Mythology

Mythology

Past life regression is mentioned in the Upanishads of ancient India,^[6] but is discussed in greater detail in the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. Writing during the second century BCE, the Hindu scholarPatañjali discussed the soul being burdened with an accumulation of impressions that were part of the karma from previous lives.^[7] Patañjali called the process of past life regression, prati-prasav(literally "reverse birthing"), and involved addressing current problems through memories of past lives. Prati-prasav is used today as a practice in some types of yoga.^[8][9] In the religious mythology ofChina, souls are prevented from remembering their past lives by the deity Meng Po, also known as the "Lady of Forgetfullness", who gives them a bittersweet drink that erases all memories before they climb the wheel of reincarnation.^[10]

[edit]Modern era

In the modern era, it was the works of Madame Blavatsky, co-founder of the Theosophical Society, which brought it a new found popularity, especially in the West. French educator Allan Kardec also delved into past life regression in The Spirits Book and Heaven and Hell. Past life regression therapy has been developed since the 1950s by psychologists, psychiatrists and mediums. The belief gained credibility because some of the advocates possess legitimate credentials, though these credentials were in areas unrelated to religion, psychotherapy or other domains dealing with past lives and mental health. Interest in the phenomenon started due to American housewife Virginia Tighe reporting and recounting the alleged memories of a 19th-century Irish woman named Bridey Murphy; later investigation failed to support the existence of such a woman and the memories were attributed to Tighe's childhood during which she spent time living next to an Irish immigrant.^[1]