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Past life regression (PLR) is a process that appears to be able to retrieve memories of previous lives for some people. This can be achieved by a process of hypnosis, however, some processes use meditation techniques.

Advocates of past life regression believe in reincarnation and some claim that the experiences from previous lives can carry over and affect a person's current life. Past Life Regression is commonly used by hypnotists and hypnotherapists. The validity of past life regression is challenged by skeptics and scientists alike. There have been several cases in which certain memories claimed by others have been substantiated beyond resonable doubt. As with many related fields, past life regression is not without its crackpots. For every one unexplainable memory that proves itself there are also several reincarnated Merlin's, Alexander the Great's, and King Arthur's.

Contents 1 Past life therapy 2 New Age 3 Criticism 4 See also 5 Notes 6 Bibliography 7 External links

Past Life Therapy (PLT) utilizing clinical hypnotherapy/ de-hypnosis allows unconscious experiences from past life traumas or emotionally charged events to become fully conscious. Past Life Therapy aims to resolve any unconscious, survival-based scripts that could be negatively affecting one’s present health, behaviors, or quality of life. PLT can allow for a more thorough resolution since it gives the mind permission to locate past life sources affecting present day challenges or obstacles. PLT can uncover patterns and unconscious dialogue from many lifetimes of trauma or confusion associated with an event; individuals often re-create similar experiences unconsciously as an attempt to complete or heal an unresolved past life experience.

It is suggested by New Age therapists for personal growth and healing of people with psychological or physical problems. Among the popular new age figures who teach and use past life regression techniques are Barbara Brennan and Ken Page from the United States, and Dr. John Plowman from the United Kingdom.

Skeptics claim that these memories are false and that they are purely the result of imagination, confabulations or induced false memories. ^[1] Professor Ian Stevenson, the famous past life researcher, has concerns about hypnotic regression to previous lives. [1]

Dr. Jim Tucker also has reservations, and says:

" Even if people could gain from exploring their past lives, little evidence exists to support using hypnotic regression to do so. Many hypnotists can place subjects under hypnosis and get them to recall apparent memories from the past, often with great detail and emotion. The hard part comes in trying to verify that these 'memories' are events that actually happened. In many cases the subject has appeared to remember a life from ancient times, so determining whether it actually occurred is impossible." (Tucker, 2005, p.225)

• Channeling
• Cryptomnesia
• Elizabeth Loftus
• False Memory Syndrome Foundation
• Recovered memory therapy
• Reincarnation
• Reincarnation research
• Repressed memory
• Simulated reality
• Spirituality
• Roger Woolger
• Xenoglossy

• Tucker, Jim B., (2005). Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives, ISBN 0-312-32137-6

• "Is it possible to recall past lives through hypnosis?" - Cecil Adams, from The Straight Dope
• "Can Past Life Regression help?" - Dr John Plowman
• Concerns about hypnotic regression to previous lives
• How to run Past Life Regressions

Past Life Therapy Center