If you remember a PL, why, and why now?

[Jody]

I'm sure this question has been asked on other threads, but I don't know how I'd begin to search for it. I read with interest a recent thread started by Florence that talked about not being able to remember death unless one was ready for it, but I wonder if Florence just asking that question wasn't a sign from her "higher self" that maybe it might be time to grant herself permission to explore that experience, because it might be relevent to her life now in terms of healing.

I've had two very different experiences with past life rememberances. The first one came around puberty, and I think it was very helpful for me. I remembered three different male lifetimes, and I think it was very good for me to know about them. I'm not a very feminine person, and I think I'm a lot more secure in my sexual identity knowing about the past lives. Plus knowing about my past lives helped me with spiritual issues, as well, plus these very adventurous past lives I remembered probably helped give me the confidence to do stuff like go to France as an exchange student, backpack around Europe, etc.

Now I'm facing a very challenging part of my life, and whether or not I'm actually this historically referenceable person, I can at least very strongly identify with his problems. The fact that I can stand back and study someone who resonates with me and see what they did wrong/right is undeniably helpful.

I'd like to know what others' experiences with why exactly they remember what they remember, and could there be a reason it popped up at a particular time?

 

[soulfreindly]

Hi Jody,


Maybe it is this life because the coming together of several experiences drawing out certain issues have happened . Like a record.. the groves have been laid deeply and we just cannot get away from hearing the patterns.


I do not think we can ever know the reason behind it??. Maybe it is not important to really know even if we could.?? It is more the process than the objective as I do not think you can quantify the self. THe self is an acting thing dependent on the experience happening which is bound to change=== it is more in the application of what we learn and who we are that we are true to ourselves.


Are you having a hard time now Jody??... like you feel stuck or just want more from your knowledge of the past lives you know??. There are times of lows and then things start to change once again--- we may feel stuck but it is just our perception as things are always changing.


I wonder that we do feel deeply stuck in certain patterns we just know that need to be worked out because we are reexperiencing pretty well the same scenario that we lived previously > Like that record in our mind / our subconscience recognises it , but we are not aware of it in our conscious mind. I myself have had two scenarios thousands of years apart which were so much the same it has to have been a planned pattern for me to learn through. And I think these are the key scenarios which others revolve around.


I have found it is important to keep on digging into other memories, always remaining open to further knowledge that might help us to make changes.


soulfreindly

 

[Alexnovo]

Jody, I do agree that often our subconscious mind offers up memories of past lives that will help us in some current problem. I think that happens to everybody, but many unfortunately do not take the hint and ignore it. I am glad that your memories have helped you in this life.


I also agree with Soulfriendly that sometimes the quest for knowledge can be an end in and of itself. In other words, some explorations of our past lives can be made just for the quest of knowledge itself. I also believe that even if we don't quite realize it at the time, that knowledge, any true knowledge will benefit us in immeasurable ways.

 

[tanguerra]

...sign from her "higher self" that maybe it might be time to grant herself permission to explore that experience, because it might be relevent to her life now in terms of healing.

Why do people remember past lives? Why do people remember anything? Memories cause pain when they recall unpleasant experiences, but they also assist with learning, wisdom, compassion, kindness, and so on. When we remember our own deeds and the problems which ensued, and the deeds of others and how that made us feel we are learning and, if we are wise, improving as we go. Have you seen the movie "Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"? It explores the idea of what would happen if we had the ability to erase certain inconvenient memories, how we would become somewhat 'heartless' in the way we interact with others, especially those we, in theory, love. (But, of course, in the end love conquers all. )


Why do we remember certain things at certain times? It may be that there is a 'higher self' which is the gatekeeper of memories. I don't know. I like to envisage it less hierarchically myself as 'the soul' - that which is ageless, timeless, made of spirit not flesh, part of the 'infinite' (however you conceive Her). We often lose contact with our 'soul' in times of busyness, hustle, bustle, consumerism, parenthood and stress. But, if we sit quietly (particularly in times of stress! ) we can often hear its still, timeless, calm but insistent voice calling our attention to something we are missing, or overlooking.


Sometimes what we are overlooking is a lesson we have already learned, but have forgotten, a lesson that needs revision. Sometimes, as is the way with memory, something in the present simply reminds us of something else in the past and up it comes, grinning at us from the mirky 'subconscious' of past life memory. Sometimes this can happen with present life memories too. For example, when a loved one dies, one will usually be flooded by memories of that person, things we might have thought forgotten from long ago childhood.

Now I'm facing a very challenging part of my life, and whether or not I'm actually this historically referenceable person, I can at least very strongly identify with his problems. The fact that I can stand back and study someone who resonates with me and see what they did wrong/right is undeniably helpful.

I am assuming, because you find this challenging (where you were quite relaxed about other past life memories) that what is coming up is something 'unfortunate'? Other people on the forum have recalled doing unsavoury things and being unsavoury people for that matter. That's OK. That was then, and this is NOW. Or perhaps I misunderstand. It sounds very interesting if you would like to share some more details.


Indeed you and the others are right: by reviewing 'what went wrong' in a previous life, it can give invaluable insights to present life issues. Sometimes these memories come just at the right time for whatever reasons.


As to being 'historically referenceable' we have discussed famous past lives elsewhere on the forum. Although, of course, it does happen - after all someone had to be that person once upon a time - it is not uncommon for people to start out thinking they might be a famous person, but it turns out that they simply knew them or worked for them or similar.

 

[Phoenix]

I'd like to know what others' experiences with why exactly they remember what they remember, and could there be a reason it popped up at a particular time?

We have a habit on here of getting bogged down in the "why" of things, as though nothing can happen without a cosmic or spiritual why. I tend to take a more rational realist look at things.


Why do you remember your current life? Because those are your memories. They belong to you. And if something happens to trigger a memory from your current life's past, you will remember it, good or bad.


Same with past lives. Memories are memories.


I don't know if any of us are "ready" to remember our deaths, or the suffering we may have experienced in the past. But, we do, and we process those memories, forgive ourselves and others, and get on with our lives.


Or, we keep ourselves in a holding pattern, either beating ourselves up eternally, or holding grudges against others.


We have that choice.


Phoenix

 

[tanguerra]

Or, we keep ourselves in a holding pattern, either beating ourselves up eternally, or holding grudges against others.


We have that choice.


Phoenix

Yes, but why! :laugh:


I know though Phoenix, and I agree with you. Past life memories are the same as present life memories, just over a longer time span and harder for most people to access - although some people seem to have enough trouble remembering this life. Why? I don't know.


Some things just 'are' whether we understand 'why' or not. It does not mean there is no meaning, just that it might not be clear to us at this time. That's OK. We don't have to understand everything and know how everything will turn out and what's going to happen next. That's part of the fun after all when we are operating on this 'plane'. Sometimes it feels as though we are making it up as we go along, and that could be because we are?

 

[Jody]

Here's one reason I think "remembering" or being suddenly confronted with the possibility of a past life might be a signal from the higher self that something needs (or is finally ready) to be dealt with:


I read something in a self-help book ... someone (I think it was a lady) kept having horrifying nightmares of a monster chasing her. Her therapist (who believed we can heal ourselves through our dreams) gave her tools to help her have lucid dreams, and suggested the next time she dreamt about that monster, she turn around and confront it. It turns out the next time that woman had the nightmare, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, whirled around and exasperatingly demanded, "What do you want???!!!"


And the monster stopped and calmly said, "You forgot something."

 

[Zengirl]

Hi Jody!


Timing of things is always questioned in life...mainly because Timing is everything! Maybe you are wondering if this is the right time to ask or to pursue this pastlife? Do you meditate? Next time meditate with a notepad and pen then ask your higher self if it's something you need to have knowledge of now? Would it be helpful to know of this pastlife? My own opinion is that self knowledge is always positive even if the facts aren't fun at the time. If you get something that is 'too heavy' for you to handle all at once, take a break and let it settle inside you for awhile until you can see it clearly and find peace.


Then pick up where you left off...


If your pastlife was of a famous person just remember, you don't have to 'live up to anything'....you already were that person and it's all inside you! So, bring it ON! Rise to the grand adventure that awaits you just around the next corner or in that next decision you make. :thumbsup:


~Zengirl

 

[Solysombra]

Each past life that we remember is for a reason and that is soul growth, so you will never ever recall a lifetime unless it will help you.


Some past lives will show you sides of your personality or instances where you were weak and need to improve. Others to recall past friendships. The reasons are always different and only you can know exactly why you remembered but there is always a reason.