Hi milkdrops,
But in all I dont mean to pee in anybodys pool here but I think its highly unlikely past life memories or events are likely to trigger any recollections in dreams.
You might want to check into some research and consider doing a little reading on the subject of dreams.
Dr. Ian Stevenson has collected many cases of past life recall, many of which involve spontaneous memories in both waking consciousness and in dreams.
The Dreamer's Way has a lot of interesting information about all types of dreams, including past life deams. Here's an excerpt:
"...there is ample evidence of past-life content in dreams in the literature of scientific investigations into reincarnation. In many such cases, dreams have provided factual information previously unknown to the dreamer that can be validated, such as information about a place or even family members from a previous life." -- Rosemary Ellen Guiley Ph.D.
Past Lives, Present Dreams by Denise Linn is also a good resource.
Have you heard of Jenny Cockell? Hers is a famous case of spontaneous past life dreaming. The details she received were so specific she was able to locate the surviving children of her past self, Mary Sutton. The children confirmed intimate details that Jenny gave them -- that no one else could have possibly known. Those details -- came in dreams.
Well it may be possible but for the majority of us these bizarre and often violent dreams are a biproduct of our imaginations. Also possibly from thoughts concerning TV programs or movies we might have seen lately.
Doubtful when the dream details are historically accurate -- unlike many of the movies and shows on television. And what about the countless number of children's cases of past life recall -- that involve dreams and night terrors? Highly unlikely that small children are exposed to many of the things they speak about in those cases.
Here's an interesting link to a paper written by Dr. Antonia Mills
Nightmares in Western Children: An Alternative Interpretation
You also might enjoy the story of an adult with a recurring nightmare called
Cindy Night Eyes
Both of the above articles plus many others can be found in the library on
Carol Bowman's website
Stay open-minded and do a little reasearch and reading -- you might be surprised
Ailish