Past Life Regression: What is it and How Does it Work?

Jovana Petrovic
18 Min Read
past life regression

We’re good at seeing strengths and weaknesses in others, but when it comes to acknowledging our own, it’s indeed challenging.

But if we can take a peek at our past lives and see our counterparts exhibiting the same behavioral pattern, making the same mistakes that we do, we can instantly acknowledge the degree of changes we need to make for our growth. 

Past life regression (PLR) is the key to connecting our present life with all our past lives for a bespoke objective assessment of our behaviors and decisions.

It offers you unique opportunities to understand patterns of behaviors, relationships, health issues, life purpose, talents, and recurring challenges.

You will be subjected to various methods to retrieve memories from past lifetimes to bring about healing and change.

If you are pursuing completion and wholeness through PLR, read this article to understand how it works and what benefits you can achieve with it with ease.   

What is Past Life Regression?

Past Life Regression (PLR) is a type of hypnotherapy that takes you through your previous lives or incarnations, allowing access to memories and experiences often suppressed or concealed in the subconscious mind. 

The PLR therapy works as a guide to retrieve those memories and find meaningful interpretations of them to rectify emotional and behavioral issues in your present life.

While Past Life Regression therapy was developed in the 1050s, the theory and ideas behind us can be dated thousands of years ago.

It is based on the concept of reincarnation, where it is believed that a person can be reborn in another body after death.

This idea existed in various religions and cultures, such as Shamanism, Norse Mythology, Native American, Druidism, Hinduism, and more.

Most cultures believe that once a person dies, their spirit goes through a series of processes with the purpose of spiritual growth and soul development. Some believe a soul can be rebirthed only after paying their karmic debts. 

The proof of reincarnation is also evident in various cases worldwide.

Dr. Jim Tucker’s book “Return to Life” accounts for some of the best cases of young children who have memories of their previous lives. 

Theories Supporting Past Life Regression

Reincarnation and karma in different cultures and religions

The concept of rebirth after death (reincarnation) is deeply rooted in various cultures and religions worldwide.

For instance, Hinduism and Buddhism believe that a soul can inhibit multiple bodies through different lifetimes before attaining moksha (nirvana).

It’s also a belief in Hinduism that our actions in this life influence the circumstances and experiences of our next subsequent life- the universal law of cause and effect (also known as karma).

Past life regression can offer a helicopter view of our past choices and their consequences to gain insight and resolve any karmic imbalances in our present life. 

reincarnation and karma religion

Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung proposed the term “Collective Conscious,” representing the vast spiritual heritage in our brain structure that we are unaware of and can not shape by experience.

You can say it’s a collective memory of consciousness borrowed from our ancestors.

By tapping into your collective consciousness, you can access your past life memories and acknowledge the correct path to personal growth in your present.  

Quantum physics and theories of consciousness

Though we have known for years that our consciousness and behavior are rooted in our material brain, quantum theory has something different to propose.

According to physicist Roger Penrose and anaesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, our consciousness is a quantum-mechanical phenomenon.

Some quantum theories suggest that consciousness is not limited to a physical body- it can transcend from your past lifetimes and hold information from your previous births.

Therefore, PLR can offer valuable insights into our current challenges, relationship turmoils, and many other behavior patterns in other aspects of our lives. 

How Does Past Life Regression Work? 

There are several ways to recall your past life. Sometimes it could be spontaneous while watching a movie or reading a book.

However, under a trained regression therapist, you enter a past life spontaneously through a hypnosis session. 

How does the session go?

First, your therapist will try to build a rapport with you through positive energy, environment, eye contact, and body language. Playing soft, neutral music in the background could also be helpful in some cases. 

After setting an ideal environment, your therapist will discuss your goals for the session to approach the language for induction and session accordingly.

Finally, you will be asked to establish a safe place in your imagination before approaching your past life.

This safe place would be your ideal bet to return to your reality if the past life memories are frightening or painful. 

Here is an example of a typical PLR process. 

Step 1: Inhale energy, release tension 

Close your eyes and take deep breaths for the next minute. Now, feel connected to the universe.

With each inhale, pull positive energy from the universe, and release tension from your body with each exhale.

While continuing that process, draw your attention inward and feel yourself getting into a deeper relaxing state as you progress. 

Step 2: Build a safe place

Imagine your favorite safe place. It could be your uncle’s house, the nearby church, or your mother’s lap, where you feel at ease.

Feel that comforting, positive energy. Realize that it has a special energy to open doors to your past; only you know how to access that through the deepest trance state of meditation. 

explore the hallway

Step 3: Explore the hallway 

As you continue to feel the energy, imagine a hallway showing up in front of you. It has many doors, each opening to a past life experience.

Explore the texture of the floor beneath you, the color of walls and doors. They will act as anchors to help you return to the same place from your past life. 

Step 4: Enter through the door 

Now choose one of the doors. On the count of three, slowly open the door and step into the other side.

As you go through, notice the environment, feel the energy, and, most importantly, stay curious and inquisitive throughout your journey. 

You can either watch your past life by being inside your past life avatar (associated) or may view the regression as a silent watcher (dissociated). 

Step 5: Crossing the bridge of time

Once you enter the door, you will dive back beyond the womb of this life to significant past life memories.

Your therapist will help you jump from one significant memory to another. The process will continue till s/he is able to discover your pattern and discover answers to your questions.    

Step 6: Contextualize and Exit 

Towards the end of the session, your therapist will summarize what happened in your past lives.

You will be advised to remember the wisdom, leaving all negativities behind in this dream state here. Soon, your therapist will close the subconscious door and will help you exit the dream and enter into the state of awake with eyes wide open.

Who Conducts Past Life Regression? 

Past Life Regression Therapy (PLRT) is conducted by a professional with experience in Regression Therapy or Hypnosis Therapy.

Some licensed therapists or psychotherapists can also integrate the Past Life Regression technique, provided they have undergone special training and own certification in Regression Therapy.

The Role of a Past Life Regression Therapist

The role of a certified therapist is to bring you into a deeply relaxed and hypnotic state to access your subconscious mind and uncover deeply rooted information about your past life.

Since the process could be emotionally challenging for you, the primary goal of your therapist is to create a safe and comfortable environment. 

the role of a past life regression therapists

You are at your most vulnerable state when you are hypnotized. Your therapist will likely gently push you from going too far in a trance. 

Once you are in the proper hypnotic state, your therapist will ask you guided questions, gradually letting you explore your past life and answer the questions more precisely.

The question or interrogation phase is a very crucial step in PLRT. This is where the true experience of a therapist shows.

A wrong question can ruin the whole session and lead the client in a whole new direction.

Meanwhile, cases of implanting false memory have also been reported in the past. That’s why a certified and reliable professional is of utmost importance.

The next step of the therapist is to note down all the details. Then analyze and interpret your past life memories related to your current life.

They work together with you in finding solutions to your current life issues by using the findings.

Necessary qualifications and skills of a past life regression therapist

While a degree and experience in regression therapy, hypnosis, and psychology are a must for a professional Past Life Regression Therapist, it would be even better if you found someone with the following:

  • Parapsychology
  • NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
  • IDT (Interacting Drawing Therapy)
  • Samadhi Therapy
  • Mediumship

The Therapeutic Benefits of Past Life Regression 

Past Life Regression Therapy is helpful in healing patients burdened with unexplained traumas, fears, and behavioral issues that have no link to their current life.  

With the help of a certified therapist and guidance, Past Life Regression Therapy can benefit you in the following ways:

Mental and Emotional Healing

PLRT can help you release years of trauma from your past, which may have led you to long-term depression, anxiety, anti-social and self-harming behavior. While some traumas are easily healed within a single session, some may require patience. 

Healing your fears and phobias

PLRT is known to uproot deep-rooted fears and phobias that have no connection to this life, yet hold you back from achieving your dreams or affecting your quality of life. 

Looking at life in a whole new way

Maybe, the reason you hate flying has nothing to do with being aerophobic. With PLR therapy, you can look at your issues from a whole new perspective and understand them more deeply.

Knowing the person you were in your past life also helps you understand your true purpose. This can pull you out of a slumber and see the whole world in a fresh perspective.

Being better in your relationships

Your past life can influence your relationship with others, affecting your persona. You may be wondering why you get bad vibes from certain people even though they have not done any harm to you yet. Who knows you both had a rift in your past life?

Finding your true purpose in life

With PLR, you can discover your true purpose through the lens of your past lives. People also come to know their unfinished business from the previous birth that still needs to be finished in this lifetime.

This helps you finally move forward with your major life decisions with a sense of pleasure and clarity.

Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding Past Life Regression 

The major criticism of PLRT has come to light during the infamous Satanic Ritual Abuse of the 1980s in the US.

Hundreds of abused victims went for hypnosis therapy to recover their repressed memories of what happened to them when they were young.

However, the FBI couldn’t find a shred of evidence to support these abuse allegations during their investigations. 

The thing is, the practice of Past Life Regression Therapy revolves around suggestibility.

The client usually accepts the suggestions of their therapist and acts on them. This leads to cases where false information was used to fill the gaps while recalling a scenario and retrieving a repressed memory.

Sometimes, a false memory may get implanted unintentionally by the therapist.

A simple suggestion such as “Were you a victim of abuse?” is enough to mislead you, and you feel like it has actually happened to you.

Experts believe that the information you retrieve during regression therapy is not necessarily linked to any past life memories.

The emotional turmoil you may experience during the session could be subjective, and your previous life could be a part of your fantasy.

In scientific terms, they are most likely cryptomnesia and confabulations, a combination of imagination, experience, and suggestion.

Hence, any benefits you received from this therapy cannot be considered evidence of the existence of reincarnation.

Although the scientific community doesn’t legally recognize PLR therapy, its effects on people who go through it are mostly positive.

According to the famous past life regression therapist Dr. Raymond Moody, the scientific proof of the existence of a past life doesn’t matter.

Patients have achieved deep-level healing in PLRT just by believing that they had a previous life, and that is what matters the most.

End Thoughts 

Your past is your asset, and your future is your strength. Indeed, past life regression helps you gain more insight from universal wisdom.

Information from your past lives helps you become mentally clear, emotionally calm, and spiritually awake for your highest good.

However, past memories may also come with a fair share of traumas, unbearable losses, and setbacks. Take only the wisdom, leaving behind the toxicity. Let your higher self to guide you!     

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can anyone undergo Past Life Regression Therapy?

Past Life Regression Therapy has some restrictions. It is not recommended for people with certain mental health conditions as severe anxiety disorders or schizophrenia.

Also, it can interfere with repressed memories of present life and confuse people (especially victims of abuse) to think of it as a memory of past life. So, it’s important to seek out the opinion of a qualified therapist to ensure your eligibility.

Do you have to believe in reincarnation to benefit from past life regression?

The entire therapy is based on the concept that past life trauma can affect you in your present life. So, believing in the existence of a past life or reincarnation plays a significant role. However, therapists have seen striking results even in skeptics. So, at this point, it is too early to come to a conclusion without conducting thorough research.

What are the chances of recovering past life memories?

The chances of recovering memories are subjective, and experience may vary among individuals. Some people may not recall their memories, while others only experienced them in fragments or vaguely.

Just because you cannot recall your past life doesn’t mean the session was a failure. Your therapist may ask you for a fresh session if they feel you see any positive signs. 

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Jovana Petrovic is a writer, holistic tarot reader, and traditional Western astrologer. She possesses clairaudient and clairvoyant abilities, which she uses to help others tap into their purpose, release old patterns, and realize their fullest potential. Her practice blends intuitive guidance with psychic tools, knowledge, and experience. As a graduate Pedagogist and spirituality enthusiast, Jovana uses her expertise to help people navigate through their spiritual awakening and heal their inner child. Besides tarot and astrology, she practices incorporating shadow work, self-love techniques, and chakra healing.