Ewya Magazine Issue 4 November & December 2016 | Page 29

What’s Trending He was a prolific writer of mysticism and spiritualism. His interests centred on uncovering the laws behind psychic forces, somnambulism, magnetism and mesmerism, hypnotism, perception, and reincarnation. Past life therapist Dick Sutphen popularised therapeutic PLT in the early 1960’s. Public interest was further aroused by author Raymond Moody’s book “Life After Life” in which near-death experiences were discussed and in his next book “Coming Back” where he discussed nine of his past lives. In 1978 Dr Morris Netherton a practitioner with over 30 years of alternative health modalities introduced a method of PLT which does not involve hypnosis in his book “Past-Lives Therapy”. He was the first in his field to publish a book on this subject and has since published two other books on this subject. Netherton uses talk therapy; he isolates certain recurring phrases in a patient’s speech. He then repeats these phrases over and over until the patient can form a mental picture associated with the phrases. In this way, patients are able to recall memories of the past that are associated with the phrases. The Netherton Method does not use hypnosis but still accesses hypnotic states which are associated with traumatic events of past lives, as well as in vitro memories that may cause patterns that affect the way a person currently reacts to circumstances. Other people who contributed to PLT are Madame H.P. Blavatsky, the cofounder of the Theosophical Society, whom in essence was responsible for the reintroduction of reincarnation to the west. “The Book of the Spirits” published in 1857 by Allan Kardec introduces the idea of “spirits” who spoke through mesmerised patients about reincarnation and karma. Dr Denys Kelsey, co-authored with Joan Grant, published “Many Lifetimes” in 1967 which is the first book on PLT as we know it today. This book shows, with little doubt, that he was the first person to use regression. It focuses more on the therapeutic aspect of the technique than on anecdotal stories of relived experiences. The book triggered tussles between the predominantly spiritual and the developing scientific/clinical attitude towards the system of PLT. Do you need to believe in reincarnation? The belief in past lives is not necessary for the therapy to work. Even if you believe this is the only life you have the treatment can be beneficial on a soul level. Can I be hypnotised against my will? Hypnosis is a natural state which occurs when you fall asleep and no one can force you to attain a hypnotic state without your permission. A therapist facilitates you to achieve a hypnotic state. Can I be forced to do something I don’t want to do? Ethically a therapist is not allowed to force or suggest anything that is immoral. You can ask for the session to be taped if you are concerned. Your will is stronger than any suggestions that a therapist can give and if you truly don’t want to do something they cannot force you to do it. Will I be aware and remember what has happened during the session? During a PLT session, you are more aware than when you are awake. It is simply another state of being and you can still hear everything around you. If there is an emergency you will be instantly alert and able to take action. You will remember what has been learnt during the session, however, normally only what is valuable to this life will be clearly remembered. It feels almost like a dream and images may be fleeting. [email protected] 084-222-4298 Ewya Nov 2016 -29