past life experiences

flowerfriend I share your concerns. What does she really want to get out of this?

Sounds completely bonkers to me.

Worrying, if she is good at self hypnosis, as some are! Heaven knows what she'll conjure up from her inmost wishes? I am actually a qualified hypnotherapist and worry when it is used irresponsibly! It can really cause problems.
Please try and stop her!

jeni I had a brilliant hypnotherapist some years ago, he helped me to develop a self hypnosis system for the particular condition that I consulted him about. I wouldn't dream of either self diagnosis or self treatment within this particular field!

(Jeni, does this make sense? Not sure if I have made my point without giving further personal info.)

Yes, it does. I used it mainly when I was in practice for weight reduction, stopping smoking, asthma and confidence building. I also used self hypnosis for people with needle phobia to induce dental anaesthesia .
I havent practiced for several years now!

jeni that is really interesting, many many years ago I was a dental nurse, and the dentist I worked for did hypnosis for some of his patients, with good effect.

It really does work. And although I say it myself I was very good!

jeni I'm sure you were! It is so refreshing to be able to have a positive slant on this, many people still see it as a kind of weird alternative therapy sort of thing.

Ok! I'm not your usual convential Dr. I did 10 years in GP then with 2young children, when my dh's job was moved from Brum to Gloucester, the only job I could find that didn't mean more than the one in four rota I was working (nights and weekends) was with what was then the DSS.
I took early retirement at age 49 on health grounds and joined the tribunal service, for whom I still work.
I have occasionally helped a friend with hypnosis, but not for ages.
It is a very useful technique, but I worry about the people who say they they are qualified, but could not cope with a cathartic experience if inadvertently triggered?

I believe in reincarnation, but don't like the idea. Yes flowerfriend some of these books are a load of rubbish. I read one a couple of years ago about a hypnotherapist who took people back to their past lives. I know a few people who have read the same book and thought the author was wonderful, I thought the exact opposite.

My niece and I had a conversation with a man once who told us if he can't see it and can't measure it, then it does not exist. I wonder if he given any thought to the air he breathes or the emotions he feels!

While I realise that there were a number of them (just as there were a number of Ptolemys), it is quite astonishing how many people were Cleopatra in a previous existence.

I guess we all get reincarnated in a sense as our atoms return into the universe when we die - who knows what they might finish up in?

But air can be measured and weighed and emotions can be seen as changes in brain chemistry which can be measured.
I don't see the point of reincarnation - if you don't remember a past life it is irrelevant. I think that there is a great danger of 'false memories' such as occurred in several cases of claims of sexual abuse.
Is there no end to the weird and wonderful beliefs that people hold?

Yes that is right greatnan, all too easy for a hypnotist to conjure up false memories.
I also agree with jeni that in the right hands (i,e a properly qualified hypnotherapist, not someone who has done a 2 day gimmicky course) it is a very valuable tool, which is sadly, rather out of fashion these days.

flower I agree with the others. i think you should say you respect her spiritual views but really don't agree with them and that you feel uncomfortable being involved in her plan.
Then when she brings the subject up say something like "I really can't get into this stuff, although i know it interests you." And don't accept her books. You are giving out a confusing message. It would be the same if someone was trying to interest you in any other religious belief.

I am concerned that your friend is asking you to check in on her after a few hours, flower after 'doing it'. What does she think is going to happen?

You have made very good points and I know I should be firmer when she is talking about regression and wanting me to read about it. Indeed it has been some months now since she last lent me a book. However I dont want to be too harsh when she is merely talking about it. Life does intervene in a most convenient way sometimes and she told me yesterday that what with visiting her sister and having various things to do which take her out every day for a week the regression isnt going to be imminent. And even then she wants to read some more about it. Could she be getting cold feet. Oh I do hope so. Thank you all for your feed-back.

i have had hypnotherapy by a clinical psychologist and consider it very dangerous! don't do it yourself and don't be hypnotised by someone whose name you found in the paper.

My small experience of this, apart from working with a stage hypnotist, was a single session, during which I was made to relax, nothng more, and as a result of what was said to my surprise then and there kicked a smoking habit of many years duration. That was in 1976, and I have never touched tobacco since. The 'therapist' was a retred Army Colonel, who did it as a hobby, and charged me £2.10p (two guineas!) which he sent to charity.

Hypnotism requires a sort of contract of trust between you, and can't be imposed against your will. It's not magic or spiritual or any other kind of supernatural flummery.

I see mention of a dentist's use of it above - someone I was at school with became a RAF Dental Officer, and he found it a useful adjunct which he carried on into civilian practice.

'Regression' is baloney...!

I know hypnotism works for many patients, but I am sure I could never allow anyone to control my mind.

Hi there! Does your friend intend to do this regression on her own or with a therapist? Personally I don’t think she should do it without the help of a qualified therapist.

I have been in groups that have discussed this type of thing. It is possible to get some idea about past lives by paying attention to your likes and dislikes; movies, books, people, favourite time in history etc.

I am wondering what "qualifies" someone to do past life regression hypnosis.
I am a big fan of hypnotherapy in the right hands - for reduction of anxiety, facilitating relaxation, cultivating a more positive outlook on things etc.
Someone I know had a less happy experience lately with a hypnotherapist/counsellor who stirred up trauma from early life. (this life)
Trouble is that hypnosis/hypnotherapy is a very wide "church" with lots of different types of qualification.

That’s true and it’s the toughest part of it - finding a good therapist. Some people wonder what good would it do to know about past lives. What it does is give you some insight into why certain things in this life keep repeating themselves. It can also be helpful for someone struggling to cope with this life.

Or excuses?

I think feetlebaum summed it up nicely 'regression is baloney'!