would experience of no image/memory, just intense smell, be indicative of PL memory?

[KnickKnack]

My apologies if that is a ridiculous question (I'm very new with learning about past lives in general, and delving deeper in to my own memories and trying to reach a point where I have more memories and knowledge of past lives).

Recently, I was sleeping, and was awoken by this intense smell of smoke; as in thick, enveloping smoke that was so heavy I could have sworn our apartment-house was on fire. Jumping out of bed and hurrying around our apartment to see what was going on, I startled my husband who woke up and assured me that he smelled absolutely nothing. We checked indoors and outside, and nothing.

Again today, I was meditating, hoping to both relax and (ideally) catch a glimpse of a past life memory, and wham, it was as though I was dipped in to a cloud of thick smoke, then I was immediately darting around our apartment looking for the source, my teenage son looking at me as though I had lost my mind, saying that he smelled nothing.

Each time, I had no memory or image, just the (seemingly) very real smell of smoke.

The only other sensation that I had with each experience was that momentarily I had the feeling that I was unable to see, whether that be from the feeling of being in a wall of smoke or of blindness, I am unsure.

Would an experience such as these be connected to a past life experience, or am I over-reaching here?

 

[Nightrain]

Would an experience such as these be connected to a past life experience, or am I over-reaching here?

I think one would be in safe territory by suggesting that nearly everyone here would agree that any sensory memory can definitely be past life related, if there is no present life explanation such as a forgotten memory, extreme empathy, or a psychic awareness of someone else's experience.

 

[KnickKnack]

Thanks I am trying to be cautious and not take everything as a past life clue, so thought I'd ask about it being over-reaching. Being a newbie at this is sort of akin to walking on ice for me, so I am trying to tread carefully so I don't end up on my tushie

 

[Lady2]

It is certainly possible. Your imagination can't trick you into thinking your appartment is on fire, that's for sure. I know there are many different ways to experience past life memories, not everyone remembers them in a clear visual manner. Some people get impressions, strong feelings, etc. at first. I would say your past life memories are just beneath the surface! :thumbsup:

 

[Mama2HRB]

I, too, would say that a past life memory is working its way to the surface.

 

[Shiftkitty]

Phantom odors are not necessarily indicative of a PL memory surfacing. I have walked into my house and smelled chocolate chip cookies. This is called "phantosmia", I believe, an olfactory hallucination. The causes of it range from various medical conditions, including an impending head cold or a sinus infection. For some people, the phantom sensation is almost constant, and this is where these people are advised to see a doctor. A constant phantom odor indicates serious trouble in the brain. This would be constant as in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I'm no doctor, but based on yoru description it doesn't sound to me like you've got the big, chronic one. Still, when you smell smoke, it never hurts to check it out.


Not trying to be a nay-sayer, just making sure the mundane possibilities have been exhausted, first.


Addendum: Phantom sensations can go to work on any of the five senses.

 

[KnickKnack]

I will say that neither hallucination nor brain issues occurred to me, and I am in generally good health (no colds etc at the times of (or soon after) the experiences), however anything is possible. Well worth considering all of the different options, that's why I asked, to curb my newbie-ness

 

[Shiftkitty]

I always feel it's best to check out the mundane explanations first, but I agree that sensory hallucinations, especially minor ones, aren't something that most people even think of. If it happens constantly, see a doctor. If it pops up now and then, especially if it seems to happen only under certain circumstances, I'd go for more meditation and see what you can find. If it happens once or twice and goes a looooong time before it happens again, meh, probably the hallucination.


Hopefully you never regard it as a hallucination or a PL memory and find out the hard way that it's an actual fire!

 

[KnickKnack]

I am glad that you mentioned the sensory possibility because it took me down an interesting path - I had never even heard of sensory hallucinations before you mentioned it; when I was googling the topic to learn more, I came across the assertion that even things like having too many electronic devices in an area can affect people in different ways. Definitely made me think of things outside my usual patterns.

Hopefully you never regard it as a hallucination or a PL memory and find out the hard way that it's an actual fire!

I tend to be too much of a worrier for that (I guess there are times when my worry-wort nature can be a positive trait LOL)