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Why do do many people claim to be famous?

deborah

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This is from the FAQ section above, Sunniva posted it and it is spot on.
Everybody reincarnates. Statistically it means that a certain percentage of human beings presently alive must have had a socalled 'famous past life', but according to the studies of Helen Wambauch, Ph.D. (1978) only about 10% of those, who remember past lives, can recall a 'famous' one.

As put by Karen:
That leaves a disproportionate incidence of famous past life claims among those who talk about them, as the existence of multiple claims for the same famous past life proves. And yes, it is frustrating for those who are struggling to solidify their own acceptance of the reincarnation paradigm, and those who are trying to disseminate reincarnation evidence so as to enhance public knowledge of it, as the number of famous past life claims discredits and confuses the whole idea.

Still, it can't be denied that some 'claims to fame' are real and valid. However, as implied above, 'famous past lives' is a controversial subject within reincarnation, posing difficulties to both those who claim them, and those who don't. Hopefully this thread will shed some light on some of the questions often asked.

What are 'famous past lives'? Why do people claim them? Why are people so sceptical about it? And what are you going to do if you have memories of being a famous person?

What are 'famous past lives'?
Firstly, it's important to remember that a 'famous past life' is just another incarnation in a long row of reincarnations. Fame is not a trait in your character, but an adjective based on the relative number of people who know, or knew you, and generally, history dictates who is famous and who is not. 'Famous past lives' range from royalty to super stars, from criminals to heroes. These people may not have experienced the fame when they were alive, like an artist or philosopher only being recognized post mortem, or they may have experienced every facet of the word, like Marilyn Monroe or Elvis. Some people became famous because of something they did, good or bad, but may generally have played a rather insignificant part in history. What I am attempting to illustrate is that 'fame' is many things, and will be experienced differently by different people.

Secondly, in the bigger scheme of things, famous people have no advantage in their spiritual growth just because they were famous. So basically, when researching your past lives, it's not really important whether your past incarnation was famous or not. As with any past life, what is important are the lessons learnt, or not learnt, the reasons for living that specific life, and making the choices you did. The most important thing in that person's life was most likely something within themself, or between them and their surroundings that history didn't record.

That being said, recalling a 'famous past life' does offer some advantages, the main one being that they're often much easier to research, and thus validate, than non-famous past lives. Depending on how famous the person was, the internet, libraries and book shops will hold a vast amount of information about them. BUT, be careful! It's very easy to be influenced by movies, books, paintings, lectures, etc. on that particular person and their time. Also keep a critical mind when studying historical sources. Most of history was, and still is, written with a certain political agenda that influences the way people and their achievements are portrayed. Some people are made to look better or worse than they were, fact and fiction are sometimes mixed up with an exclusion of details that would compromise the general picture.

Why are people so sceptical?
People who claim a famous past life often have to stand more scrutiny than those with non-past lives. The main reason for this was mentioned in the beginning of this thread: the disproportionate incidences of famous past life claims compared to the amount of famous people. If you search the internet you will find many people who claim to be reincarnations of e.g. Anne Boleyn, Marilyn Monroe, or Napoleon, and obviously they can't all be right.

Reincarnation is a controversial subject, even to some believers, and credibility is essential when it comes to past life memories. On this messageboard we often see people claiming a famous past life and yes, they often have to stand more scrutiny than others, because there are so many other aspects to claiming a past life than just to be interested in reincarnation, and as mentioned above, it's very easy to be influenced by all of the available information. We have to ask critical questions, because it would hurt the credibility of this forum if we just accepted any claim that was made.

Why do some people claim a famous past life if they didn't have one?
There are many different reasons why people would like others to believe that they've had a famous past life.
The following was written by Karen:
1) Misinterpretation due to ignorance of history. Hypothetical example: a woman remembers that her name was Cleopatra, and so concludes she was the Cleopatra VII of Egypt, the famous one... because she doesn't realize that Cleopatra was actually a common name in ancient Macedonia, and so she could have been any one of thousands of women by that name. Another example: a person remembers a view of a historical figure, and concludes that he was that person, rather than a friend, family member, acquaintance, or anyone who might have seen that historical figure in public.

2) Archetypal energy: a person connects psychically with a major historical event or person due to its symbolic relevance to his own life, and mistakes the experience for a past-life memory.

3) Cryptomnesia: a person mistakes the memory of seeing a historic scene in a movie/TV show, or reading a scene, for a past-life memory.

4) Conscious fraud: a person knowingly misrepresents himself as having a famous past life, for financial gain or to receive adulation. (In my experience, this is extremely rare.)

5) Delusion caused by a mental disorder that can produce grandiose claims of all sorts, for example: Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

The challenge of past life memories is that often they are subtle, fleeting, fluid, light on hard facts and hard to interpret. Most of us have a yearning to appear special, so that if something appears to suggest we were someone special in a past life, we are eager to accept that, and many people will accept it on what is, in truth, flimsy evidence.

I recommend some degree of rigor in one's standard of evidence, both for one's own claims, and when judging those of others. A view of an ancient army does not make the person who remembers it the general, he might have been a soldier, a camp-follower, an onlooker. A feeling of resonance with a picture of a historical figure might have all sorts of explanations, from one having caught a glimpse of that person in a past life, to a symbolic relevance to one's own life, to an unconscious yearning to be similar to that person. Personality or experiential similarities may simply be the result of certain personality traits and experiences being common to many people.

To make a famous past life claim when other explanations for one's experiences are equally, or more likely, is not intellectually legitimate, and discredits all true past life memories as well as the field of reincarnation study itself. Before making a famous past life claim, a person should amass sufficient evidence as to defy any other explanation. Likewise, I do not wholly recommend accepting any claim without such evidence.

Further reading
Here are some older threads with good points on famous past lives, and some of the problems that people who claim them may encounter:

Famous People


Avoiding the Acceptance Trap

Does consciousness go to what it is familiar with?
 
I had a thought about this a few days ago while contemplating the soul's abilities. Could it be that in our soul's instructions, assignments/coursework/whatever, that we can somehow co-experience happenings of someone's 'real-life' experience? If so, all fpl claims become suspect!
 
My view or idea about it is that only a minority of people ever reincarnate and that the vast majority only live once. Even a minority of those who think they reincarnate. This is seldom a popular view. But it explains the naïvete, stupidity, lack of purpose and general shoddiness of something beyond 95% of people.

No. I do not like people much. I like those that Miyamoto Musashi would refer to as 'Real Human Beings'. People of depth, courage, strength, intelligence, skill, drive, intuition and so forth. In combination. Complete humans. Not the weak or lacking.

I personally believe it works as follows: if one does something noble or otherwise good in the first life, one enters this path of reincarnation, which ultimately ends with ascension. If one keeps the contract and does well. If one does not, one does not get to walk this path to its finish. The person ceases to be. The soul returns to its source. If one proves unworthy to keep walking the road by inaction, cowardice, misdeeds, degeneracy or the like. An example would be to sell one's soul, like satanists, freemasons or others of that ilk do. If one on the other hand do the things one is supposed to, there is also a reward for it.

How else than being entirely new does one explain why most people are the way they are? I cannot believe that everybody is ancient. No way. The world would not look like this if that were the case.

Few will 'agree', I presume. Another thing I think is supremely amusing and infuriating at the same time. The supposedly equal worth of opinions. I cannot fathom why anyone would believe in any form of 'equality'. I believe there will always be a numerically small minority who are essentially Nobility, regardless if this nobility exists formally as a social class above lesser humans or not. I believe the basis for a nobility must be a warrior caste, as it was before, nearly everywhere. I do not believe in a society which separates its scholars from its warriors. Or one which has 'nobles' who are businessmen instead of warriors. Or one which does not elevate the warrior above humans who are not quite fully sentient.

This is my view. It is probably not yours. I have no need for anyone to 'agree' or not. I hope it was a breath of fresh air for someone who truly gets it.
 
Many FPL claims are the result of attention seekers looking for some sort of boost and validation from others, these days people are better off staying out of sight only doling out pieces of their experiences on a as needed bases to help avoid drawing negative attention to themselves.
 
Ritter, I disagree in a most friendly and respectful fashion.

I think the gift of life and this world to live in was given freely and unconditionally. I think there are many reasons why people don't "evolve"; soul age is one of them. I also think people don't grow for the same reasons that poverty, poor health habits are said to be reinforced through families. I think some people may just be comfortable in their rut and not want to leave or leave family members behind to seek incarnations with better circumstances.

I just think there's more going on that we can possibly comprehend, but I would wager to think that many people here, have been here for quite a while.

KenJ, I was just saying in another thread, that with access to multimedia records that did not exist until a few years ago, I'm quite surprised that we haven't seen more "famous" reincarnation cases from devout fans, impersonators etc.
 
Most of the time I think it’s kind of hard to tell. Especially if the person they claim to have been in the past is very well known, and when there’s many things written about them on the internet. I think that’s when the question “Do you have any memories that aren’t documented?” comes in. But then again, there’s also the parts on the internet about well known people that aren’t true. I’m pretty certain of some on this forum who are telling the truth. Others, not so much. I think it’s interesting when some “FPL” claimants seem to get agitated by others questioning their claim.. might say a lot. I don’t see a valid reason for constantly trying to prove who you once were, especially if one seems to be looking for others to praise them in some way.
 
Those reasons are very interesting. I agree.

Why do so many people claim to be celebrities or important people? I think all past lives, whether they are famous past lives or not, are very important. One of the main reasons: Desire to be congratulated or appreciated. Suspicions of being famous in a past life because of physical or psychological characteristics. Empathy with that person, which does not necessarily mean that you are that specific person. Empathizing with someone else's pain, or feeling a connection of ideas with someone, does not mean that you are that person.

When I discovered my famous past life, I came back again and again to see if it was true. I said, if so many people claim to be that person, why do I have such specific visions of random situations? Considering I'm not a fan of him, and his music makes me uncomfortable. It was definitely not a wonderful experience, except when I remembered happy moments with friends.

I understood that the famous term is not really relevant. I tried to analyze my failures, my accomplishments and my thoughts from that past life, like any anonymous past life. Anyway, a soul is a soul.
 
Hi All,

There are two hypotheses that have come up on the board in the past that might have some impact on this discussion.

First, memories need not be "our own" and still could be "true" first person memories. Hence, those who "think" they remember being someone else may be in perfect good faith. Of course, in some respects this undermines everything this board stands for, but I'll let someone else discuss the implications on that. The point is that first-person memories (like all other information) may be stored/recorded, etc. in some way (good ol' Akashic Record :cool:) and may be tapped into by certain people for unknown reasons. Memories might also be deliberately implanted. I don't recall the book, but I do seem to remember reading somewhere that newbies get some initial memory "implants" or "grafts" so that they are better prepared to meet the exigencies of the physical. A "gift of knowledge" in the form of memories might also be given to a particular incarnate for certain purposes of guidance, calling, etc. People here can probably think up some of their own reasons for such anomalous "memories".

Second, there have been past discussions in terms of the huge explosion of world population over the last 150 years, with accompanying remarks on the fact that the over abundance of new bodies may be getting filled by "new" or at least less experienced souls. So, that might also impact the question in some way.

Cordially,
S&S
 
Wish I could dismiss my memories as pure fabrication but they relate to childhood and lifelong deliberating phobias and habits that cannot be explained away by imprinted memories. I wasn’t a famous pl though. Maybe that’s another indicator of a past life — soul wounds. Anyone can have memories real or imagined. Soul wounds on the other hand shape the outset of an entire life, giving much more gravity to a past life claimant than the shallower aspects of a visual memory.
 
I agree landsend. Soul wounds are a fine indicator to me of a past life. I doubt I'd be wounded by a 'downloadable' memory.

Also I have a bullethole shaped birthmark. If that's a manifestation from a past life I doubt I'd have it for any of the reasons stated in this topic as to why someone would claim an FPL other than the fact its real.
 
Agreed, a plausible past life claim has to be multi faceted. I should also imagine that anyone with a plausible famous past life would be intially in denial and it would have an enormous impact on that persons life.
 
Agreed, a plausible past life claim has to be multi faceted. I should also imagine that anyone with a plausible famous past life would be intially in denial and it would have an enormous impact on that persons life.

It took me years until I had any kind of breakthrough. I was in active denial though, even through the proof was sitting right there, staring me in the face. I think piercing the barrier to accessing real memories and emotion is much harder than one would assume. I think, if it would be easier, choosing to live in denial would be preferable.

I've mentioned elsewhere that I don't think most "famous" lives were filled with joy. I think overwhelmingly, that too often, a majority of any past life memories are rooted in pain and suffering. I also tend to have doubts about claims that start off with "I knew it because I always loved XYZ". Having a preference for something is a good indicator or sign post to what you may be looking for, but it's circumstantial and not something I would consider a validation without taking other factors into consideration.
 
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Agreed, a plausible past life claim has to be multi faceted. I should also imagine that anyone with a plausible famous past life would be intially in denial and it would have an enormous impact on that persons life.
"an enormous impact " - Maybe not so much. Remember fame is fickle, it need not imply anything beyond the accident of being caught in a beam of light for a moment. Perhaps the advantage is plentiful documentation (including obscure details which trickle out, a drop at a time), and the disadvantage is being unable to share the story, and being unable to correct the mistaken ideas or 'facts' which also get put in the record. But in itself it could mean as much or as little as any other reincarnation recall. No matter what went before, there is still today to be lived, on its own terms.
 
I would think that likely landsend. I myself was in denial for months, then bargaining then acceptance.

You see from my perspective I was just fighting for love. I didn't consider anything I was doing to be any great shakes.

One thing discovering an FPL did for me was to allow me to view myself as others viewed me. I was just a bloke, suddenly I had to deal with legend and what I realised from that coupled with my memories is that I'm still just another bloke.

I don't have talents, I have practice IMO.

I don't ever remember going to the toilet in my pls but if I did that would show me for what I am...human. Just another creature on this journey. I've read many accounts of FPL claimants online and many of them don't seem to contain the spit and sawdust of a life lived. Many seem to be in awe of their claims. I myself ain't in awe of my past selves because I remember the man not the legend. I would expect something similar from genuine FPL claims. Just my opinion of course.
 
I would think that likely landsend. I myself was in denial for months, then bargaining then acceptance.

You see from my perspective I was just fighting for love. I didn't consider anything I was doing to be any great shakes.

One thing discovering an FPL did for me was to allow me to view myself as others viewed me. I was just a bloke, suddenly I had to deal with legend and what I realised from that coupled with my memories is that I'm still just another bloke.

I don't have talents, I have practice IMO.

I don't ever remember going to the toilet in my pls but if I did that would show me for what I am...human. Just another creature on this journey. I've read many accounts of FPL claimants online and many of them don't seem to contain the spit and sawdust of a life lived. Many seem to be in awe of their claims. I myself ain't in awe of my past selves because I remember the man not the legend. I would expect something similar from genuine FPL claims. Just my opinion of course.

Agreed, Jim... feel the same way about my PL, though not famous. There is no glory in it is there. At the end of the day we have to live with our memories and trauma and try and get on somehow.
 
Wish I could dismiss my memories as pure fabrication but they relate to childhood and lifelong deliberating phobias and habits that cannot be explained away by imprinted memories. I wasn’t a famous pl though. Maybe that’s another indicator of a past life — soul wounds. Anyone can have memories real or imagined. Soul wounds on the other hand shape the outset of an entire life, giving much more gravity to a past life claimant than the shallower aspects of a visual memory.
I've said something like this. or related to it, though not necessarily on this forum. Those who consider, especially trying to debunk cases of mediumship and of reincarnation, propose that information could be acquired by psychic means, for example from the minds of the living. Where there is documented detail such as in written records, or even in physical remains such as buildings or places, invoking say clairvoyance or precognition in order to explain these things away. The great irony of course is that those same debunkers will on every other occasion deny that clairvoyance, precognition and other psychic abilities even exist.

However, my own position is that reincarnation is not about facts, snippets of information. It is about the emotional impact, the way it shapes our lives, and more importantly how there is a continuity of something deep in our being. To live is to be. Reincarnation recall is a recognition of a continuity of that state of being, and all its associated pains and troubles, hopes and joys. Because my recall came in stages, but was unlocked within me as a young adult, it felt like both a state of release, a freedom, but also a picking up and being burdened with troubles and issues from a previous existence. In many ways this was crippling, the expectation at that stage of our life is that we make our way in the world, set out on some path whether education or employment and so on, to build a future. I found myself in a situation where those things of this current life seemed trivial distractions. The things which were within me from the past were stronger, richer, more overwhelming in their impact than anything in this current life. And yet people want to explain this as clairvoyance, or as something overheard or read long ago? Those types of 'explanation' don't even address the question, since it is not about facts or information, it is about our inner being.
 
I've said something like this. or related to it, though not necessarily on this forum. Those who consider, especially trying to debunk cases of mediumship and of reincarnation, propose that information could be acquired by psychic means, for example from the minds of the living. Where there is documented detail such as in written records, or even in physical remains such as buildings or places, invoking say clairvoyance or precognition in order to explain these things away. The great irony of course is that those same debunkers will on every other occasion deny that clairvoyance, precognition and other psychic abilities even exist.

However, my own position is that reincarnation is not about facts, snippets of information. It is about the emotional impact, the way it shapes our lives, and more importantly how there is a continuity of something deep in our being. To live is to be. Reincarnation recall is a recognition of a continuity of that state of being, and all its associated pains and troubles, hopes and joys. Because my recall came in stages, but was unlocked within me as a young adult, it felt like both a state of release, a freedom, but also a picking up and being burdened with troubles and issues from a previous existence. In many ways this was crippling, the expectation at that stage of our life is that we make our way in the world, set out on some path whether education or employment and so on, to build a future. I found myself in a situation where those things of this current life seemed trivial distractions. The things which were within me from the past were stronger, richer, more overwhelming in their impact than anything in this current life. And yet people want to explain this as clairvoyance, or as something overheard or read long ago? Those types of 'explanation' don't even address the question, since it is not about facts or information, it is about our inner being.

The impact of my past life also rocked the foundations of my world. Why has this happened? I ask daily. It's like I've been awakened and now can see things from two perspectives, current life perspective, past life me perspective. I relate a lot to what you have said there Speedwell. Famous past lives would have a huge impact, and I can imagine most incarnating famous people would want the blessed mask of anonymity.
 
Hi All,

Lots of good posts since I last checked in! But to be honest, I think we are all going to have our doubts in particular cases. For myself, I generally just have a feeling about certain . . . well, posters in this area. Others, not much. Some, not at all.

When I look at why I have these types of reactions, I can see a variety of factors. First, I think I make unconscious judgments about whether I am hearing the nitty-gritty sound of real life memories. For example, Li La has been talking about two past lives. They are not in the least famous, but they have the unmistakable feel of real life. To me this means that they are virtually free of glamour, but full of the sense of real-life struggles, tragedies and joys. Jim, Benjamin, Totoro, Tanker, and many others certainly pass the nitty-gritty test.

Second, there are the inner and outer scars as a clue. Once again, many of the people on this thread who have FPLs also bear inner scars (as aptly put "soul wounds") they are seeking to overcome. Some, like Jim, can point to physical scars as well. These types of scars may be some of the surest signs of a true memory for the famous as well as the un-famous.

Third, there is the glamour factor (already briefly mentioned). This is the exact opposite and always sets off my alarm bells, but the real question here is glamour rather than merely fame. And, it goes without saying that glamour may mean different things to different people and in different cultures. I am always very cautious about pop-culture glamour, and find myself somewhat surprised at the number of deceased rock stars that show up here. Also, for some, there may be the exact opposite of glamour in its usual sense. So, I also tend to be a bit suspicious of PL serial killers. However, glamour and fame have a lot to do with what culture you come from. So, Totoro is off the hook. Not only does Totoro's PL as a Chinese princess pass the nitty-gritty test in terms of its painful issues and alcoholism, but both of his remembered PLs are not the type of people that anyone in his native culture would usually know about (fame) or gravitate towards as glamorous.

Fourth, there is the maturity factor. I have to admit that I am much less likely to be totally convinced by someone who comes across as immature when they are talking about a past life that is glamorous or infamous.

Having said all of that, I don't necessarily disbelieve anyone. Famous people and glamorous people also reincarnate. (I'm not quite as sure about the baddest of baddies). However, I reserve the right to be more convinced by some than by others.

Cordially,
S&S
 
Certainly, the theme of famous singers, for example, is recurrent in reincarnation pages. With a friend we talk about this.

You can see pictures of many singers who look like you. In this case, I will give the example of the singer Bjork. Let's suppose that one day you start watching videos or images of Bjork without knowing the specific year of her career or the date of those photographs. If you see a similarity, you can say "Wow, maybe I was her in my past life," but then you discover that... Bjork is alive!

Why did you think that in your past life you could be her? Physical or emotional similarities. Among other personal reasons of each person.

Something similar happens with famous singers, famous actors, or celebrities in general. If many people think of themselves when they see some old photograph of a singer who is alive, imagine how it is with a dead singer. You know, benefit of the doubt. The benefit of the doubt can be very deceiving.

That's why I was surprised when in my auto-hypnosis sessions I found a famous past life. I had no emotional connection with the singer. In my mind I wanted to be someone else. When I started searching, searching, and searching in that past life, I ended up depressed, with feelings of guilt, and a desire to return to do things differently (That also happens to me with anonymous past lives!) Glory and fame... actually, I prefer anonymity.

This is an interesting thread. I like to read different perspectives.
 
Hi S&S.

Like you I reserve the right to be convinced.

I have to be honest...nine times out of ten when I come across an FPL claim I think "Here we go again". I'm deeply cynical about FPL claims more so than other claims..but I'm still willing to hear people out. I know exactly what its like not to be believed.

I remember in my misspent youth, when I was experimental, feeling a connection to Jim Morrison. I think many claims are influenced by an affinity for a dead celebrity's ( but not all ) and that colours their judgement about possible reincarnation.

Turns out I wasn't Jim Morrison, I was someone else ( also Morrison was a pretty selfish person unlike me ).

I think the truth of a claim is in the details. Again and again on this forum I've pointed to synchronous details of my pls, particularly my last one, habits tactics whatever. Things that remain the same or even dates that add up...and on and on.

I think its like anything. Can a claimant present a book of evidence? Whether validations or synchronicities or other reincarnated soul group members etc.

To me most fpl claimants don't feel believable but I realise my claims may not seem believable to some people so I may be wrong.

My issue with having an FPL is its easy for people to assume your suffering grandiose delusions. Once a person thinks your a nutjob all the evidence in the world won't change that. There's a barrier between reincarnationists and non believers in this regard even with average pls, that's amplified when one claims an FPL. It can affect ones place in the general reincarnation community.
 
I also felt a connection to Jim Morrison, in fact. I like The Doors, so it's understandable.

Personally, I could tell many things in the memoirs section, but by choice I decided that those exclusive memories would be that: Exclusive. I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing EVERYTHING. There are people who would, but not me. When I posted my first thread in this forum, I didn't want to prove anything to anyone, I just asked for help because of my regrets. I wanted to overcome that, and many people responded kindly. They helped me a lot! However, I believe that if you claim to be someone famous in your past life, you must be sure that you are, and not just on the basis of similarities or empathy. More than to prove something to someone, to prove to yourself that those memories are true and can help you overcome some trauma. Famous past lives are a bit complicated, even if it seems the opposite. People are free to believe or not. As S&S said:

Having said all of that, I don't necessarily disbelieve anyone. Famous people and glamorous people also reincarnate. (I'm not quite as sure about the baddest of baddies). However, I reserve the right to be more convinced by some than by others.
S&S

I agree.
 
Hi Thyme. I was unaware of reincarnation as a reality when I felt a connection to Morrison but reviewing my life I think my first awareness of reincarnation came from another dead rock star.

I was listening the Jimi Hendrix's Axis: Bold As Love one day when I was about fifteen and I perceived in my mind that he had always been there. I perceived his lives lived. I dismissed it as imagination at the time but thinking back on it now it seems that his music opened me up to a higher state of awareness. I'm not saying that I know who Hendrix was, it was just an impression, but sometimes music can lead one to some truth.

Like you I don't share everything. I just share what's relevant to the various topics. I do corelate information but that's as much from habit as it is from a desire to be believed. I love gathering information....I always have.

As for memories, there's many a time where I've doubted my sanity but I've always consistently found validations. If what is going on in my head is consistent with reality what does that mean really? I'm obsessive though and there certain aspects of memories I haven't been able to validate because those details are lost to history for one reason or another. Yet even then I find nothing to contradict those aspects.

I think most reincarnationists doubt themselves at times. Personally I was genuinely stunned by my pls. I never expected to be a warmongerer. I had hoped to have been an artist or something...but I'm not the type of man who is an insecure attention seeker. I think that's the most offensive judgement that I can be accused of. It would be much better to be considered mad than weak for me.
 
Another marker of past life memories not highlighted here are intimate memories that only family members would know. Some of my memories confirmed by living family members were the most convincing evidence I came across that my memories were past life memories and not fabrications.
 
As for memories, there's many a time where I've doubted my sanity but I've always consistently found validations. If what is going on in my head is consistent with reality what does that mean really? I'm obsessive though and there certain aspects of memories I haven't been able to validate because those details are lost to history for one reason or another. Yet even then I find nothing to contradict those aspects.
This is something I can relate to.

Years ago, I had a surge of interest in the subject of past lives, and who I might have been, perhaps sometime in my late teens, early twenties. When I fortuitously, it seemed, pieced it all together, everything, right from earliest childhood up to that time was suddenly explained, it felt right.

And then other things intervened, eventually I found myself busy, both working and socially, and the subject of past lives was almost forgotten. Certainly I didn't dwell on it, and where it intruded into my current life, I just took things for granted, without actually considering the details.

But in recent years I've been much less busy, and as much out of idle curiosity as anything, I revisited the details, wondering whether I'd been mistaken all those years ago. In the intervening years, the internet was built, other people had been busy changing the tools and information available. What I found through this entirely new resource was yet more confirmations. I've always been wary of attaching too much weight to some correlations which I might find after the initial identification of a specific past life. I concentrate on things from roughly the first twenty years of my life, before there was any chance of contamination of the record. And yet, putting that together with new findings discovered via the internet. There are still more correlations, every so often a new piece clicks neatly into place.

The question of whether I was losing my sanity, was one I asked myself from the outset.To some extent this is still a question I ask. But there is such a consistent pattern of details, over so many years, decades of this current life, that there seems no reason to doubt. This is perhaps one of the problems particularly of identifying with a known figure, identification as an untraceable unknown person lost in the mists of time might cause less doubt.

As for remaining anonymous, that applies to most of my life, even though I'm no-one of note in this life, I rarely, in fact I might say never, use my real name online. Perhaps I'm just mistrustful of technology, even ordinary people can find themselves nowadays trending on social media for the most trivial of reasons, deserved or undeserved. I think for me even the positive side of such publicity is something I avoid. Perhaps I had my fill, there's simply no need to draw attention this time, not even for accomplishments or things of the present.
 
Your lucky to have had contact with your past life family landsend. I haven't. That family is prominent anyway so I wouldn't approach them. I have gained validations from personal insights of theirs though, just not in person...in print.
 
Like you Speedwell I don't attach much weight to correlations after I realised who I had been...but they are interesting just the same. Besides, since remembering reincarnation I have changed. I was much more like my pl self before I remembered. That's handy though, because it means that most things I find out are uncontaminated by my post reincarnation experience. I don't attach current weight to my pl because I'm concious of it. Sometimes I'd say or do things reminiscent of my pl self but I do wonder if reincarnation knowledge has coloured my judgement so I don't mention them usually.

It is all about the details isn't it. Sometimes I expect to realise I am nuts only to have details shine a light on the seeming reality of my reincarnation experiences. Memories are the real meat and potatoes IMO...but the correlations and similarities are still interesting. It builds a larger picture IMO. What it all adds up to though, is unique to each person.
 
Yes Jim it's all about memories. When I say 'correlations' I may or may not be talking of memories. Some are so specific that they leave no room for doubt. Others are things like attitude and reaction to various things, which are more fuzzy, but fit very well, in fact some of the strange reactions I had when I was just starting school as an infant, about five years old, or a little after, were so peculiar that they would be absurd without some sort of explanation, it's funny how it is the conventional explanations which are outrageous, while a past-life memory is simple and straightforward.

As for things after I'd found my past life. I was in no great hurry, but after many years, I visited a town where I may have lived for a while. Mostly it was a festive occasion, a warm late summer day, crowds of tourists (not related to my past life, only to the town) and a happy atmosphere. But there were a few strange incidents, for a long while I thought of them as just one more traveller's tale. But now, with hindsight it seemed they were an almost theatrical re-staging entirely spontaneously, with unwitting participants, of past-life incidents. But this time, with a certain casual unimportance, I see how they reflected the events and emotions attached to that location.It does make me think that many events in our lives are somehow staged in this way. I think you've described some things which might be in that category.
 
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Yea Speedwell, thats what I meant by correlations. Events repeating themselves, souls sharing similar relationships and so on. Some of them I remember while others I stumbled upon while searching for validation. That's why I separated correlation from pl memory, because they aren't always the same thing.

Life is certainly a divine comedy IMO.
 
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