Filling in the blanks

[enyeo]

And, another question:

I get leery when I read a past life memory account that has a lot of detailed information, enough to look like a novel has been written. How much of a temptation is it to fill in the blanks, and make all of the story make sense? I hold off from putting my memories together, because I've seen this tendency again and again. I've done it myself, and then ended up finding I was wrong about what I thought I remembered. I'm almost happier just keeping grocery lists of things I think I remember, because when I start putting things together, I wonder how wrong I can go.

Most of the past life recall books I have read can't seem to steer away from the urge to write fiction. Some are absolute nonsense - but I know it's better not to say which ones. On the other hand, I don't want to spend my time reading books that are basically lab results. I have found a few books in the middle I like, but not many.

I think maybe the hardest book to write is one on this subject. You want to entertain a reader, but if you try to entertain, you're going to invent. I think it's unavoidable.

What do you think?

 

[deborah]

HI Enyeo


I am running out the door soon - but am wondering if you have read the thread titled The difference between remembering and experience.


I agree with you - that there are books out there that are more fiction than fact. No doubt writing a book about past life recall is a difficult task. I will ponder your question some more this afternoon and come back later. In the mean time I look forward to the responses of others.

 

[Ailish]

Hi enyeo,

I get leery when I read a past life memory account that has a lot of detailed information, enough to look like a novel has been written.

I think it’s important to remember that some people are very conscious of the details of their past lives – and do re-experience them in vivid detail. There is a huge difference in creating something in your head – versus being fully in the moment. There is also a huge difference in knowing something – as opposed to imagining the way it could be.


Many individuals have been working to piece together these lifetimes for more than ten years. Many have found different techniques that allow them to go deeper within themselves to find the answers – and have learned to ask for clarity.


I have friends that have the most phenomenally detailed memories – that have proven accurate via research from professional historians and linguists. Things – the average ordinary joe would have absolutely no way of knowing - that are completely outside their realm of personal experience.


I can speak from personal experience when I say that I have very detailed memories – but I do not generally make a point of sharing anything unless I have personal validation - whether that comes in the form of shared memories with another person, or research and historical documentation.


I understand your reluctance to format your memories into a sequential story – however, I think that it can be done well, as long as you stay with actual memories as they were documented in your journals - and include all research and actual validation - without expanding on the original memories.


Another thread for your consideration:


Imagination vs. fantasy



Ailish

 

[spiritjems]

good topic


This whole area of PT memory is new to me. I am not "new" however,to inner exploration. I have learned throughout the years that discernement and not allowing the glamour of new possibilities to take over reason and rational inquiry. Therefore, I am most grateful for the way this forum is structured. It honours our inner journey toward spiritual freedom. It respects our quest " to know" who we are. I feel encouraged here to delve into aspects of selves that offer keys to restoring our wholeness. I also respect the safety measures employed in this forum, to protect our rights to talk about subjects that are not familiar. Also, validation is important. Otherwise, it is just another story and doesn't produce fruit of lasting value. Most important, I believe all beings have a desire to be connected to the source. The wellspring of natural giving. Healing the past is a major component in freeing up that energy.


Thank you,


Julie

 

[tanguerra]

When I experience it, it is very much like a memory from this life (except, obviously it isn't because it is in a different era and I may have a different gender!).


I may only have one scene which might only take a flash to recall, but I know exactly why I am there what is going on, what happened next, who the other people are, what our relationship is and so on. It is very clear and vivid just like a present life memory. I have made up written stories and so on for fun, or for school or whatever, and I have a good imagination, but it just feels completely different when it is an imaginary tale.


Other people have less detailed images. They may only have something fairly vague like 'I'm on a ship and I feel sad' but not much more information. It is an individual thing. Some people are much more visual than others, or much more verbal and better at describing things clearly. Some have better memories for details and are more observant in general. For instance I can remember all sorts of stuff from this life back to when I was about one year old. This seems perfectly reasonable to me, but is astonishing to others who mostly don't remember anything much before about age 7.


It is usually easy enough to pick the 'fakes' though. Usually their stories are highly romantic, stylised, fairy-tale like, or just don't make sense - have details in them that are simply impractical or don't add up. They just don't ring true somehow. There is the odd famous person kicking around the boards and it does happen, but more often than not people's memories are pretty mundane and there is a lot of emotion, very personal detail and dirt involved.

 

[archival]

A good question, enyeo ... and one that I have thought about as well. My experience has been that I have very detailed memories which exist in a very small time frame, a moment. And while I had these memories as a child, since then they have passed into a memory of a memory ... much like many of our childhood memories when remembered later. Regardless, I still remember, even if just moments.


I agree with tanguerra ... you have to go by your gut when reading others experiences as to whether or not it pertains to your experience or what you are seeking. However, sometimes, even in a fable you are able to pick up on clues that help in your truth, or see that which might lead to a better understanding due to an obscure note. Obviously, reincarnation isn't a science yet ... so you have to trust in yourself, and go with what makes sense in your understanding while being open to potential insight. And from reading your previous posts, I am sure this is not new news.


All of us, regarding our own personal memories, are the only one who know what we remember and what we experience from that memory ... the way we recount it, I am sure, will vary upon the way we remember and the way we are most comfortable to share what we remember. A pinch of salt and a bit of faith when reading others.

 

[enyeo]

That's what I do - very clear memories of brief periods, then I hit a wall and wait for the wall to maybe come down later. In the beginning, though, I didn't wait for the wall to come down and tried to make things fit. Ended up a bit embarrassed for rushing things.


I'm much more cautious now.


enyeo

 

[spiritjems]

brick wall


Hi


last night, I actually "hit" a brick wall. I asked a question and then I saw a brick wall and couldn't get past it. I believe I just wasn't ready to look at the event. Now, I have another question if I may. I am "almost" positive that I was abused as a child during the Puritan time period. I "think" I got a man's name last night, but didn't get up and write it down.( I know I should have). How does one go about researching this. I did see a man and the clothing he wore. The man was dressed just like some of the men in the Scarlet letter movie. So, today I tried to find pictures of men's clothing from that time period. I also "feel" the way he talked to me, it was definately a "seduction meathod". I would like to heal this, as I feel that man is in my life currently.


I am big on validation and don't know how to narrow a search. I wonder if men were ever procecuted for crimes of this nature, during that time period.


I also know regression is one meathod. This is so emotional, I probably need a trained regression threrapist. I noticed there was only one listed in my area when a went to the association website. I will look on the thread about selecting a trained professional.


Thank you


Julie

 

[enyeo]

About the brick walls:


I was with a friend who has had a lot of recall when one of her walls came down - we hit the internet immediately and found a reference that verified the name as being part of her past life, and other details she remembered. That was lucky and amazing. Try doing that with a Scottish name - the clans bred like rabbits! I haven't found anything that specific yet.


Unfortunately, I don't think you will find too many records of child abuse cases in that time. But it sounds like an early enough period that, if it's in the US, might be easier to find in archives - do you remember enough of the name to go through town records of that time?


Try this:


http://www.newenglandancestors.org/


enyeo