Twinn Swan

Have you ever felt an inexplicable pull towards a place you’ve never set foot in? Have you ever felt an unexplainable kinship with a bygone era or the persons who existed during that time period? These could be echoes from the grand journey of your soul, whispers from lifetimes long past. As a firm believer in the existence of past lives and the enduring thread of our existence, I became fascinated by the concept of discovering the existence of our past lives when I discovered the placements of Rahu and Ketu (North and South Nodes in Western astrology) in my natal chart.

While the belief in the existence of past lives is ingrained and widespread in the Eastern religions, it does not mean that a believer necessarily embarks on a quest to answer the persistently difficult question: Who was I? What did I do that I had to be reborn? In a way, then, the concept of rebirth, of existence itself, felt as though it had been levied upon me due to some punishment or misdeed of a previous incarnation. Many times, I even felt that way. Indeed, to attribute our entire existence to the concept of karma alone would be short-sighted as it does not take into account many mathematical or historical realities of the past. As any student of history will tell you, the past is truly a different country.

The conclusion I came down to after a lot of soul searching was that some souls are permitted a rebirth for a particular purpose. Some souls move on never to return to the place they left. Other souls, however, find themselves confronted by a past life they had either abandoned, suspended or never properly concluded.

For many years, I read and was interested in the idea and concept of prior existences, but I can’t say I found very many answers about who ‘I’ was… Until I did, that is. When I did find out who ‘I’ was, what shocked me even more was to discover a historical record of the existence of that person (who is long gone, by the way, five centuries ago).

Then, it hit me, that the soul that existed in that identity of the ego ahamkara is no more. I was not that person anymore. I would never be that person ever again. And who I am now in this incarnation is also a one-time event. I would never have the same parents, the same nationality or even the same name ever again. In the context of reincarnation, then, I still found myself asking; what is the purpose for this particular incarnation of mine? Is it something to do with ‘the past’ or am I meant to pursue something completely and entirely different in this life?

I pray that God will answer my question.

In the meantime, I’d like to discuss a concept that is well known amongst those who believe in the concept of reincarnation. Imagine a vast library containing the entire history of every soul. This is the concept of the Akashic Records, a treasure trove of knowledge accessible through various techniques. The Akashic Records is concept which exists in some spiritual and esoteric traditions. They are believed to be a vast energetic library that contains the entire history of the universe, including the thoughts, emotions, actions and experiences of every soul that has ever existed.

The Akashic Records are envisioned as a vast, universal library containing the entire history of everything that’s ever happened, that is happening and that is set to occur in the future. This includes not just external events, but also the details of each soul’s journey. Past lives, present experiences and even future possibilities are all believed to be imprinted on this energetic record. The concept suggests that our thoughts, emotions and actions leave a lasting mark on the universe. These imprints and impressions vasanas are recorded in the Akashic Records. Techniques like meditation, hypnosis and dream interpretation are said to be ways to access this library and unlock the secrets it holds about our own unique soul’s journey.

Deep Regression Techniques could potentially be a powerful tool even though I’ve never personally tried it. Under the gentle guidance of a trusted hypnotherapist, one can enter a profound state of relaxation, unlocking the hidden chambers of your subconscious. Past life memories might surface as vivid experiences, emotions or even visuals. Guided meditations specifically designed for past life exploration can also be transformative. By focusing on specific prompts and visualisations, you can embark on a journey back in time and encounter fragments of your past selves.

The key to unlocking past lives often lies within and requires the use of an assortment of introspective practices. Dream Interpretation is another powerful tool and one that anyone can tap into in a self-guided way. It requires that we pay close attention to recurring dreams, particularly those laden with intense emotions or a strong sense of déjà vu. Symbols, locations, and even characters within these dreams might hold clues to your past lives. To augment whether it is ‘real’ or a product of your imagination, you can research the historical periods or cultures reflected in your dreams and see if anything matches.

The world itself can offer clues to your past lives. Unexplained déjà vu can be a sign that your soul has been here before and recognises it on some level. Do you ever experience a feeling of overwhelming familiarity in a completely new environment? Research the history of the place and see if any details resonate with you. A cultural affinity could be a subconscious pull towards a past life experience. A deep fascination with a particular culture, its customs, clothing or language, could also be a sign. Immerse yourself in the history and traditions of these cultures. Do any of the details feel strangely familiar? Do you feel a pull and an attraction you simply cannot explain or ignore?

The exploration of past lives is a deeply personal journey. There’s no single path and the experiences you uncover from within yourself will be unique to you. Approach these methods with an open mind, a sense of reverence for the mystery and a willingness to learn from the whispers of your soul.

As you delve deeper, you might discover forgotten skills, past life relationships that influence your present ones and even the root of unexplained fears or phobias. Ultimately, the exploration of past lives is a tool for self-discovery and growth in this lifetime. Embrace the adventure and let the wisdom of your past selves guide you towards a more fulfilling present.

At the end of the day, however, as many a wise man and woman will tell you, it is not worth dwelling on the past, unless you aspire to be a historian. Sometimes, all we have to do is seize the moment… even if it means buying an ice cream that you really wanted so you can make yourself happy, even if it is only for five minutes.

Carpe diem!