Problems with Over-identification

[Ailish]

I believe that we remember past lives for a reason. Having a past life memory - is an opportunity for healing. It is the chance to take the lessons you learned and apply them to your present life. It is an opportunity for personal growth and positive change.

Yet, how is it that some people do not progress forward into healing?

How is it that some people get so caught up in who they were -they fail to pay attention to who they are NOW?

I've seen many individuals become so completely fixated on idea of a particular past life persona, the lessons and the healing have become secondary to that which is truly important - knowing thyself. Knowing who you are NOW and more importantly - where you are going. If you are always focused on looking back, you cannot be looking forward at the same time.

I found an interesting article on J. Rainsnow's website talking about the problems with pl over-identification. I thought it was worth sharing:

I think two things may be said about the tendency to link strongly with one’s past-life self, in place of "digesting" the past-life self.

(1) Does the identification with the past-life self enrich, refresh, and in other ways enhance one’s connection to the present, or does it only pull one out of the present, locking one in a personality shell that is unable to relate in a fruitful way with the time one is in, now? Obviously, if one is using one’s past-life self as a kind of mental lifeboat with which to escape the challenges of the present, the identification with the past-life self could be considered to be unhealthy. (I am speaking of a prolonged or permanent escape from the present, not a temporary withdrawal for the purpose of re-energizing or expanding one’s consciousness.) I believe if we are alive now, it is to live now - to find a way of living now - not to "turn off" the now in order to try to live in the past. (Something that cannot really be done, even if we try.)

I think (2), that another problem that could result from identifying strongly with a past-life self could be depression, confusion, and even self-hate. This would be in the case of past-life characters who either met a traumatic end (or lived a thoroughly wretched life), or else who were perpetrators of guilt-inducing crimes or abuses. Most often, where the past-life self is a kind of dark inner sun, radiating sorrow, guilt, or despair instead of pride, hope, or joy, intense healing work should be undertaken; and one should then make a special effort to not "drift away" with the past, or overidentify with it, but to root oneself firmly in the present, where one has the power to recreate oneself as one wishes to be.
Article here

I thought the article was great - and I think it's important to look at one's reasons for wanting to do past life work.

I love doing past life work - and I have found it extremely beneficial in resolving issues, healing and breaking patterns within my life. But I also think it's important to remain grounded in the present moment - consciously creating in a positive way for the NOW, and for that which is to come

Any thoughts about the article?

Aili

 

[deborah]

I have always liked J. Rainsnow's work and her website. :thumbsup:


Looking at the bigger picture personally - is hard. The best way to take oneself out of a subjective POV; reach out to others.


Thanks you for posting this Aili.

 

[Truthseeker]

Excellent post Aili


I started this process out of curiousity, and it has been very rewarding. I think I've learned more about myself in the last year than all the prior years combined. I've had some rough spots in the past but I'm okay with it. I don't want to dwell on it nor do I want to worry too much about the future. I just want to make the most out of the moment and just let things unfold. Trust yourself and trust the journey.

 

[Ailish]

Awesome thoughts Deborah and Truthseeker!

I've had some rough spots in the past but I'm okay with it. I don't want to dwell on it...

I think those rough spots are some of the best learning opportunities for us...not to mention, they also provide us with the ability to appreciate and understand the blessings in our lives when things are going smoothly.


And good for your for not looking back and dwelling on things! That's a wonderful way of living. We can't change the past, but the present moment and the future are filled with possibilities. :thumbsup:


Aili

 

[Truthseeker]

Thank you Aili.


I think the past has definately helped me appreciate the present. Letting go of the past is always easier said then done, but I always say that you can't change what is already done. Learn from it and move on.


Here's to a future filled with infinite possibilities. $$

 

[W.A. HEART]

Hi everyone!


Thank you so much Aili, for posting this article. I loved reading it!


I think it is indeed essential not to forget who we are today. What our life is about now. I personally do not feel over-identified with any particular past life persona, but I don't feel as if they are merely a "someone else" from the past. To me, it is feels as if they are all still alive in me somehow, as a part of me, as a part of my life journey. I don't feel the need to go back and be those people again (even though I sometimes sorely miss people and places from some lives). I feel that who I am today is all I need to be now.


This takes me to another issue, a question we have all asked ourselves I'm sure. Why do we remember? Why some people and not others? Does it serve a purpose?


I have no clear answer to that question. I can only say that I feel that it "makes sense" to remember, that I'm supposed to know. I can't say why I feel this way, but some memories have always been such an intrinsecal part of myself that I'm sure I'd be a different person if I didnt remember...


Sorry for the ramblings...

 

[Ailish]

Some nice thoughts, Welsh! Thank you. )*(

I think it is indeed essential not to forget who we are today. What our life is about now. I personally do not feel over-identified with any particular past life persona, but I don't feel as if they are merely a "someone else" from the past. To me, it is feels as if they are all still alive in me somehow, as a part of me, as a part of my life journey.

I understand what you mean. We ARE a culmination of all we have been.


But what about those individuals who are too focused on just one lifetime? So focused, they surround themselves with the history, culture, music, books and photographs of the time? Complete immersion, to the point of denying their present identity the room to flourish. Surely that is more harmful than helpful - it promotes too much looking at what was instead of what IS and what will be.


Not to mention - it defeats the purpose of past life therapy. PL work is meant to bring about healing - allow you to learn about yourself through your history and repeated patterns. It allows you the opportunity to incorporate and apply those lessons to your life today - in a balanced and positive manner. If you're constantly stuck one one life - you aren't healing or moving forward. And that's a real shame, imo!

Why do we remember? Why some people and not others? Does it serve a purpose?

I do believe there is a purpose - but I feel that the message for each person is different I feel it's about knowing thyself - about healing and creating with conscious intent. It's about being true to yourself - and to re-connecting with Spirit in Love.


Some people may not remember because they don't believe or they don't want to know - therefore their conscious awareness is lessened. Perhaps they have dreams or experiences they don't recognize as being related to a possible past life. Or pehaps they are more interested in the NOW.


I believe everyone finds their way over time - on their own path.


Aili

 

[Eevee]

I think people - in general - still need to learn a lot about the meaning of past life memories. We can only hope they find this Forum and become interested in more than just the memories themselves.


Maybe those people that get stuck in one past life, got their first memories spontaneously, without a regressionist or selfregression. I think we might expect - in most cases - that people who go to a regressionist or intentionally meditate to receive Pl memories, have at least gathered some information about the purpose of those memories - the healing and/or the spiritual evolving purpose.


Maybe also their first memories about that particular past life, were happy memories, or at least memories that left them with a good feeling (I was famous/powerful/wealthy back then). And instead of taking the next step - what can I learn from the past/what feelings or fears do I need to overcome? - they prefer to linger on the past as an escape to reality. But as we all know, avoidance is not really an escape, one needs to face the problems to be able to continue the journey. And that is where PL memories can be a great help.


I think there is also a difference between people who talk a lot about one particular past life, because they remember that one in more detail, and remember only short scenes of other PL's, and those people who neglect or don't want to know about other PL's because they stay too focused on their favorite one.


BTW, great article ! :thumbsup:


Eevee

 

[Ailish]

I think people - in general - still need to learn a lot about the meaning of past life memories.

I agree, Eevee

But as we all know, avoidance is not really an escape, one needs to face the problems to be able to continue the journey.

I absolutely agree - 100%. Hiding from your problems just creates more! Like a wise woman once said, "Look to the healing, not to the wound."

I think there is also a difference between people who talk a lot about one particular past life, because they remember that one in more detail, and remember only short scenes of other PL's, and those people who neglect or don't want to know about other PL's because they stay too focused on their favorite one.

Well said. :thumbsup: And yes there's a difference for sure - but a balanced approached is still necessary when it comes to one's memories. It's quite easy to see when someone is too overly-focused as opposed to simply excited about the clarity of an experience, imo.


Nice thoughts, Eevee!

 

[kmatjhwy]

Ailish, Thanks for the article.


Now along with this, I would just like to share something that my father onetime said and it is this that has soooo much stayed with me ever since. And I do think that my father really hit the nail on the head with this thought.


This happened some months shortly before he passed away. He was retired at the time and just enjoying life as one might say. In his retirement, how much did he say ... "Enjoy Life". In his youth he had been religious, then fought in WWII, and afterwards junked his christian thoughts, studied all kinds of philosophy, and later became an agnostic so to speak. But toward the later part of his life, he came to believe in Reincarnation. And every so often we would talk on this. Then oneday came this one conversation that I will never forget.


Now in this conversation, he went on saying yes he believed in reincarnation but it was not all this and that some people say. He went on that to him it was not so much as working on karmic things or on learning this and that. But that it is how much we just want to come back and Enjoy Another Life Again!


Now I think this is what how many of us soooo tend to forget. How much Life is soooo Great and how wonderful it is to just be able to Enjoy all these many simple things that being alive and in a body entail. How much we get caught up in thinking it is to learn this and that or correcting some karmic issue, etc. But do think my father really hit the nail on the head so to speak when he said that we just want to come back and Enjoy Another Life Again.


Now was thinking of saying more but will just end it here. "Enjoy Life"!

 

[Ailish]

Hi kmatjhwy,

But do think my father really hit the nail on the head so to speak when he said that we just want to come back and Enjoy Another Life Again.

Wise man, your Dad Thanks for sharing his wisdom with us! And I agree - I love my life now, and I'm definitely looking forward to doing it all over again some day -


Aili

 

[Ailish]

Do any new members have thoughts to add to the discussion?