This is a true life story, so fantastic that most people would find it hard to believe. Dr.Brian Weiss is a psychiatrist by profession. He is a graduate from Columbia University and Yale medical school. In this book he recounts his experience with a patient, Catherine who was suffering with chronic anxiety attacks. When traditional methods of therapy failed, he tried hypnosis on her. During these sessions she recalled her past life experiences and even the time in-between her lives. Her recollections were so vivid and revealed information she could not have known at all, that he was convinced that they were definitely from the past lives.
He started researching on this phenomenon to get a better understanding of what was happening to Catherine. He studied the works of Dr.Ian Stevenson, another psychiatrist from Virginia University, who had collected over 2000 experiences of children who had memories of their past life. Some even exhibited ability to speak languages that they were not exposed to (xenoglossy). He also found references of reincarnation in the old and the new testament. The Roman emperor Constantine deleted these references because he felt that this concept would weaken the growing power of the church by giving humans too much time for salvation.
More than her recollections of her past lives, what I found amazing was her messages from time in-between lives. She heard messages from whom she termed ‘masters’ and they provide some profound philosophical insights. “Our task is to learn, to become god-like through knowledge. By knowledge we can approach god”. This sounded so much like Vedantic statement, “gnayanad eva kaivalyam – knowledge alone can lead to god-hood”
In another encounter with the masters, Dr.Brian gets to hear a message from his dead son and father. She was able to provide information about them which no one else could possibly know. She revealed the Hebrew name of his father, the heart condition due to which his new born son died and the reason why Dr.Brian chose psychiatry. She also said that his son was born and to repay his parent’s debts.
These experiences made Catherine increasing psychic. She was able to remember her past life recollections; however she was not able to remember the in-between states. What was remarkable about Catherine’s knowledge according to Dr.Brian, which defied all other explanations, was that it was not only detailed and specific but beyond her conscious capacity. Within three and a half months of her first hypnosis session her symptoms virtually disappeared. Here is another very Hinduism-like message from the masters “We have debts that must be paid. If we have not paid out these debts then we must take them to another life…”
Having been associated with teachings of Hinduism from childhood, I did not find this story hard to believe. Unless Dr.Brian is blatantly lying there seems to be no other explanation for this phenomenon. But then why would he lie? He was taking a great professional risk by writing this story. He was a respected psychiatrist and the chairman of Psychiatry at a medical center in Miami. He had lot to lose and nothing to gain by telling this story.
Dr.Brian Weiss talks about this in the preface to the book, “It took me four years to garner the courage to take the professional risk of revealing this unorthodox information. Suddenly, one night, I felt the need to put this down on paper…. I knew that no possible consequence I might face could prove to be as devastating as not sharing this knowledge… I thought of my old Hungarian grandfather who died when I was a teenager. Whenever I would tell him I am afraid to take a risk, he would lovingly encourage me by repeating his favorite English expression: Vat the hell”
“But then why would he lie?”
To make money and garner fame? As much as I would like to believe in reincarnation, no claim of information passed on after death has ever withstood serious scrutiny. The same can’t be said about people who would bend the truth to make their point. Whatever may lie beyond the veil is still a mystery, and likely always will be. I’m not ruling out reincarnation mind you, but I have yet to see any proof.
Heck, it’s been pointed out that virtually all of the reincarnation reports from India involve a person of lower class “remembering” a privileged life in a much higher social class. That alone says we are likely dealing with a cultural/psychological/social issue, not actual reincarnation.
And the tendency for hypnosis to create false memories consciously or unconscionably on the part of the hypnotist is so well documented that it hardly needs mentioning.
Interesting stuff though, and I could certainly be wrong. As always your post stimulated thoughts and a rant. LOL
Interesting post Archana.
I have read book Archana..Its definelty a good read..But i really find the book bit supeflous…
With all due respects to Dr Weiss as a researcher I really find it hard to accept the way Reincarnation is explained…. and finding a soution to inhand problems by going back was bit too much for me digest….
although i have read about it in a tamil magazine, your post was really interesting archana.
And this exemplified one aspect for me. Why there is so much opposition even in America, that one is brandished as evil and attempted to character assasinate. (as they could not physically assasinate
)
I was reading the book about dangerous effects of pesticides by Rachol Carson. and when she released her book, almost all chemical company attempted to reject her findings, and in fact tried to project her as mentally ill, and unstable.
But, yet, now her work has crossed 30 editions, and brought about major change in the way Food is produced now.
Going by this, i would like your comments on “Arul” typically expressed by religious people (mostly women) in rural areas.
I already expressed this in Sukumar’s blog, but he rejected it outrightly. But, the next week, when i went to my gula deivam for annual worship, one middle aged person (in some way distant relative of mine) got “Arul” and he propheted few words. And i keenly observed him, and there was no sign of any psychological defect, or any conspiracy on his part to cheat. He was in elevated state, breathing heavily, and losing his control..
How can we take such incidents. I dont know whether you have seen anything such directly.. but, its a common occurence in our areas, which i have seen a lot. I could not simply reject this, and strongly feel, there is something that we could not comprehend.
Can we relate this thing to weiss’s findings?
(PS: In one of the events in my childhood, four persons were murdered in a state highway, and after few months, a lady got arul and exposed the real murderers.. she doesnt even have remotest connection to this event, but based on her utterences, those culprits were caught.
Again, if i tell this in public forum, i may be branded as psycho..)
Unitedcats… This type of issues, are largely handled from one’s point of belief rather than based on the merits of the issue at discussion..
In that sense, the post author (and me too) and you are at opposite ends now..
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Doug – You make valid points. However, what I found striking about this story is that no where is the protagonist connected to Hinduism. Infact, in all her lives she is not even close to India. Even the author talks about Judaism, Christianity but seems to have little exposure to Hinduism. The fact that neither the author, nor the the lady had any connection in India and Hinduism made an impression on me.
Sukumar – Thank you.
Karthik – Thank you Karthik. I do agree that it is hard to believe. As I said, I may be baised because of my hindu leanings
Senthil – I have heard such stories too. Recently my dad’s friend was recounting his experience with a astrologer who could recount so many details from his life which he could not have known at all.
Mr Goodinfo – Thank you. But not interested.
Pretty interesting but I do think it will really pass the scrutiny. We ( at least most of us in India) being Hindus, find it easy to empathizise with Dr. Weiss’ findings I guess.
Thank you Krishnan. You are right, it is very easy for us to emphathize. I wish someone would validate the findings and check if it is genuine.
I just posted a blog on ch1 on the same book not knowing that you’ve posted one.. Obviously your review is much better done…
As for the book, I absolutely loved it.
Thank you Pritha. I will check out your review on CH1B.
Archana – There’s a lot between outright lying & truth. People make “false memories” all the time. False Memory can happen because of many reasons – injury, lesions in the brain, drug abuse, general gullibility etc.
When people narrate their false memories, they generally believe them to be true.
I expect Dr Weiss to show us the Functional MRI of his subjects. Neurologists have found that – If the Medial Temporal Lobe gets activated, its most likely the truth. If the Frontal Pareital Lobe gets activated, its highly likely that a false memory is narrated by the subject.
Valid points Priya. Let me see if I can locate his email address and mail to him regarding this.
For everyone having their various reasons why they are skeptics on the validity of “past lives” and a conscious knowledge gained through the life itself…I am hear to tell you that it is a very real and genuine knowledge, experience & wisdom that we all have. I used to be just like most of you commentors. I was very skeptical and raised in a very strict catholic household. Then when I was 26 years old, with an open mind and strong intuitive skills already in tact, I met a very special woman that was somewhat of an expert in the area of “channelling” people to their past life experiences. It’s just a basic ritual that she went through. I’m confident not much different than that of a psychiatrists, to prepare the mind for the amazing journey. Once I was in the targeted state of being able to “travel” through my present past, all the way through infancy and the birth canal, I began to re-experience the same exact instances I had in my various past lives. Although, they were just mere flashes of various stages in my past lives, I can tell you that I gained a full arena of knowledge, in great detail, of these lives. I recited very detailed information relevant to these past lives instantly. Including dates, addresses, countries, years, names, exact geographical detail and historic time frames. It was truly amazing. At the time the reading was being done, I lived directly under the cities airport and to this day it amazes me that I never heard one plane landing. These planes usually shook my windows off the track and it was impossible to hear or be heard until they past over-head and far from my apartment. During the entire “reading”, I never heard one plane or anything else that would normally distract me from concentrating on something I’m focused on. The colors were more vivid and rich than my perception is visually in every day life. I also experienced my death coming to pass in two of the three lives I re-visited. It was just like watching a movie with the script already implanted in my memory bank. I was never asked or implied to give any money or anything else to this woman for her “reading” and when it was all over and I stood up, I wasn’t afraid of dying anymore. My whole life I had my fears and doubts just like all of you do, that leaves us paralyzed at the thought of actually becoming non-existent in the world as we know it. Don’t be afraid! God is there and so are many, many others waiting to guide all of us and show us the path that teaches what we want to know. And, there is so much LOVE its indescribable. We are all connected and everything in the universe and the world this very instant, is exactly how is supposed to be…everything…no matter what it is…that is how it was meant to be and that is how it will continue to be. I highly reccommend that if you are ever given the opportunity to have a past life reading by a legitimit and knowledgable person, give yourself some wisdom and peace…do it!
one more comment regarding “drug abuse”, “false memories”, “gullability” and “brain lesions”, its all a bunch of psycho bable fearing-resistance to a legitimite recollection. This isn’t something you can “prove”. You must experience it for yourself as an individual. There will always be skeptics and excuses to discredit something as simple and “user friendly” as a past life reading. So, try it for yourself then if you still want to find some “technical” way of discrediting the whole existence of it. Go ahead! You have nothing to lose and if it makes you happy…you should be able to easily find a scientific neuro explanation for it. I would think that everyone who casts doubt on this would be lined up to experience it for themselves so that they can prove their point that much faster….its not uncommon for people to think that “faith” and “science” are no longer such strange bedfellows…*smile*
Carol – Since when is a “brain lesion” psycho-babble? They are actually there & they distort memory, experience & functioning.
The problem I have with recollections of the birth canal is this. The brain at that stage is not capable of forming memories. A 6 month old baby has a memory of 24 hours. The hippocampus that is responsible for memory is just not developed.
Subjective experience is not proof.
Carol – Let me also say this. I’m perfectly ok with other people’s beliefs, as long as its not labeled “science”. I respect the right of other people in having faith & a belief system.
The minute something is labeled “science”, we skeptics want to see independently verifiable proof. And a scientific analysis. Since questioning is the basis of science, we’ll poke, prod & dissect the topic to our satisfaction. We’ll come with our scopes, meters & assorted measuring devices.
If you don’t like that, you are free to call it “faith”. And we’ll back off.
Carol – Thank you very much for recounting your experience. Sounds really amazing. I wish I could meet this lady and go through a session. I have always believed in past life and rebirth. I have not come across people who have had recollections of their past life, thats why I found this book facinating. I found if credible because it was recounted by a qualified psychiatrist.
Thank you once again for sharing your experience.
Priya- Thanks for your comments. Objectivity has kind of lost its meaning after the Uncertainity theory which pretty much concludes that the observer influences the observed. Although I diagree with your views, I respect your opinion.
Archana – Thanks. “Uncertainty Principle” & “Observer Effect” are often misquoted.
What it means by observer is not the person, but – say – a photon from the measuring device. Being small enough, it can influence the behavior of other sub-atomic particles.
“Observer Effect” cannot be extrapolated to people influencing events simply by observing. Its a nice analogy, but there’s no documented, scientific proof.
Hi Priya,
I do know what Uncertainty Principle means when it says that the observer (photon) impacts the observations. But it’s implications are far more then what you have acknowledged. Observer effect is not simply as poetic analogy. As recently as last month, I read in The Hindu about a scientific paper which was published. It claims that we may have speeded up the demise of the universe because of our observations (based on Uncertainty Principle). I do not have access to the paper, so I do not know how they arrive at it. All I want to say is that the ‘observer effect’ (more then just Photon disturbances) is not some ignorent extrapolation of people who have not understood what the theory says. It seems to be discussed in serious scientific circles.
I also recommend that you read Tao of Physics where he examines this in detail. Here are a few excerpts from the book
“In atomic physics scientists cannot play the role of a detached observer, but becomes involved in the world he observes to the extent that he influences the properties of the observed object. John Wheeler sees this involvement of the observer as the most important feature of quantum theory and he has therfore suggested replacing the word ‘observer’ with the word ‘participator’
….
Heisenberg says “Natural science does not simply describe and explain nature; it is part of the interplay between nature and ourselves”
Archana – In all this, I don’t see why objectivity has become irrelevant.
Capra’s “Tao of Physics” was slammed by many physicists since it was written about 30 years back. I’ll certainly read that & write a review. I haven’t read that so far because – Physicists have complained that his extensions on the theory are based on accidental similarities & a play of words. And the story that Capra’s inspiration came when he was high on psychedelic drugs like LSD doesn’t help, either.
As you say – from what I see, I respectfully disagree with you.
I think this started from Carol’s session & how she recalled her past life. My polite objection to recalling past lifes still stands, pending proof in the form of an fMRI. Especially since I can’t understand how memory can be accessed once our past life’s brain has died.
But I’ll be the 1st person to hail Dr Weiss, should verifiable proof be provided.
Good to know that Priya. My reason for bringing up Uncertainity theory is this. In my humble opinion, your view of scientific proof seems very narrow. It does not fit for subtler, higher concepts. It is like trying to view the microbes with the naked eye, refusing to acknowledge the use of microscope. I know you will rubbish it. But it is my opinion.
Archana – Its not my view, just the way skeptics approach things. We’ll use microscopes, telescopes, periscopes – whatever is available. We just won’t accept untested, untestable instruments or ideas. At least till a workable proof has been provided.
In my humble opinion, if someone can’t provide proof, they can call it a theory or faith – instead of claiming that the skeptics have a narrow point of view. We’ll wait for any number of years till you can produce proof. Then we’ll gladly accept what you have to say.
There’s nothing personal about it.
Thank you Priya. Yes, there is nothing personal about it. You are entitled your views on faith and I am entitled to my view of what is ‘untested, untestable instruments or ideas’:-).
Atleast, priya is believing on those who tested the proofs..
Today i just saw Humming bird, extracting honey from a flower… NO one could prove, how such creature is created.. who gave the sense and knowledge to that living bird?
Can we deny the working of brain, because its not proved. Similarly, how love, anger, trust, etc emerges from our brain, is not yet proved.. but, yet we are accepting all those, because we are able to realise ourselves.
Not everything can be proved by science, but still we see before our eyes..
People who read this book seem to react only to the point about reincarnation. I am still reading the book. And I see a lot more than reincarnation being covered there.
In fact most of the book covers the messages from the masters. It’s these messages which have me in their thrall. At times it felt like I was being spoken to.
The theme of the messages can be seen even in the writings of the Theosophical Society.Maybe its only me but the masters mentioned in the book seem to have a similar to the masters of the Theosophical Society.
Anyone having an inclination towards the mystical and esoteric ideas will find that themselves resonating to the messages.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
above are only the random thoughts which traversed through my mind. if only they would arrange themselves into some order …………
will be back when i am more lucid
Thank you Ashwin. Even I found the message from the masters very intriguing. Looking forward to more of your thoughts on this subject.
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A lovely post indeed!! This book has changed many of my perceptions!!
Your life will represent your pure thoughts making your physical self(also) glow in the literal sense…. Wherever you go, you will attract people towards you, more so – beautiful thoughts and positive vibrations…. (I am experiencing it every second – wishing,hoping and waiting for that day wen all of us shall glow and unite with the soul of the universe which no mad made science can explain…. )
Jus my suggestion (my experience has taught me!) Stay calm, don’t try to explain these processes…. the way you lead your life will take care of it….
PS: THE MESSAGE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MESSENGER
I think you should also check out the book Same Soul Many Bodies by the same author and also the book Conversations With God (dont remember author’s name).
I think the underlying message in all these books which we as readers should get is “How we can live as a better person in a society”.
Hey Everyone! after reading Many Lives Many Masters (which was my first encounter with the subject of reincarnation) I’ve become convinced, on the most part, of the validity of it all. What really confuses me sometimes though is the numerous opinions and different point of views. The underlying messages in Weiss’s book make perfect sense and are indeed spiritual. If you are a religious person, you will have been probably told not to believe in reincarnation, however it turns out that all the religions i’ve looked into so far refer to the validity of reincarnation. Interesting.
Anyway don’t stop trying to find out the truth!
I wish you all the best!
Correct me if i am misunderstanding what “person” Catherine is speaking from when under hypnosis, but i am assuming she is speaking in “first person”. On page 27 Catherine is quoted as saying the year is 1863 B.C. (Before Christ). That is a designation used to number the years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars, which came into use around 45 B.C. and 1582 respectively. If she was speaking from her “present day” mind, how was she able to calculate the actual date which probably would have been a “regnal year” type, )based on the rulership of a king or monarchy) into the Gregorian calendar we use today?
Regor, the whole idea of hypnosis is there so that people can tell and “calculate” things that they normally cannot do. Try to approach all this with an open mind, knowing that you didn’t invent it, and that therefore it doesn’t conform to your logic.
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I think you made some good points in your post.
I dont understand why people love to hate a different opinion. There is nothing wrong in having beliefs but at the same time the beliefs should be allowed to undergo scrutiny time and again. Anecdotes can be used to formulate hypotheses/theories (that by defination are PROBABLE explanations or SPECULATIONS) but are not mathematical (2+2=4). This blog has fuelled me enough to go-buy this book and read it.