Reincarnation and Past Lives

Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives

by Brian L. Weiss

Average Rating:

"Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss, M.D. was an easy, enjoyable read. Well written and fast paced, I read it in one sitting. Most of the subject matter covered will not be new to a long-time student of reincarnation. This book is geared for readers new to the subject, as Dr. Weiss was at the time the events he describes took place. His analysis of events may annoy those who don't require concrete proof of spiritual realities. He offered no verifiable scientific proof of what he presented anyway. It was encouraging to see a serious scientist open his mind to faith without proof. Dr. Weiss' enlightenment on the subject (in this, his first book) is limited to one patient he regressed through 12 of her 86 past lives. The ones that are delved into aren't described in much depth. Though the regressions reveal personal insight into her present life difficulties, there's not much applicable universally. Some "Masters" he quotes seem a little too judgmental to be enlightened spirits: "Humans just destroy. They will eventually destroy themselves." Much of their wisdom offered little new in the way of insight: "Wisdom is achieved very slowly." The methods he describes using to obtain this material don't rule out contact with less enlightened spirits, which Dr. Weiss admits at one point. So the "many masters" may not have been masters at all. He does show how past life regression can be a powerful tool in healing emotional problems and phobias. Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls by Michael Newton, Ph.D, another regression therapist, are much more in depth and informative, though they deal with life between lives more than the mechanics of reincarnation itself. If your budget calls for more bang for your buck, your money might be better spent on classic "must read" books on reincarnation: Many Mansions by Gina Cerminara & You Were Born Again To Be Together by Dick Sutphen. Two newer "must reads" are: Adventures in Reincarnation
by Brian Jamieson and Past Lives, Present Dreams : How to Use Reincarnation for Personal Growth
by Denise Linn"

Publisher: Fireside | More reviews: amazon.com

Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives

by Michael Newton

Average Rating:

"As a reader of hundreds of books on the mystical, the occult, spirituality, etc. (Robert Monroe, Jane Roberts, Castaneda, Tibetan Book of the Dead, Lobsang Rampa, Theosophy, Yogananda, Chuang-Tzu, Dion Fortune, Eckankar, etc., just to give you an idea of what I brought to reading this book), I can only say that I was ASTONISHED by this book. There are so many questions answered here for which I've never gotten satisfactory answers: for example, how suicide affects karma, why humans are so often evil (and what happens to them when they die), what the ultimate goal and purpose of life is (stated everywhere, especially in Christianity) but for some reason this is the first explanation that has made any sense to me. This description of the nature of the universe and our place within it is fully compatible with discoveries in quantum physics, is simultaneously scientific and spiritual. I experienced profound shifts while reading this book- am changed by it. I cannot recommend it enough. If you buy only one book this year, make it this one!"

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born

by Robert Schwartz

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""There is a need to create limitation, as the soul uses limitation in your realm for growth. As you experience limitedness, there is a need to overcome frustration, work within one's own parameters, and focus energy--an energy that cuts through the density in your realm and creates spaces of light and a higher vibration." - From Courageous Souls

At some point, everyone on Earth has asked "Why?" in the face of difficult circumstances. Why did my fiancé die in a car accident? Why is my mother an alcoholic? Why is my son Autistic? Why do I have cancer? Why is my brother a quadriplegic because of a diving accident? Why do some people die at the hands of serial killers or suicide bombers?

Like existential detectives, many of us try to wrap our heads around life challenges and, ultimately, find out "whodunit?" Was it because of a nasty devil wanting to afflict? Is a capricious god punishing me--or is the wheel of karma catching up? Is negative thinking the root of my illness?

What if NONE of these scenarios was the case--but, in fact, we CONTRACTED our life challenges before incarnating?

In his book Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?, author Robert Schwartz takes readers behind the veil of forgetfulness into the conversations and decisions that have taken place "between lives". Interviewing about a dozen people who have experienced loss, illness, accidents, and addictions, Schwartz explores the idea of agreements made before birth to learn and experience certain life lesson--and coming to know our true selves.

In addition, the author facilitates sessions between these individuals and several mediums. These mediums access the Akashic Records (an etheric "book of life" that records every thought, word, and action) for information on pre-birth planning sessions or "channel" messages from their spirit guides about specific agreements.

Echoing the case studies of hypnotherapist Dr. Michael Newton, author of the books Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls--as well as the children's book The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch-- Schwartz maintains that Earth is place of duality where powerful creators incarnate in order to learn through opposites. A candle surrounded by brilliant light can only experience darkness by entering it.

"Who but the most power of souls could conjure an illusion that appears real to its very creator?" he asks. While we're on the other side, we consult with members of our soul group and guides and agree to perform certain roles--all for the purpose of soul growth and experience. By incarnating on the Earth plane--being born--we enter a "river of forgetfulness", as Caroline Myss describes in her book Sacred Contracts. We forget so we can have a powerful "remembering".

If we accept that each human has contracted particular life lessons such as parenting a disabled child, losing a loved one, participating in an addiction, or experiencing an illness, then the concept of being a "victim"--either of a negligent person, system, or god--is neutralized. Even more than that, there is a sense of meaning and empowerment that enables the personality to move forward, heal, and even contribute to the well-being of others and the raising of group consciousness.

Courageous Souls parts the curtain on the great stage of life, revealing the elaborate play and agreed upon roles that humanity acts out here on Earth--all motivated by deep love and respect for one another. Schwartz writes:

"We love the souls whom we plan our lives. During our earthly existence, they may be people who complicate matters, cause us stress or worry, or even become our `enemies'. When not incarnate the estranged husband and wife, the abusive parent and neglected child, and the warring ex-business partners are loving friends. They care deeply for one another and will often reincarnate together in an effort to master lessons unfinished in previous lives."

Of course, empirical verification of the stories and channeled information relayed in Courageous Souls is impossible, but so are, ultimately, any assertions made by a sacred text, religious leader, or jaded philosopher. One thing I know for sure: ALL of us tell stories to ourselves (and others) that attempt to explain why things happen as they do. Many of those interpretations of "the facts" come from outside us, such as the doctrines of religion or the mores of a culture.

So if we're all telling stories about what we're experiencing on Earth in the attempt to explain situations or create meaning, why not tell ones that embolden, enlighten, and inspire? What is accomplished by playing the victim, wallowing in blame, or becoming entangled in mind games of "woulda, coulda, shoulda"?

What IS has already happened--and how empowering is the idea that we all are playing our roles brilliantly--and that we will embrace all the actors on the other side, congratulating them on their performance and their act of service!

If these ideas sound like the kind of reality you would like to learn more about, then I highly recommend Courageous Souls by Robert Schwartz. By allowing us, the readers, to eavesdrop into pre-birth planning sessions and post-"trauma" interviews, we are given a precious gift of comfort, peace, and meaning--urging us forward in our unique destinies with the knowledge that none is a victim...and EVERYTHING can be used for our highest good.

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)"

Publisher: Frog Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Destiny of Souls: New Case Studies of Life Between Lives

by Michael Newton

Average Rating:

"Michael Newton is one of a handful of published researchers who is adding to our knowledge of life between lives through the use of hypnosis. In coming decades, this kind of research should build and expand until we have a detailed understanding of life on the higher dimensions. In this book he continues his years of investigations, taking us further into an understanding of the soul's journey in and out of incarnation. Some topics covered in this book are (1) The various ways recently deceased souls try to make contact with those left behind, (2) How our spiritual energy is restored after a difficult incarnation or traumatic death, (3) How our between-life vocations can manifest in our earthly careers, (4) More on colors as indications of levels of attainment, (5) Spiritual names, (6) Much more on our soul groups, and how we interact between and during incarnations, (7) The "Council of Elders", a review panel of higher beings who help us gain insight on our lives just after we complete one, and just before we begin a new one, (8)How souls are "born" from higher levels into the level we spend time in between lives, (9) Extensive case studies of the "library" of past lives which souls study in between lifetimes. With Newton's work and those of similar investigators we are finally gaining an understanding of life in higher dimensions based on research and first-hand reports, rather than speculation and belief. Other than Newton's work, two other good books along this line are out of print, but generally not hard to find. One is LIFE BETWEEN LIVES (1986) by Whitton and Fisher. That book also follows the case-study approach. A second book is EXPLORING REINCARNATION (1987) by Hans Tendam. This book is a rigorous summary of the whole subject of past lives, life between lives, and the reliability of hypnosis as a tool of investigation. It's not a light read, but is the most in depth and thorough book on the subject to date, and essential reading for anyone who wishes to become well informed about it. A marvelous personal account of an accomplished "soul traveler" is THE TIGERS FANG by Paul Twitchell, whose account of the inner dimensions is remarkable."

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Only Love Is Real: A Story of Soulmates Reunited

by Brian Weiss

Average Rating:

"Only Love is Real by Brian Weiss, is the third book by this incredible author. If I could, I would rate this book with 10 stars. Although one does not have to read his previous two books to read this book, he does make references throughout, but his explanations guide the reader and one is never confused or lost. Many Lives, Many Masters and Through Time Into Healing are his previous two and both are as riveting as this book. As with his other books, I could not put this book down either. The messages imparted in this book are numerous for the deep connection of twin souls. Weiss states, "Destiny dictates the meeting of soulmates. We *will* meet them. But what we decide to do after that meeting falls in the province of choice or free will. A wrong choice or a missed chance can lead to incredible loneliness and suffering. A right choice, an opportunity realized, can bring us to profound bliss and happiness."Weiss shares the story of two of his patients relating similar past lives, and he eventually connects the two and "intervenes" to introduce them. I am sure we have all had the experience of meeting someone and just "knowing" that we know them on a much deeper level, but we can't explain it. Those that come into our lives are either ready to meet their "other half" or as Weiss put it, they are "not awakened" yet. Weiss speaks throughout the book on the meaning and value of love and indeed, "only love is real." He urges us to forget and forgive our past mistakes, to learn from them and move on - to live fully in the present and not to worry about the future. This book is one incredible, beautiful lesson in love. Weiss urges the reader to listen to one's heart, as the ego has other agendas, as do other people. "There is someone special for everyone." How does one recognize a soulmate? - Weiss states it most profoundly, "When both recognize each other, no volcano could erupt with more passion. The energy released is tremendous. Passion in a relationship cannot be artificially created . . . . . but the chemistry has to be there from the start." Oh how so very true!!! "The person may not recognize the chemistry. The attraction is definitely there but the source of chemistry is not understood. It is delusional to believe that this passion, this soul recognition and attraction will be easily found again with another person. You do not run into a soulmate every day . . .The more awakened a couple is, the more likelihood of a decision based on love. When both partners are awakened, ecstasy is within their grasp."Weiss shares the past lives of both Elizabeth and Pedro and the reader is able to see them in different lifetimes, as different sexes, yet they are always together, learning soul lessons and coming back again and again to be together. As with his previous books, messages come from Elizabeth under hypnosis, from "higher conscious masters", imparting loving and profound messages to Weiss: "Love dissolves fear. You cannot be afraid when you are feeling love. When allowed to flow freely, love overcomes all obstacles." Both of their past lives are most fascinating and the lessons learned are indeed enlightening. I have used one of Weiss' past regression tapes and they are incredible and one can "see" as he states in the book. Weiss also share with the reader, his own experiences with his soulmate and wife, Carol, and the "obstacles" that they had to over come. "Destiny is persistent" as Weiss states and as seen in this book and as can be related in our lives, it doesn't give up - we only have to listen.This book is fascinating, thought-provoking and my highlighter was in overtime in reading!!! So many, many endearing and important thoughts on love and just being. I have read all of Weiss' books and it is so hard to believe that they can get any better, but it is true!!! Reading his books, one can experience a deep sense of healing and a profound infusion of love. This is not only a book about love, but also a book about hope. This is a "must have" have book and also one that you want to share with those in your life - "Listen to your heart, to your own intuitive wisdom when deciding about a gift of destiny, such as a soulmate. Destiny will deposit its gift directly at your feet, but what you subsequently decide to do with the gift is up to you. Your heart knows what you need. Other people have other agendas."A most excellent book - I have read it three times already!"

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing | More reviews: amazon.com

On Life after Death, revised

by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Average Rating:

"I am surprised that I somehow missed reading this wonderful little book for so long. Considering the dozens of books that I've read on the topic of NDE's and of continued existence after bodily death it is remarkable that I should only encounter one of the best until last. While it is a slim volume, it covers everything of importance- and with a sincerity and enthusiasm missing in many other books.

Specifically, this is a collection of four key lectures given by Dr. Kubler-Ross: 1) Living and Dying (1982), 2) Death Does Not Exist (1977), 3) Life, Death, and Life After Death (1980), and 4) Death of a Parent (1991).

All of these lectures interweave and reinforce each other. The key concepts involve the body as a mere shell (or cocoon) that we outgrow to evolve into the next level of existence as a spirit (or butterfly.) The purpose of life on earth is to learn and grow through hard lessons and choices. And the most important lesson of all is that of unconditional love. If you can put this above materialism and ego, then your "life review" should go well. Oh yes, and nothing in this world occurs by "coincidence."

I'm inclined to prefer Dr. Kubler-Ross' words precisely because she was not an "objective", detached, observer. She studied over 20,000 accounts of NDE's, she sat at countless death beds comforting and listening to the dieing, she had an NDE herself, she was actually visited by the spirits of the dead, plus she personally experienced the state known as "cosmic consciousness." In my opinion, this gives her words the ring of truth, and a first-hand legitimacy lacking in many other records. Plus, as I read, I quickly came to see that everything she wrote completely agreed with and confirmed my own experiences and conclusions down through the years- before I ever heard of her, or even the subject. "

Publisher: Celestial Arts | More reviews: amazon.com

Regression to Times and Places (Meditation Regression)

by Brian Weiss

Average Rating:

"Brian has the perfect voice for this kind of thing. This CD is part of a series of 3. I have all 3. I love them all.

Brian is a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Medical School. Part of his private practice is in hypnotic regression therapy. Brian begins by guiding you into a very relaxing state of consciousness, then into a protective bubble of light, so you feel "safe" enough to let yourself go. He releases your mind from the time/space limitations so you can remember "everything". You then walk down a long staircase to a beautiful peaceful garden where your body goes into a deeper relaxation state so it can heal and rejuvinate. You then see a beautiful building, ascend its steps, and meet a beautiful being (spirit guide), enter the building to receive healing there, in a special room, covered in light reflecting on you through the crystals. You can even adjust/tune the crystals to direct specific colored light beams into specific body parts. This is really quite nice and if you are already familiar with energy concepts/healing with color and crystals/and advanced visualization techniques, this CD will be especially precious to you. This is an excellent treat for your inner and outer self. As you absorb the healing rays, you can ask questions of your guide and review the possible origins of your illness/problem/symptom, etc. (so you can recognize and analyze it/them and then release them). He encourages you to let go of negative emotions of fear/anger/sadness/anxiety/tension/etc. that affect your health and encourages you to feel the positive emotions of peace/love/harmony/joy. You then say goodbye to your guide and return to the garden and rest in a very peaceful state while you kind of set the healing in place. Then you awaken gently.

I usually zonk out and my subconscious takes over.) With meditation or subliminal programming CDs, I believe that they work on the subconscious level, even if you fall asleep. Even if you think that is baloney, then at least I had a very peaceful sleep. What is it the former Bionic Woman says on the Sleep Number Mattress commercials?--"recuperative sleep" or something like that. Sleep really does provide a great opportunity for your mind to help you recognize problems and consider solutions, and also to just shut down and relax. So, if you use this CD for nothing else than a good night's sleep, that alone is worth the price of the CD, especially in these high-stress times. Think of this as a mini-vacation that you can take any time for the cost of lunch or dinner.

There is a second relaxation and meditation experience where you again go deep into la-la land, first by relaxing every cell in your body and relaxing the peacefulness in your heart and filling yourself with a healing light to rid yourself of illness and restoring every cell to its perfect state. Again you go into a protective light bubble and go into a deep state of relaxation where you are beyond the space/time limitations. You return to the garden for healing and peace and go into a journey to your past through a reflective mirror. You move through the mirror to reexperience the past or the future and look for answers for your current lifetime. You are encouraged to just enjoy the experience and not worry about if it is real or not. Of course, Brian brings you back when the experience is over, to feel well rested from your mini-vacation and very peaceful.

You will likely have no problem waking up if there is ever a need to. My experience has been that you are deep enough to completely experience this mini-trip but somehow stay available to the current world if you need to be.

I recently attended a conference where Dr. Weiss was a featured speaker, along with John Holland and Candy Diaz. All 3 of them were great. That conference was actually where I bought the 3 CDs, but they are less expensive at Amazon. I continue to be very pleased with the HayHouse authors I have found. Brian Weiss is one of several.
"

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

Spiritual Progress Through Regression (The Meditation Regression)

by Brian Weiss

Average Rating:

"This is the first five star review I've written on something that has put me to sleep on numerous occasions. Dr. Weiss's voice is very soothing and the content, with a few work-arounds, easy to follow. This CD contains two sessions and uses music and ambient ocean sounds which ebb and flow appropriately under his voice. The total runtime is about 60 minutes. Remember that CD's like this are generic sessions. Dr. Weiss can get too wordy at times and/or you may find that you have gone ahead of him and just want him to keep quiet. Your experience needs to be self paced. Use a player with a remote and keep one finger on the pause button. Here is a description of program 1 and some of my reactions to it.


Both programs start with a relaxation and healing exercise. He then says, let your mind journey back in time and go deeper to a count of 10. He tells you to go down a beautiful staircase and again does another count. My mind leads me to a peaceful darkness because of the emphasis on the words "down" and "deeper", but he then describes a garden which is beautiful and light-filled and I have to pause the tape to reorient.

The garden is there to return to if anything upsets you while you do the regressions. He then asks you to go back to a happy moment in childhood. If your childhood was generally painful, I suggest that you pick something ahead of time. I found a dim memory of feeding a baby deer at a roadside park to use here.

Next he goes back to the womb and asks why you picked your parents. Pause the CD and see what comes. He says quite a few things in quick succession here, too much to maintain the previous level of serenity.

Next he asks, "How were you received into the physical world?" In response I had an unusually vivid experience. The staff who delivered me spoke little and seemed coldly efficient. I felt as if no one could relate to me and I was totally on my own. After the session I thought about this and remembered that my mother had been a much feared OB/GYN supervisor at the hospital where I was born. I'm sure they were aware of being judged and watched. This was the most important discovery I had while using this CD. I remembered having these same feelings and situations repeat often in childhood. I recently learned that research indicates that children with traumatic births can suffer numerous psychological issues. I would encourage you to take this part seriously and ask yourself if the treatment you recieved mirrors any later personality traits.

He then asks you to go through a door into your past lives or other dimensions. He describes going through the door in five steps. You may find that your vision runs well ahead of his dialog on this suggestion and need to pause again. He goes through several incarnations. I flashed on two historical settings that were quite detailed. A psychic once told me that I had held powerful governmental positions in several lifetimes (probably why I have no faith in politics now!). In both regression images I was man, one a U.S Governor from the 16 or 17 hundreds and the other a red coated British officer on a horse. Both were fleeting images of historically accurate outfits that I would not have imagined on my own.

He then describes meeting an angel and discussing how to let go of all your problems and negative feelings. The angel gives you a string of pearls, each representing a lifetime. You are told to look at each and see the life represented. The angel then shows you a screen that can broadcast images of your lives. The idea here is to give you several ways to connect with images but the dialog moves very fast and I didn't find it as useful as the earlier exercise. He ends with a meditation on our oneness with the earth that I found a bit too wordy for a meditation. He then wakes you up to a count of 10

The setting for program 2 reminded me a great deal of Jung's near death experience in which he met with a committee who was there to help him process his earthly existence. If you research "Jung and near death" you can find out more about that. "

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

Into the Light: Real Life Stories About Angelic Visits, Visions of the Afterlife, and Other Pre-Death Experiences

by John Lerma

Average Rating:

"Finally, a scientist and doctor that attempts to bridge the gap between science and spirituality. The 16 stories of individuals from all walks of life are extraordinary and uplifting. I spoke with Dr. John Lerma recently and was appalled when I found that a few of his colleaques and hospital executives attempted at coercing him to stop the book from being published. They felt that medicine had no place for scientific research that involved spirituality through the visions of the dying, as this would have terrible repercussions. I am so glad that Dr. Lerma went forth with exercising his freedom of speech so the people of the world would have an idea that there was something so incredible and loving that was occuring to literally thousands of humans on their death-beds. This book should be read by all as it will change the way you live, forgive and love."

Publisher: New Page Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Old Souls: Compelling Evidence from Children Who Remember Past Lives

by Thomas Shroder

Average Rating:

"First, I have to say that several of the reviewers have said that somewhere on the cover it was stated that this book provided PROOF of reincarnation, and they then rated this book poorly for not providing such iron-clad proof. After reading these reviews, I studied the cover once again, trying to find where it states that any proof will be given - yet, there's no such statement ANYWHERE! What it states is that they will provide "compelling evidence" - and in my opinion they have achieved this goal.

"Old Souls" discusses some of those cases suggestive of reincarnation that Dr. Ian Stephenson had investigated during his career. These cases are found all over the world, but this book tends to discuss only those found in Lebanon, India, and a few in the US. Much of the info. provided tends to be clinical in a sense, but one has to remember that Dr. Stephenson is trying to pursue this from a scientific point of view - in an effort to bring this sort of research into the mainstream.

The author, Thomas Shroder, is a journalist skeptic who followed Dr. Stephenson on the last few of his journeys. I must say that it's hard at times to read how the skeptics view the evidence, as it seems to show without a doubt the saying that believers don't need extraordinary proof, but to the skeptic, no proof is good enough. However, by the end, this skeptic was at least left wondering - not willing to deny everything he saw and heard - at least thats a start...

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in spirituality in general, and more specifically reincarnation. It provides an excellent view into the research, and how & why the skeptics tend to rip it apart."

Publisher: Simon & Schuster | More reviews: amazon.com