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Disbelieving Friends & Family Members who dream of past lives

Mere Dreamer

Senior Registered
I'm writing about this here since I can't talk about this with my mom, who is a devout Christian and would worry too much. Feel free to add your own stories if you see clear signs of vivid past life associations confusing your reincarnation-resistant family members.

Mom is constantly dreaming about elements I associate with WWI or WWII in general. I'm being very general because that part of history has never fascinated me even though it is everywhere. (If I was alive back then, I was a child in a relatively peaceful area of the world.)

As long as I can remember my mom has talked about nightmares of German soldiers coming to get her.

She will always get this puzzled look on her face and say, "I'm not sure why I dreamed about it so vividly, because the war was already over when I was a child, and it's not like I was exposed to much news or local talk that would make me worry about it." (They lived out in an extremely rural farming area in Canada.)

The reason I started this thread is because she told me she vaguely remembers that last night she had a dream about being in a tense situation in a submarine. "It was really an uncomfortable dream. I don't like the idea of being that far underwater at all, but I'm not sure why I'd dream about it."

I want to tell her she was probably a soldier who was attacked by German soldiers, and who spent some time in a submarine in her past life, but somehow I don't think that would be a good thing for our relationship.

coffee So I'm getting it off my mind here. *grin* Thanks for the space to vent! :rolleyes:
 
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I would encourage her to write her dreams down, maybe a journal or notebook. Ask her open ended questions. Did she get a name, etc. Don't say anything about past lives. At the beginning of WWI U-boats would have the people get off the ship before they sank it. I don't know if they did this in WWII. It's possible they could have taken the crew of a cargo ship on board the U boat, but there were not be enough room for passengers of a ocean liner. In WWI the U boats operated out of a port in Austria. After they lost the war, this area was given to Italy. Her comment that the Germans were coming after them makes me think she was not German.
 
Mere Dreamer said:
I'm writing about this here since I can't talk about this with my mom, who is a devout Christian...
It's a shame that she's not open to this. The truth is that her bible was altered by the Council of Nicea to remove all reference to reincarnation. Prior to that, it was a common 'thing'. It appears that the rulers of the day wanted to keep control of the ignorant masses and if these ignorant masses felt they'd have another chance to 'get it right', that would then make it difficult for them to control with fear. And look what we have now!


Without getting into the whole religious thing, the facts are (1) the bible has unknown authors and (2) the authors' agenda was unknown. The ONLY known fact about that text is that it was altered by the Council of Nicea for the purpose I mentioned above. Yet people don't want to know about that, and continue to build their lives around a text that is KNOWN to have been altered. :::shaking myhead::: I will never understand that mind set.


How old is your mother? If she's not too old or if she's not a real fundamentalist, possibly she'd be interested in learning a bit more about her text and perhaps then, once she's eased into that, she'd be more open to a past life interpretation of her dreams.


At some point, though, when they're too old and not open to any change in their lives, it's a lost cause to give them new information. My Dad died last year at age 95 and he was set in his ways 40 years prior. My mom died the year before that at 86 and she was always open to new ideas.
 
Hi Meredreamer,


You could speak to your mother by saying that dreams are messages often presented in a symbolic way and that she should search for the message in them that would bring healing to certain fears or anxieties that she may have.


If she can view her pl experience only as a 'dreamed scenario' that may lead to emotional healing, she may be able to accept it better than being faced with believing in reincarnation.


Bees
 
Susan said:
How old is your mother? If she's not too old or if she's not a real fundamentalist, possibly she'd be interested in learning a bit more about her text and perhaps then, once she's eased into that, she'd be more open to a past life interpretation of her dreams.
My parents know the Bible and its history better than most people. They have translated nearly the whole thing into a language that didn't have the Bible yet, and are always studying theology because they translate theological books and articles all the time. Basically, their level of expertise is what makes the conversation virtually impossible.


We talk about dreams when she is willing, but since she is averse to the idea of "dreams and visions" as anything other than random events, it's not easy to discuss what they might mean to her. I'll keep the more possible suggestions in mind, in case it comes up again. :thumbsup:
 
Ohhh gosh, I know how that one goes. Sort of frustrating to sit there and just watch them be dismissive over something which to us seems like a perfect example of a reincarnation phenomenon!


While I don't have this issue with my family, since my parents are spiritual and have their own past life memories and we have some great conversations, I'mreminded immediately by your story about one of my friends.


We met online, actually over a WWII discussion, and despite just talking over email were pretty much instant best friends. We actually keep two emails going, one about life and normal talk and the other about WWII. They exhibit a lot of the emotion and the exact same sort of feelings that I did before regression when I was so caught up in my pl mess. I mean, we actually met over a 'WWII depression' thread for cripes sake. Not only do we have the same feelings, we actually share almost the exact same interest in the era.


So I'm sitting here thinking about how obvious this is... But this friend of mine isn't religious at all, very atheistic. I brought up possibility of reincarnation once, just a little 'Hey, what do you think about ...?' at a good time, but it was ignored.


I think you're right MD, for the majority of opportunities it really isn't worth bringing up to try and change someone's mind. Of course to us it seems so obvious and maybe we could even help them, but they have their own idea of truth and won't change their mind until they see it for themselves. Not like that couldn't happen, but it isn't worth wrangling over and damaging a relationship.


After my friend ignored my question, I wasnt really surprised. Not interested in going on about my experience to someone who doesn't consider the concept of reincarnation valid. I'm not interested in being pushy, nobody likes when other folks push their religion when we're not having it, right? So I just let my friend be, and when they're telling me we need to travel to Germany and see such-and-such together, I just get to roll my eyes and be a friend. I might think I know what's going on there, but who am I to try and discard someone else's worldview? Someday, they might come to me with 'Hey, I think this might be...' or be ready to reach out with a more open mind. When that day comes, I'll be there in a blink.


I'm pretty interested to see how folks here have managed to have that conversation with family of different beliefs. Or, are those conversations generally avoided?
 
Susan said:
The truth is that her bible was altered by the Council of Nicea to remove all reference to reincarnation. Prior to that, it was a common 'thing'. It appears that the rulers of the day wanted to keep control of the ignorant masses and if these ignorant masses felt they'd have another chance to 'get it right', that would then make it difficult for them to control with fear. And look what we have now!
I think this is debatable - and not nessearlly a 'truth' or 'fact.' I heard this rumor myself (on the Internet) over a decade ago and have researched it myself. I think it has been proven there were many sects or 'branches' of beliefs that called them selves "Christian" but were not recognized by the official "Catholic Church" Fathers. As far as the official Church is concerned - there is absolutely no evidence to support the claim that reincarnation was 'suppressed' from existing texts at that time. .

  • A number of erroneous views have been stated regarding the council's role in establishing the biblical canon. In fact, there is no record of any discussion of the biblical canon at the council at all. First Council of Nicaea: Misconception - Biblical Cannon
  • Many claim that one of the original Church Fathers (Origen) taught reincarnation. Origen is on record stating his firm opposition to what we consider 'reincarnation.' Early Christiainity and Reincarnation.
  • Fifth Ecumenical Council of Constantinople: Many abnormal views became associated with Origen, and the 15 anathemas attributed to the council condemn a form of apocatastasis along with the pre-existence of the soul, animism (a heterodox Christology), and a denial of real and lasting resurrection of the body.As a result of this condemnation, the writings of Origen supporting his teachings in these areas were destroyed. They were either destroyed outright, or translated with the appropriate adjustments to eliminate conflict with orthodox Christian doctrine.


So, it was Origen's writings that were either destroyed or suppressed and what has survived clearly shows the Origen didn't support reincarnation as we know of it today.


Sincerely,


DKing
 
Spatz said:
I'm pretty interested to see how folks here have managed to have that conversation with family of different beliefs. Or, are those conversations generally avoided?
My family and friends from earlier in life were/are all varying forms of fundamentalist. I can't imagine bringing it up to them. They have a whole continent worth of ideas to travel through before they'd be able to do anything other than wonder whether I'm possessed.


I've talked about it with many of my more recent friends, and it's so surprising to me how many of them were actually very understanding or had even considered the idea themselves already.


I usually just tell them I have been practicing visualized prayer, and that I did an interesting experiment with perspective-changing results. Then I describe whichever of my regression experiences I think would interest them most.


The ones who only listen without really wanting to get into it tend to a little more rigid theologically (or don't know me quite as well) even though they are obviously the more open-minded sort generally or it would have never come up to begin with.


But the fact that most of them are interested and willing to discuss it as a philosophical question or even as a potential reality has been fun.
 
Spatz said:
Someday, they might come to me with 'Hey, I think this might be...' or be ready to reach out with a more open mind. When that day comes, I'll be there in a blink.
I'm pretty interested to see how folks here have managed to have that conversation with family of different beliefs. Or, are those conversations generally avoided?
When I go to funerals or memorial services and know that the deceased was either an atheist or fundamentalist I picture them in my mind and telepathically ask them, "Are you surprised you're still here?" I want to let them know that I know they are there watching their own funeral. Sometimes they answer me in a week or two! :)
 
I have a friend with the same issue. She often dreams of being a child in the rubble of a bombed WWII city, crying because she can't find her mother. Soldiers come and 'get her' which is very scary for her.


I've told her about my own experiences and she doesn't exactly believe or not believe me. But, somehow the idea that this recurring dream might be her own past life just won't sit too well with her.


She also suffers from schizophrenia. She takes medication for it and it's mostly under control. But once in a while, especially when she gets stressed, she hears voices shouting 'zeig heil' which is pretty weird. I once asked her why she thinks this would be and she suggested that what it 'sort of reminds her of' is being a child in school in Germany in WWII and being taught to stand up and salute, and shout 'zeig heil' which she didn't like doing. I'm convinced that this must be related to a past life trauma of some kind.


I don't know if it's got anything to do with the schizophrenia, or is completely unrelated. But if people were routinely treated for past life trauma, I'm sure a lot of social and psychological ills could be mended or at least made a bit better.
 
tanguerra said:
I don't know if it's got anything to do with the schizophrenia, or is completely unrelated. But if people were routinely treated for past life trauma, I'm sure a lot of social and psychological ills could be mended or at least made a bit better.
I think within the next 50-100 years psychology is going to go through a revolution, after the current scientific materialists die off.
 
I have a real close friend who had a dream recently that she was hanging out with Bing Crosby and it sounded to me like More than a Dream...the thing is- she and my other close friends know about my belief in reincarnation even though they don't believe in it themselves (despite that fact that their religious book was altered by some random people back in 300something which someone else mentioned in this thread)


Like, I'm not about to go off acting like they all have to believe in it because that's just foolish.


Lately I've actually had dreams of playing with kids in some yard in a completely different neighborhood then where I live in this life, and I knew the kids I was playing with..and I see myself pretty much close to the age I am now, and it looks like the 1980s clothing wise. (I should really just put this on it's own thread)
 
Rocky Rose said:
Lately I've actually had dreams of playing with kids in some yard in a completely different neighborhood then where I live in this life, and I knew the kids I was playing with..and I see myself pretty much close to the age I am now, and it looks like the 1980s clothing wise. (I should really just put this on it's own thread)
Yes, put it in a new thread. Do you have any more details about this?
 
I say leave it, but do encourage her to write it down, because at the very least it can be therapeutic. However, I think accepting the possibility of a PL has to be a personal inward decision.
 
Any friend who is willing to think about reincarnation and knows you believe in it will come to you if they feel at all inclined to wonder if something could be PL related. They know you won't mock them while thinking it through with them, so it will be easier to talk to you than most people.


Several of my in-the-know friends relate their own possibly-related experiences quite casually now, since they know that I'm open to the idea.
 
Mere Dreamer said:
My parents know the Bible and its history better than most people. They have translated nearly the whole thing into a language that didn't have the Bible yet, and are always studying theology because they translate theological books and articles all the time. Basically, their level of expertise is what makes the conversation virtually impossible.
We talk about dreams when she is willing, but since she is averse to the idea of "dreams and visions" as anything other than random events, it's not easy to discuss what they might mean to her. I'll keep the more possible suggestions in mind, in case it comes up again. :thumbsup:
So, then, she IS AWARE OF THE FACT that her text was altered by the Council of Nicea as convened by Constantine, to remove all of the original references to reincarnation? http://reluctant-messenger.com/origen6.htmlIf that is the case, then as a scholar of the history of the text, she should have no problem with reincarnation.


If she happens to be embroiled in the text as it sits now, then she doesn't have all of the facts and their level of expertise is not that great.
 
Rocky Rose said:
I have a real close friend who had a dream recently that she was hanging out with Bing Crosby and it sounded to me like More than a Dream...the thing is- she and my other close friends know about my belief in reincarnation even though they don't believe in it themselves (despite that fact that their religious book was altered by some random people back in 300something which someone else mentioned in this thread)
Like, I'm not about to go off acting like they all have to believe in it because that's just foolish.
Agree. I don't force my belief on anyone. It's my personal 'history' and no one has to believe it.
 
What I have found is that with people who are that into the Bible and its teachings they take the book literally. There are even people who only believe a certain version.


They are usually best left to what they do for we each have our own interpretation of it. I think we all have a purpose in this life, perhaps theirs is to promote the Bible ... it seems like they are doing an excellent job of it and are making it available to a whole new set of people. That in itself is very exciting.


I look at it this way. Nothing is perfect or has all the answers. We each just do our part. They talk about the Bible ... we talk about reincarnation. And we can let others choose what to believe. It reminds me of a conversation I once had at a Bible based church. I was talking about my daughter's reincarnation memories to a woman I had met. She asked how I fit those memories into the Bible. My response was "I don't even try."
 
Effective ways to present Reincarnation


Greetings!


I - who am now 71 - was one who did not believe that Reincarnation really happened, even though I had vivid waking memories of having been here before. Some regression sessions certainly turned up past life items. But I yet needed the answer as to "Why?" Then, one evening while I was pondering the matter, I received a spoken question in my consciousness. The Question to me was: "Jed, what makes you think that I, God Eternal, would prevent you from incarnating again so that you could continue to spread and share my Loving-Kindness as often and as far as love leads you to do?" I have shared this question with a number of devout Christians, and all of them ponder this question - and none have found a reason why God would prevent me from re-incarnating.
 
argonne1918 said:
When I go to funerals or memorial services and know that the deceased was either an atheist or fundamentalist I picture them in my mind and telepathically ask them, "Are you surprised you're still here?" I want to let them know that I know they are there watching their own funeral. Sometimes they answer me in a week or two! :)
That's interesting. I'll have to keep it in mind if I ever do go to a funeral again. At least it will be something to do with myself. Funerals have never made sense to me as a practice. Heh. Memorial celebrations? yes. Funerals/burials? no.


Jed, that was one of the thoughts I was given as well. When I thought about it, I realized it made way more sense and aligned with the idea of hope and love far better than the traditional religious view.


I think it goes over better when someone is given the word from their own spiritual guidance than when someone (even family or friends) attempts to tell them the same. It's one thing for them to leave me to think as I wish in the face of such a question. It's another for them to agree.


A friend I talked to about my experiences in the last couple weeks just couldn't wrap his mind around the idea. (I was hoping it would help him with a strong desire he feels that looks like it's not going to happen in this life. Who knows if it will help him, eventually?) All the same, he acknowledged that such an experience would definitely result in my current viewpoint.


He's fine with me being where I am in my beliefs, but he doesn't want to think about it further, especially in regards to his own life. And that's his freedom.


I don't think everyone needs to think about it in order to do what they have come to do.


All the same, I wish he would consider it because I'm curious if he would remember/confirm the life we spent together. I didn't even mention that part, because I knew it would come across wrong. Heh!
 
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