How much influence does the past have on the present?

[angelzwings]

So as I have had a little time to ponder this I thought I would ask the question. Just how much do our past lives influence us in the present time. I know that in one of my past lives I was involved with Billy The Kid, and in the most recent memories I have had I believe I ran bootleg liquor during prohibition or around that era. Well,in this lifetime my career choice seems to be an interesting one...paramedic, so I wonder with all the bad things I saw and did in the past, is that the biggest determing factor for this life

 

[curious_girl]

Significantly

There has been a time that my past life almost took over this life,
but that was before I understood how past lives work,
and how to get old bad habits out of my system.

Today I can look at my past life without feeling haunted.
It's a book on my bookshelf, sometimes I pick it up and read a few lines.
Just to realize: that's what I did then and now I do things differently.

But there's a lot to thank my past life for, he gave me a lot of insights.
So maybe I ask myself sometimes: what would I have known now without you?

My past life self is my older brother who chose the wrong path and who sang:
Go tell my baby sister not to do what I have done,
but shun that house in New Orleans they call the Risin' Sun

And that's exactly what I have done.

Curious Girl.

 

[Susie]

Hi Angelwingz,

I am probably the minority here, and perhaps opening a can of worms, but I chose "little too none," which really seems too little, but "significantly" seems too much. Of course, our past does influence our lives but how much is not black or white. I feel that my past (whether this life or past life) has only as much influence/power over the present life as I give it. I also know that influence can be unconscious where we may not be aware of the connection. Consciousness creates in the here and now and we have the choice of how much or little to allow the past to inlfluence the present. I think the secret is to acknowledge memories as they come up, realize their importance, see how they do connect to today, and seek understanding.

 

[Ailish]

I chose little to none as well, although I feel that to some extent --as Susie pointed out -- the past probably does unconsciously influence the choices I make in my present life.

Whatever I have remembered regarding my past lives, has been purely beneficial from a learning perspective. I have seen patterns emerge, been able to see growth from life-to-life and have come to understand myself on a deeper level. I have been able to take that knowledge and apply it to my present life to create a positive, happy situation for myself in the NOW. Ultimately, the choices we make now are the most important, imo.

Ailish

 

[tiltjlp]

I voted Other, because I think that we can give our PL more power than they should have, if we let them. I feel our PL can be useful tools to help us better understand ourselves, but that's all they should be.

John

 

[jackh]

I think that it really depends upon just how much a soul seeks to balance out in any given lifetime. This life for me has been all about cleaning up loose ends and cutting ropes and chains from the past. There have been others where it was almost an open slate with very little influnce from the past.

Jack

 

[Karoliina]

I chose significantly, but I mean it in a way that in influences our taste in things, what we are drawn to, what we dislike etc. There are a lot of other things influencing these aspects, too - like surroundings and our parents' example etc. and it doesn't mean we can't decide to act differently - but in most cases people are not even aware of the past life influence and it's just considered part of person's character and natural behaviour - which it still is, imo.

There are of course some bigger issues that are influenced by past lives, too - but I think they are more about choosing to act in a certain way. Past lives have their role in all that but being a responsible person one can choose wisely only the good influence - although it's hard.

Oh what a mess this reply is... I'm finding it hard to explain this in English and besided I'm distracted by a football (soccer) game. Maybe I should stop writing... Go Ivory Coast! :thumbsup:

Karoliina

 

[What?]

I have noticed some interesting parallels, otherwise little to no impact really. Of course those past life memories have actually given me some great tips in some cases.

 

[dark rosaleen]

I picked "other" in that past lives have a lot of influence in some areas of my life and little or none in others.

 

[Ailish]

It's an older thread, but I'd be interested to hear from new members. Also, feel free to vote in the poll.

 

[Nightrain]

How much influence does the past have on the present? (Continued)


I do feel that the past greatly affects our present circumstances and how we choose to deal with them.


One of my arguments with God, however, has to do with not being allowed to remember what it was we did wrong in a past life. When we study history, we not only learn from the mistakes of others, but we would have a kind of guidebook for the present. What's wrong with that? However, such a guidebook is missing for most of us, who can't remember a past life. It's like buying the parts to make our own telescope, and not having the instructions for putting it together.


I personally don't like stumbling in the dark, and I'm sure that no one else does. Those who can remember their past life are to be envied and appreciated for their gift. But, what purpose does it serve for those of us who can't remember? Why must we go through this life without even a hint?


For reasons that I can't quite explain, I think that I tried to avoid coming here, and kept backing away at the last minute, which probably put my latest parents in so much hurt and heartbreak after losing one son to a fatal accident and several more to infant deaths and stillborns. What a terrible thing for them to go through.


Even after I did arrive I couldn't connect with them at all. Today, I would probably have been labeled autistic. People then just thought that it was a hearing problem. But, I very recently remembered a hospital anesthesiologist talking to me very clearly when I was four years old and they were preparing to operate on what they believed the problem was. I could hear her and understood her! Apparently, I didn't want to talk for some reason.


Perhaps I didn't look forward to this life, and I certainly would have backed out again, if I had known what would come to be. Perhaps that is why so many other children can't remember. If we had known what had been laid out for us, we probably would not have wished to be in this life.


Somehow, I survived it all and feel stronger for it. I also learned how good I had life when compared to so many other horrific lives that I witnessed along the way. Knowing, now, what could lie ahead in the next life, however, I certainly don't look forward to it. Perhaps, again, I won't be allowed to remember.


Whether any of this is real or not, it is all conjecture. But it does offer an explanation for some things. Certainly, the past does affect the present; even if we can't remember it. But, ****! It still makes me angry!

 

[Six]

Pastlives have everything to do with your basic life tendency. The thing is, you're not bound to your past. You know what you did in the past by what's happening in the present. You make the causes in the present that you want to see future.