate actual research that is readily available. Rather than depending upon the statements of individuals, I would encourage anyone to investigate both sides of any question.
SavingSocrates
Alurayne
Hello Kandeeee. As I continue to browse these forums--searching for something I have yet to find--I am hoping to pass at least a bit of my opinion to those things I might chance a say in.
Completely lacking the wider, cited knowledge that my knowledgeable peers have presented, I only have my own thoughts to give.
I believe that, the 'most people' that you are referring to, may or may not have had a PL. My view on it is that a strong sense of a PL only presents itself to those people who lived an influential life in the past that was not completed to its fullest, or was otherwise left with regrets. As beautiful as PL's can sometimes be, they can also be nightmarish to those who cannot handle them. If we all had a sense of a PL, we may never be able to function as a modern system, because we would all have our eyes cast back in historical distances, unable to be in two places at once. Your statement is kin to saying, "How can there be a God if MOST people don't believe in Him". It's all a matter of your beliefs, your motivations, dreams, desires, and so on. But, again, my opinion can barely hold a candle to my betters.
Completely lacking the wider, cited knowledge that my knowledgeable peers have presented, I only have my own thoughts to give.
I believe that, the 'most people' that you are referring to, may or may not have had a PL. My view on it is that a strong sense of a PL only presents itself to those people who lived an influential life in the past that was not completed to its fullest, or was otherwise left with regrets. As beautiful as PL's can sometimes be, they can also be nightmarish to those who cannot handle them. If we all had a sense of a PL, we may never be able to function as a modern system, because we would all have our eyes cast back in historical distances, unable to be in two places at once. Your statement is kin to saying, "How can there be a God if MOST people don't believe in Him". It's all a matter of your beliefs, your motivations, dreams, desires, and so on. But, again, my opinion can barely hold a candle to my betters.
SavingSocrates
Alurayne
I sincerely appreciate your comment, catseye; it is words like these that shall continue to encourage my stay here.
usetawuz
Senior Registered
SavingSocrates...I would disagree with you solely on the above comment...I do not think that the previous life referenced in a PL must have been that of an influential individual...those are certainly much easier targets for verification or study, however valuable information and experiences can come from any incarnation regardless of renown.SavingSocrates said:
As for the rest of your opinions, I find them considered, thoughtful and remarkably in line with my own. Once again, welcome.
SavingSocrates
Alurayne
Maybe I worded my thought incorrectly.
The general idea I meant was that those people whose PL was more dramatic or traumatic, for instance, are more likely to recall and defend the concept of PL's. It seems there are many examples on this Forum alone of people recalling PL's ending in hard deaths, of things of that matter. Though they may be there, I have not seen many examples of very common lives, ending in quiet, normal deaths, or ones devoid of confusion or difficulty.
For example, someone now may more easily--and believably--recall a PL which took place during the Holocaust--only for example--than they would recall a PL of a cobbler who lived a little-to-no-action life, if that makes sense. The same way we now more readily recall emotionally-charged events in our lives, rather than the mundane; does that clarify things at all? Not that I intend to change your opinion--I just realized I did not make myself very detailed.
The general idea I meant was that those people whose PL was more dramatic or traumatic, for instance, are more likely to recall and defend the concept of PL's. It seems there are many examples on this Forum alone of people recalling PL's ending in hard deaths, of things of that matter. Though they may be there, I have not seen many examples of very common lives, ending in quiet, normal deaths, or ones devoid of confusion or difficulty.
For example, someone now may more easily--and believably--recall a PL which took place during the Holocaust--only for example--than they would recall a PL of a cobbler who lived a little-to-no-action life, if that makes sense. The same way we now more readily recall emotionally-charged events in our lives, rather than the mundane; does that clarify things at all? Not that I intend to change your opinion--I just realized I did not make myself very detailed.
Actually, as I understand it, we aren't meant to remember, as it would only confuse most people who should be learning something NEW every incarnation.
It's rather like wiping the class blackboard clean at the end of every day and starting anew the next day.
The sum total of ALL of our incarnations brings us that much closer to our Creator.
Just my opinion.
It's rather like wiping the class blackboard clean at the end of every day and starting anew the next day.
The sum total of ALL of our incarnations brings us that much closer to our Creator.
Just my opinion.
usetawuz
Senior Registered
It is my belief that our incarnate amnesia of past lives is intended to enable us to attain a full immersion into this current "reality". As our lives progress and move into situations that either enable a greater enlightenment, or had planned to attain greater enlightenment, we come to sense things that will make our current lives more clear, or will send us into specific directions seeking an understanding of those feelings.
SavingSocrates...I appreciate your clearing up your previous comments. And it strikes me that in many cases the PL tragedies and violent deaths may create a more accessible, higher energy memory, but in my case (cases) I have seen few clearly violent deaths and many leaving a worn out, old body struggling for that last breath and feeling such instantaneous relief and satisfaction upon its conclusion. But more often I have seen vignettes of events and slices of life from non-life threatening decisions...the emotion and sense of place separate them from mundane mental meandering for me.
It may also be that what we are shown is what our guidance thinks we should focus on...many of my visions and memories are geared toward past lives wherein I lived a bucolic lifestyle of low drama with deeply felt relationships and exhibit an amazing sense of peace, love and harmony (isn't that a song? Ah, yes...The Smiths! "...peace, love and harmony...is very nice, very nice, very nice...but maybe in the next world..." Hmmm.). It is my craving to obtain just such a lifestyle now and it seems this is what I am being shown...sort of a hint as to what it feels like and how to recognize it when it comes. This is how I see it, and to paraphrase shiftkitty once more..."your mileage may vary".
SavingSocrates...I appreciate your clearing up your previous comments. And it strikes me that in many cases the PL tragedies and violent deaths may create a more accessible, higher energy memory, but in my case (cases) I have seen few clearly violent deaths and many leaving a worn out, old body struggling for that last breath and feeling such instantaneous relief and satisfaction upon its conclusion. But more often I have seen vignettes of events and slices of life from non-life threatening decisions...the emotion and sense of place separate them from mundane mental meandering for me.
It may also be that what we are shown is what our guidance thinks we should focus on...many of my visions and memories are geared toward past lives wherein I lived a bucolic lifestyle of low drama with deeply felt relationships and exhibit an amazing sense of peace, love and harmony (isn't that a song? Ah, yes...The Smiths! "...peace, love and harmony...is very nice, very nice, very nice...but maybe in the next world..." Hmmm.). It is my craving to obtain just such a lifestyle now and it seems this is what I am being shown...sort of a hint as to what it feels like and how to recognize it when it comes. This is how I see it, and to paraphrase shiftkitty once more..."your mileage may vary".
SavingSocrates
Alurayne
I have found this bit of genius to be very reminiscent of the idea of PL's. Just a thought to provoke thought.
igotplans2
New Member
My two cents
I'm by no means an expert on these things, and have only been delving into the topic deeply for about a year. But one observation I'd make is that most who remember experienced a trauma of some sort causing their deaths in the past lives (which is not the greater percentage of us, most dying of illness or old age), or they died with regret about important things left undone at the time of their passing. And then there are those reincarnated into their own families for the purpose of healing past relationships. I'm a little more well versed on the subject of near-death experiences, and time after time those people have reported that souls re-entering this dimension are told they're intentionally put into a state of forgetfulness about most or all of their time in the heavenly realm or past lives because it would interfere with the new purpose they're about to embark upon. Then, of course, there's the tendency so many have to write off what may be past-life memories as just imagination because of conditioning to believe it's not possible, or suppression of one's own or a child's memories because "most" people find it uncomfortable or regard it as a taboo subject. My own son has had past-life memories of dying of a heart attack and of being a soldier who was accidentally killed by "friendly fire," and doesn't want to further explore, talk about or think about them if he can help it. He says he doesn't like the emotions that accompany being anyone other than who he is now, in this family, because we're all very close. He first spoke of the heart attack around age three. He's now 21, and his life's been pretty severely impacted by his persistent fear of being killed in an accident of some sort. He rarely ventures out of the house, wouldn't ride a bike, skate, or play any sports where he might be touched, doesn't want to learn to drive, and is terrified by the sound of gunshots or anything like them. Still, he won't explore the past lives.
I'm by no means an expert on these things, and have only been delving into the topic deeply for about a year. But one observation I'd make is that most who remember experienced a trauma of some sort causing their deaths in the past lives (which is not the greater percentage of us, most dying of illness or old age), or they died with regret about important things left undone at the time of their passing. And then there are those reincarnated into their own families for the purpose of healing past relationships. I'm a little more well versed on the subject of near-death experiences, and time after time those people have reported that souls re-entering this dimension are told they're intentionally put into a state of forgetfulness about most or all of their time in the heavenly realm or past lives because it would interfere with the new purpose they're about to embark upon. Then, of course, there's the tendency so many have to write off what may be past-life memories as just imagination because of conditioning to believe it's not possible, or suppression of one's own or a child's memories because "most" people find it uncomfortable or regard it as a taboo subject. My own son has had past-life memories of dying of a heart attack and of being a soldier who was accidentally killed by "friendly fire," and doesn't want to further explore, talk about or think about them if he can help it. He says he doesn't like the emotions that accompany being anyone other than who he is now, in this family, because we're all very close. He first spoke of the heart attack around age three. He's now 21, and his life's been pretty severely impacted by his persistent fear of being killed in an accident of some sort. He rarely ventures out of the house, wouldn't ride a bike, skate, or play any sports where he might be touched, doesn't want to learn to drive, and is terrified by the sound of gunshots or anything like them. Still, he won't explore the past lives.