From sex and relationships, to confusion about career and life choices, to those persistent and pesky maladies of the mind like anxiety and depression, past-life regression therapy can heal the mind and body.
Past-life regression is a form of therapy commonly known as hypnotherapy. But hypnotherapy, in my opinion, is just a term for a philosophy that has the potential to go much deeper.
What is typically referred to as a state of hypnosis comes with a lot of stigmas and preconceived notions. The layperson has come to see hypnosis as a trance-like state, much like a zombie. In actuality, however, the state we are in which, is known as hypnosis, or being hypnotized, is really more about a state of being relaxed and focused in the present moment. It is about being more aware of our breath and being in tune with our creative energy, our life force, and our bodies. It is the same state we are in when we are reading a book intently, playing a video game, watching a movie, or driving. In this state, we are highly focused but still very conscious.
This state of “hypnosis” is also considered to be a highly suggestible state, when we retain more information. It is the state in which we are relaxed, and our overly analytical mind is shut off and our creative mind can take over. It is a state in which our awareness of our true nature, our true state of being, is most observable and noticeable. It is when we are most connected to our unconscious. It is very similar to the state we are in right before we fall asleep.
This state, when purposefully prolonged, is what is also known as a mindful or meditative state.
Mindfulness and meditation are the basic tenets of traditional yoga. Anyone who has practiced yoga for any length of time, regardless of the style in which it was taught, can probably recognize where and how it has increased their focus and their intention and made them more relaxed and present. This is also known as being mindful, and the state is one that is known as meditative. Mindfulness training is also very useful in helping individuals learn to stay in the present. Staying in the present in and of itself can heal tricks of the mind such as addiction, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive issues, as well as seemingly psychosomatic issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and a slew of other arousal disorders, which may appear during the physical act of sex.
Learning to stay focused on the present moment is mindfulness. Learning to stay focused on the breath and our body is key in meditation. These are often missing in our day-to-day lives when we are faced with anxiety and depression, which can lead to the aforementioned maladies.
In past-life regression and hypnotherapy, all of the techniques described here may be utilized, but mindfulness and mediation are not necessarily taught. A psychotherapist who is also trained in hypnotherapy, past-life regression, and yoga or meditation can take it one step further and encourage the client to pay attention to the body and breath. The client is attuned to the breath and the body and learns to stay in the present moment, while also becoming keenly aware of any underlying unconscious concepts and ideas, whether from the present day or from the past. Past-life regression may even draw on other periods in history an individual may feel connected to. The key work being done in regression therapy is insight and understanding of connections and links from past, present, body, and mind.
I call this practice of combining meditation and mindfulness with psychotherapy and past-life regression “Mindful Regression Therapy.” It is a technique I have found to be highly useful in unveiling longstanding feelings and emotions, as well as old hidden traumas that sometimes are affecting people in their present-day lives, in their relationships, in their careers, in their financial matters, and so on. By making connections between mind and body and between past and present, the individual can gain insight into inner truths, which are sometimes masked by the overly analytical mind.
Because Mindful Regression Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that also pulls from hypnotherapy techniques, yoga, meditation, and the like it is important to recognize that the whole process takes time.
Mindful Regression Therapy is not quick; it often takes place over a span of months, as it requires the client and the therapist to build a rapport in which the client feels comfortable and safe in the therapist’s presence. If the client is holding back, this may suggest that it is not the right time yet. Processing before and after the regression sessions is key.
Mindful Regression Therapy can also be done with couples. This is a more sensitive process, as the likelihood of clients censoring their true selves around their partner may hinder the process. Again, taking time to move through the process is key in seeing long-term effects.
The process can be done in groups as well and can help to build an overall group consciousness. This is commonly seen in yoga classes. Kundalini yoga is a form of yoga that is very much in tune with the mindfulness and meditation philosophies and can also heal many psychological ailments through breath and focus.
Related articles:
7 Steps for Talking Your Way to a Better Sex Life
9 Ways to Be Present and Practice Everyday Mindfulness
The Courage to Connect: Therapy and Sex Addiction
© Copyright 2012 GoodTherapy.org. All rights reserved.
The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.
