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Do you talk to your friends and family about reincarnation? (merged)

Chris thats exactly what my freinds said when i first told them i was a girl before, they said, so are you gay now? People who dont understand reincarnation dont really know what to think, but my freinds support my beliefs and never make fun of me, even if they dont believe it 100%. my family knows about my PL memories, and all but my mom tried my regression cd and came out with pl memories, but i only recently told them i was a woman. I thought they would take it the wrong way, i mean at first i took it the wrong way and didnt want it to be true. but i accepted it now, and it definatly explains a heck of alot about my childhood and now. But i never shy away from talking about my beliefs, i mean nobody who has a popular afterlife belief doesnt, so why should I.
 
I was wondering how many of you here, like me, keep your past life beliefs from your families?
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With my friends and acquaintances -- I gauge their reaction by bringing up books (as Deborah recommended) or specials I've seen on television. If they seem interested, I will talk about it -- if not, then I drop the subject.

Any profound discussion or experience-sharing is saved for my innermost circle of friends - and my family. I tend to surround myself -- with like-minded individuals, people with whom I share a connection and a common interest. Those are the rare individuals who listen without judging, understand without explaining -- and love you for every thought, expression, or experience.

I am very blessed -- to have had, and to continue having those extra-special people in my life.


Aili
 
No one around me shares my interest in reincarnation and I'm generally uncomfortable talking about it. Really outside forums such as this I don't talk about it anywhere. It's easier when it's impersonal I think, I'm a very private person and your past lives are about as personal as it gets. I also recall an opposite gendered past life and have a picture of that life I keep around. I try to avoid having it brought up and I think most I know understand it's best not to ask me questions about these things.
 
I have never talked about it with my family and only with a couple of my closest friends. I have mentioned it to a couple of lovers who I have 'recognised' but have usually been met with incredulity, with a tinge of fear, so mostly I just keep shtum. The other day I did mention it to my mother and she was interested and even said she had had a couple of memories here and there - just a few bits and pieces. So, I kind of wonder why I never brought it up. I thought maybe I would hurt her feelings or something, as if she was not my 'real' mother or something.

I have usually kept it fairly carefully hidden, thinking people would think I was nuts and not, for that matter being too convinced of my sanity myself (until I found this forum). A great number of my memories are somewhat blood-splattered after all.

I reckon I come across odd enough in my own way, without adding to it with that sort of 'crazy talk'. A few times I have talked to strangers about it (always searching for someone else 'like me') usually after a couple of emboldening drinks, particularly if I 'recognised' someone, but the conversation usually gets bogged down in the old chestnuts - how do you know it's not just your imagination, why don't we run out of souls, why does everyone think they were Cleopatra....
 
ChrisR said:
And also because of the fact that I was of the opposite sex in my most recent past life (the only PL that I can clearly recall), I think they would find that just laughable, and it would probably change their view of me forever. Even though I remember since I was a child, I had dreams of being a girl, I never told anyone because I thought there was something wrong with me.
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Same here, except it wasn't my most recent past life; I've been women in most of my lives, though I'm male now. Let's just say this has had some influence in my present life. :)

My parents believe in reincarnation, but they have shown some slight discomfort when I have spoken about having been female. My best friend is just fine with it; she's (almost all my friends are women) the only friend I have who knows I believe in reincarnation because I'm very private about it. With most people, I never talk about the concept unless 1) it comes up and 2) it's clear they accept the possibility. I find that it's not worth it to talk about it otherwise.

Did you ever read Rainbow Man by M.J. Engh? It's a science-fiction story about someone who travels to a planet inhabited by humans who define "male" as "unable to become pregnant and bear children." Thus prepubescent girls, women past menopause, and women with fertility problems or who've had "birth-control operations"--the latter includes the protagonist--are all considered male. Our situation reminded me of this book.
 
If I want to know if someone believes in reincarnation I just talk about something my son has said about one of his past lives. I decide if i will proceed based on what they say. When I first talk about what he said, I never mention whether I believe him or not unless the person asks.
 
Chris and everyone,

I was raised in a comfortable situation with the belief of reincarnation. That is, my family discussed it openly (from my grandparents to my brother, with whom I don't discuss things often but listens). It's a good thing. Reincarnation is a major part of this life. I have learned so much, and I find it hard to imagine a life wherein at least one family member does not support me.

However, it is not something I openly discuss with friends. With a couple, it has never come up---I am not going to bring it up out of nowhere (although I might if the subject arises). There is another friend I have who is an evangelical Christian. I know absolutely that there is no way I can bring it up to her.

That all being said, I know I have to "come out" at some point in my artwork. If people cannot accept it, then they cannot accept it.

Also, there are also people who believe in reincarnation but simply don't want to discuss it.
 
Does your family share your belief in reincarnation?

My husband does and my daughter does but I don't broadcast it to any of the other members of my family. My mom knows but doesn't necessarily agree with me. I would never tell my dad. He is very judgemental and narrowminded. He is quick to preach about Southern Baptist religion and very quick to judge but in the same sense he doesn't hold himself up to those same standards. He doesn't attend church regularly. While I would love to tell him that I do not ascribe to organized religion but that I believe wholeheartedly in reincarnation he would condemn me to his idea of the fire and brimstone hell. What have been your experiences?
 
HI Amy,

My mom and dad both believe. Mom has had many experiences, and my dad knows of a few. My sister believes, my youngest brother is on the fence..my older brother -well - let's just say he knows but likes to play the devils advocate.

My daughters have both had experiences and my son. My grandson when he was younger used to express memories.

The best why I have found to approach people who are not open to it - is to ask them about other peoples experiences in books. ;)
 
Our daughter (14) has PL affinities to Ireland, pre-war Polish Jews and 1960s hippy USA. Our son (11) has a PL affinity with 1980s/90s New York. My wife has no PL affinities - but then I guess she's a 'new soul'.

I knew from the moment our daughter was born, and I gazed into her eyes, that she was an 'old soul'. The pattern is confirmed.

Michal
 
Who cares what people think?

It took me a long time to get over the fear of being judged, but now it doesn't even register. What Deborah says is the best comeback: What about the experiences of millions of people? Are they all liars? What about the two major world religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, that espouse reincarnation as major tenets?

For the fire and brimstone "Christian," it's always easy for them to say: Yeah, nonChristians are all going to hell, and they are deluded by the devil. These people are the hardest to deal with because they are so close-minded and the least apt to do any work or study on the subject. They are the ones you just need to ignore. You can always hope and pray they have an experience that opens their minds - :thumbsup:

I feel we must be confident and firm in our beliefs; we have just as much a right to them as anyone (and perhaps more so because there is so much proof).

Michal - P.S. I doubt very much your wife is a "new soul" just because she can't remember a past life. ;)
 
I think the only person in my family (that I know of) who definitely believes in reincarnation is my grandma. Nonetheless, I actually haven't even talked to her about it in depth (or told her of my notions of my past lives).

I have talked about it with my stepdad and my mom, but I avoid the topic most of the time even with them. I've been rather afraid to talk to my dad about it. He's basically a skeptic type.
 
I have some friends and family that are open to the possibility of reincarnation but just as many that do not beleive and I would not be able to approach the subject with and would never be able to discuss my memories and beleifs with.

Kay
 
I am the only person in my immediate family who believes in reincarnation, though I have an uncle who has believed for most of his life. My kids are young and we don't discuss this issue much. So far, I have only brought up reincarnation with them when a pet dies and we are talking about what will happen to them next. When they are old enough, I'm sure we will have more indepth conversations.
 
My parents always sneered at the idea of reincarnation (and any sort of religion). Before he died, my father said he'd always had this strange memory of marching in a parade commemorating the "end of the great war" (world war I) and it didn't fit into the normal sequence of his life.
 
No one in my family believed in reincarnation, while I was growing up. It was only after reading a couple of chapters of a book written by a friend of mine -- that my mother has said she now believes in the possibility -- but doesn't really want to "know" anything. ;)
 
I don't really talk to my family about religion, they know I believe and I think they semi-believe, but I think they tend to side with other views.
 
I'm the only one in my family (that I know of) who believes in reincarnation. My mom and sister are open to the idea, but neither will go so far as to say they believe. My mom believes in God and my sister is agnostic, but both are just unsure of what happens after you die. I'd never even tell my dad because he's really into his religion and thinks anyone who believes anything else is going to hell (i'm rolling my eyes as i type that haha). I have a few friends who believe in reincarnation, one of whom I met through this forum.
 
Your replies are all interesting...

I find it fascinating when, like Ailish's mother, people don't want to know about past lives. How can a person not want to know and add to their understanding of self? --And Justin's father with this recurring significant memory: How can he draw no tentative conclusions, or even theories, about what it might mean...? --Of course, it's not my place to judge, and we should be focused on our lives now. BUT I have found such huge solace in understanding how my other lives impact me now. There's a great deal of healing that can be reached from it, and I agree that these memories arise for a reason -- to be healed.
 
What is your attitude when you tell?

I truly believe that if you say what you believe with confidence and conviction, other people will accept it well, whether they believe or not. Attitude is SO important.

We belie ourselves when we inadvertently act embarrassed or inferior when we admit to our beliefs. We have to walk the walk and not just talk... proof, evidence, logic, the universe is on our side....:thumbsup:
 
I'm the same way.When I got into spiritual and new age thought when I was 22, I delicately discussed the concept of reincarnation with my parents. Actually I had had past life flashbacks all my life, but never had discussed them before. I found my parents were open minded, but didn’t quite grasp this new thought.

It wasn’t until my baby sister (20 years younger than myself) started talking well that they actually believed the possibility. She was sitting on my Dad’s lap one day and felt his face and said, “My last daddy had hair on his face.” Then went on to say, “When I was in the army I had a cow named Blackie.”

I did some checking in civil war books at the library (sorry no link – this was before the net) and found a statement referencing that a few civil war soldiers actually did take their milk cows to the camps with them and they were very much welcomed for the fresh milk they provided.
 
I can remember as a teen and wanting to talk about this to my mother. She would say, "Don't tell anyone this". I'm sure she thought I was nuts.
I wish I had discussed reincarnation with my grandmother. She was a wise soul.
Thankfully I had and still have a best friend with whom I've shared many lifetimes.
My children are open to the possibility. One remembers being my mom in a PL in "some place called Virginia".
My husband is a here and now type of guy, doesn't feel comfortable discussing it.
 
Hi McDebra,

That's interesting that one of your children remembers being your mom in a past life. Do you have any memories of the life your child is speaking about?


Ailish
 
I have not yet found any easy way to bring up my pastlife memories with most people I meet. I have been lucky to have a few people around me who do beleive and I can discuss reincarnation with, but this is the minority. Overall the majority of friends I just dont go there with.

Kind Regards
Kay
 
Today I was talking to my ex-wife about reincarnation. I've mentioned her previously in this thread, and how she made fun of me when I first told her about my regression and past-life experiences.


Today I asked her for her thoughts, and whether she now believed that death is not the end for us as human beings. She said that she would like to think that there is more after we die, and why would we be put here to live one life, full of pain and suffering for many?


She also mentioned her daughter, who is 3 years old. Recently she has started saying things that my ex-wife would normally have overlooked if she hadn't been aware of the things i've discussed with her in the past. Just before bed at night, when she's sleepy, she becomes sad and says that she "wants to go home" (even though she already is at home) But instead of dismissing it, her mum now goes along with it, and says that if she says anything else unusual in the future, then she will let her talk about it, which is good, I told her to also write anything down that she might say in the future.


Maybe it's something or nothing, maybe I'm being too alert to the things she says. She still wakes up in the night crying hysterically sometimes, and nobody can get through to her, as if she's in another world and totally oblivious to anybody around her. All we can do is just let her cry until she's had enough. Something is obviously scaring her very much, but nothing has happened in her short life so far to make her that scared.


My ex said that if her daughter is remembering another home, from another life, then she finds that rather upsetting as she was the one who gave birth to her. I tried to explain to her some of the things I've learnt from this forum, and Carol's books, but I was quite surprised how difficult it can be, telling somebody to their face. I did my best, and I'm sure she understood.
 
Hi Chris,


I do remember feeling a twinge of that jealousy type feeling when my son spoke of his other mother. She was apparently, very close to sainthood. It was very short lived though and really only the first time he spoke of her. I started to think very quickly how glad I am that he had a mommy who loved him so much. I've heard stories of people who have children who spoke of being abused in their previous lives and I couldn't bear those thoughts.


Also, and I don't know how to clearly explain this, but very soon, seems by kindergarten, your goddaughter will begin to get more firmly grounded in this life. Tell your ex that none of those memories changes her daughter's love for her now.


Good luck.


Vicky
 
I freaking wish.


The last time I did such a thing, I got laughs. My mother thinks I've imagined it all. She thinks I have the world's biggest overactive imagination. In other realms, you can imagine her inability to take me even remotely seriously has been very destructive.


My father just thinks it's crazy. Last time I checked. He's been becoming more spiritual, so I'm not so sure.
 
Thanks Vicky. I did try to explain to my ex that she should try not to feel so badly, and that many children talk about other mums and dads, at least her daughter hasn't got to that stage...yet - ;)


I also told her that no matter who her daughter was in the past, she chose her as a mum this time round, and that she doesn't love her any less, and that is what counts the most.


Koshka, I'm sorry that you were laughed at, and I agree, it can do immense damage, especially to a child. All it can take is one word, or one expression of disbelief, to shut a child down for good and cause them to suppress their memories, which often leads to problems later on in life. I really can't understand this built in tendency that many people have, to dismiss or not even consider the possibility of reincarnation.


Whether or not my ex believes anything I've told her, at least I'm glad that she's aware of the possibilities, and keeps them in mind for if, or whenever her daughter remembers anything else.


Thanks for the replies - :)
 
People are Alltogether Strange


If I discussed reincarnation with my family they would probably exorcise me or drown me in a baptismal pool. I feel for the women of Salem who were burned at the stake for worshiping female energies and using natural healing methods (although most of the people, men women and children, who were killed during those times had done nothing). Those of us who do not bow down to fear tactics and patriarchy are often the ones who are targeted.
 
My mom has mentioned that she believes in reincarnation and that she visited with a psychic. The problem is that she strongly believes that my whole family was together in a past life. I don't feel comfortable talking to her about the subject because that isn't what my memories suggest. If anything, the bond I feel with one of my sisters may be a clue that we had some kind of connection in a past life, but this excludes the rest of my family and I know my mom would be insulted. Additionally, I know my mom would be extremely concerned, sad, and possibly disturbed to learn how obsessed I am with my past life and that thoughts of it are as prevalent in my mind as thoughts pertaining to this life. These memories having been a regular part of my daily existence for ten years now, and she would be hurt and confused to discover that I have been keeping them from her.


As for the rest of my family and friends, they wouldn't take me seriously. They already see me as being a little eccentric because they know about my fascination with certain music, locations, and time periods, and I usually tend to joke about it. On occasions that I have tried to explain, it goes nowhere because they still think I'm kidding. One friend understands that I'm serious, but thinks I'm delusional. To them it will always just be me being my weird old self.
 
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