Reincarnation is an ancient belief that dates back thousands of years. Many religions believe that we don't walk the Earth just once, but that we are reborn time after time. Past life regression explores our memories of previous lives. Hypnosis induces an altered state of consciousness, which can bring out "memories" buried deep in the mind and make them open to suggestion. Hypnotism is used during past life regression to put the person in a trance-like state in an effort to take them back through their subconscious to the time before their present life.
Often, people that undergo regression are able to recall specific details about places and events that happened long before they were born. Their personality, facial expression and voice may change; they may speak like a child or with a strange accent or sometimes in a foreign language they claim not to have known when they are awake. There often seems to be no logical way to explain the subject's past life memories, but there are many theories surrounding the subject.
Some people believe that we are reborn many times and these are genuine memories that are released from the subconscious under hypnosis. Another theory is that we inherit genetic memories, suggesting that what is experienced during regression is not our own previous life, but events that involved our ancestors. It's also suggested that while a person is in a trance state, a spirit uses them as a medium.
Sceptics claim that regression can be explained more scientifically. Cryptomnesia, for example, is the extraordinary ability to recall detailed information about something heard or seen even for the briefest moment. These memories are stored in the subconscious until they are released during hypnosis. Another explanation offered is that past lives are products of the imagination, perhaps stimulated by early childhood memories or suggested by the person conducting the regression.
One of the most famous cases of past life regression is that of Virginia Tighe, from Colorado. In 1952, while under hypnosis, she claimed to recall a previous life as Bridey Murphy, a woman who lived in Ireland during the 19th century. Virginia spoke with an Irish accent and even sang Irish folk songs popular at the time Bridey was supposed to have lived. She talked in detail about Bridey's family, where she lived and when she died. After Virginia's therapist published a book about Tighe's life as Bridey, journalists flocked to Ireland to verify her story. However, although the general details were consistent with her memories, no record could be found of Bridey or her family.
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