Real or false memory?
- Thread starter Medea_
- Start date
tanguerra
Moderator Emeritus
The usual hallmarks of a past life memory, as opposed to a day dream, imagination or fantasy, is the way they make us feel - usually some kind of strong emotion. Happiness, sadness, fear, anger - it's really hard to make yourself feel an emotion out of nowhere. Actors have a lot of training to be able to make themselves cry for instance, but most often they are using a real experience from their own life to get to the emotion they are looking for.
The level of detail that is usually involved is hard to just 'make up'; the way we just know what is going on, what we are thinking, who all the people are and so on is something that is hard to fake - even to yourself. Often the number of senses involved and all interacting together is unlike something we can just dream up - there is hot, cold, smells, wind, sore feet, sweat, dirt, buttons, sounds, etc. Most people just don't have that good an imagination. I know I don't. If I tried to make up something as detailed, and historically accurate, with all the background information I seem to have about what was going on at the time in some foreign country centuries ago, I just couldn't do it.
Just trust your instincts about it. You will know deep down if you are 'making it up' or remembering. It feels different.
The level of detail that is usually involved is hard to just 'make up'; the way we just know what is going on, what we are thinking, who all the people are and so on is something that is hard to fake - even to yourself. Often the number of senses involved and all interacting together is unlike something we can just dream up - there is hot, cold, smells, wind, sore feet, sweat, dirt, buttons, sounds, etc. Most people just don't have that good an imagination. I know I don't. If I tried to make up something as detailed, and historically accurate, with all the background information I seem to have about what was going on at the time in some foreign country centuries ago, I just couldn't do it.
Just trust your instincts about it. You will know deep down if you are 'making it up' or remembering. It feels different.
Tourmaline
Active Member
I think there ultimately is no way to know--from a scientific perspective, that is. (Though there are cases, like those in Ian Stevensen's book, that are pretty hard to explain otherwise.) I struggle with this too. Like Tanguerra said, in the end you just have to trust yourself. For me there is a peace and wholeness that I feel as I accept my memories as truth, while knowing, of course, that I couldn't prove it in a court of law.
Probably even PL memories that are basically true have some amount of fantasy mixed in. Not even our memories from out current life are 100% accurate.
Probably even PL memories that are basically true have some amount of fantasy mixed in. Not even our memories from out current life are 100% accurate.
Looking Backwards
Senior Registered
Exactly! I've had several memories that I have sworn by, only for the details to be contradicted and and confirmed by others. My guess is that in some cases, it's two or more memories blended into one. That may be why some PL memories seem fragmented and contradictory.
Tourmaline
Active Member
Also thinking of implicit vs. explicit memory...or conscience memory vs. body memories. I was a premature baby and was tube fed. I have no explicit memory of this and wouldn't know it happened if my parents hadn't told me. But my implicit memory of it is very, very strong...for example as a child at the dentist I was scared of having them spray water in my mouth. I was afraid I would choke on it. I have always had a very strong choke/gag reflex and as an adult I identified it as a response to the unpleasant feeling of having a tube forced down my throat.
I guess what I am saying is maybe in PL stuff you have to trust the implicit memories...we all want that factual proof, but triggers, phobias, behaviors are proof too, when they have no root in this life.
I guess what I am saying is maybe in PL stuff you have to trust the implicit memories...we all want that factual proof, but triggers, phobias, behaviors are proof too, when they have no root in this life.
tanguerra
Moderator Emeritus
Learn to trust yourself. You know the difference between 'fantasy' and 'reality' deep down. It can be hard these days, I know. We are bombarded with images, movies, TV shows, social media, games and distractions at every turn, etc. etc. But even so, deep down, we know.
It might require sitting quietly by yourself (phone OFF!) for at least half an hour (yes really). But just being quiet for a little while will allow you to connect with yourself. If it helps, lie down. Put your hands on your heart. Ask yourself... what is this all about? Listen to the answer. Write it down so you don't forget.
It's all the proof you will ever get in the long run.
It might require sitting quietly by yourself (phone OFF!) for at least half an hour (yes really). But just being quiet for a little while will allow you to connect with yourself. If it helps, lie down. Put your hands on your heart. Ask yourself... what is this all about? Listen to the answer. Write it down so you don't forget.
It's all the proof you will ever get in the long run.