This slideshow reviews five different proofs for reincarnation and evaluates their validity. Case studies of children who remember past lives will be presented.
1. Transmigration ofTransmigration of
SoulsSouls
Research Methods, Findings,Research Methods, Findings,
MetaphysicsMetaphysics
Kindly silence all cell phones and alarmKindly silence all cell phones and alarm
devicesdevices
2. Course GuideCourse Guide
Reincarnation: A Survey ofReincarnation: A Survey of
Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence
Spring, 2010Spring, 2010
Instructor: Allen Ernst, MSInstructor: Allen Ernst, MS
Section: PSYC 104 E01Section: PSYC 104 E01
Office Room: WCCU 1860Office Room: WCCU 1860
Days: W 5:30 pm-7:00 pm; no class onDays: W 5:30 pm-7:00 pm; no class on
3/243/24 Phone: 303-325-6895Phone: 303-325-6895
Classroom: SJC Room 1908Classroom: SJC Room 1908
3. E-mail:E-mail: ernsta@sanjuancollege.eduernsta@sanjuancollege.edu
SUGGESTED TEXT: LIFE BEFORESUGGESTED TEXT: LIFE BEFORE
LIFE: CHILDREN'S MEMORIES OFLIFE: CHILDREN'S MEMORIES OF
PREVIOUS LIVES, JIM B. TUCKER,PREVIOUS LIVES, JIM B. TUCKER,
ISBN-10: 031237674X OR ISBN-13: 978-ISBN-10: 031237674X OR ISBN-13: 978-
0312376741; AVAILABLE ONLINE.0312376741; AVAILABLE ONLINE.
Description: We explore theDescription: We explore the
research and experimental designsresearch and experimental designs
over the last century, review caseover the last century, review case
studies for validity, consider rebirthstudies for validity, consider rebirth
ideas around the world, andideas around the world, and
experience an appropriateexperience an appropriate
consensual group exercise.consensual group exercise.
4. ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: StudentsStudents
who believe they may need academicwho believe they may need academic
accommodations due to physical,accommodations due to physical,
psychiatric or learning disabilities arepsychiatric or learning disabilities are
encouraged to inform their appropriateencouraged to inform their appropriate
faculty as soon as possible. If you havefaculty as soon as possible. If you have
special needs for campus emergencyspecial needs for campus emergency
situations, please inform us immediately. Ifsituations, please inform us immediately. If
you have not already done so, we suggestyou have not already done so, we suggest
you contact Jackie McFarland in theyou contact Jackie McFarland in the
Advising/Counseling Center at (505)566-Advising/Counseling Center at (505)566-
3271 or at3271 or at
mcfarlandj@sanjuancollege.edumcfarlandj@sanjuancollege.edu
5. SCHEDULE MATRIX
WEEK LECTURE CONTENT READING TESTING
1 FEB. 17 COURSE OVERVIEW; REINCARNATION DEFINED; WORLD PREVALENCE; DEJA-VU
VALIDITY AND DEJA-VU VIDEO
CHAPTER 1
2 FEB. 24 HYPNOTIC REGRESSION: DISASTERS AND BREAKTHROUGHS SNOW HANDOUT
3 MAR. 03 CHILDREN AND SPONTANEOUS RECALL CHAPTERS 2,5
4 MAR. 10 ODD BEHAVIORS, RECOGNITION, CHAPTERS 6,7
5 MAR. 17 BIRTH MARK & DEFECT EVIDENCE CHAPTER 4,9 QUIZ I
SPRING HOLIDAY AND SPRING BREAK
6 MAR. 31 THE PAST LIFE EXPERIMENT AND XENOGLOSSY HANDOUT, CH. 10
7 APR. 07 INTERREGNUM: BETWEEN LIVES CHAPTER 8
8 APR. 14 THEODICY: REINCARNATION & THE PROBLEM OF EVIL HERMAN HANDOUT
9 APR. 21 GROUP EXERCISE—TO BE ANNOUNCED
10 APR. 28 EXERCISE: PLAN OUR NEXT LIFE KIT & WRAP-UP NEXT LIFE KIT QUIZ II
7. Review of Types of EvidenceReview of Types of Evidence
DDééjjà Vuà Vu
Hypnotic RegressionHypnotic Regression
Xenoglossy (tongues)Xenoglossy (tongues)
Spontaneous RecallSpontaneous Recall
Birthmark CorrelatesBirthmark Correlates
Past Life ExperimentPast Life Experiment
8. Review of Types of EvidenceReview of Types of Evidence
DDééjjà Vuà Vu
Hypnotic RegressionHypnotic Regression
Xenoglossy (tongues)Xenoglossy (tongues)
Spontaneous RecallSpontaneous Recall
Birthmark CorrelatesBirthmark Correlates
Past Life ExperimentPast Life Experiment
9. Déjà Vu: Who Were You?Déjà Vu: Who Were You?
““A sense of preexistence”-William JamesA sense of preexistence”-William James
Sense of “emotional weirdness”Sense of “emotional weirdness”
Evoked by stimuli--situationalEvoked by stimuli--situational
SpontaneousSpontaneous
Sensory information processed at differentSensory information processed at different
timestimes
ButBut--no veridical evidence--no veridical evidence
10. déjà vu—Jeffrey Keenedéjà vu—Jeffrey Keene
Jeffrey Keene; Firefighter for 35 YearsJeffrey Keene; Firefighter for 35 Years
Drawn to nearby battlefield at AntietamDrawn to nearby battlefield at Antietam
Stimulus: Arrived at “sunken road”Stimulus: Arrived at “sunken road”
Had a strong, undefined reactionHad a strong, undefined reaction
Found past-life personalityFound past-life personality
Possible evidential materialPossible evidential material
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQHp9bGVDB8&feature=related
12. Past Life RegressionPast Life Regression
Hypnosis to age regression and beyondHypnosis to age regression and beyond
Within lifetime age regression and lawWithin lifetime age regression and law
enforcement and jurisprudenceenforcement and jurisprudence
Subject wants to please experimenterSubject wants to please experimenter
Leading questions and innuendoesLeading questions and innuendoes
Reports of sexual abuses from “therapy”Reports of sexual abuses from “therapy”
WebsiteWebsite
13. Past Life Regression: The case ofPast Life Regression: The case of
Bridey MurphyBridey Murphy
Morey Bernstein and Virginia TigheMorey Bernstein and Virginia Tighe
Searching for Bridey Murphy,Searching for Bridey Murphy,
““Bridey” emerged from regression, gaveBridey” emerged from regression, gave
biographical data in 1952biographical data in 1952
““Data” matched neighbor Bridie MurphyData” matched neighbor Bridie Murphy
CorkellCorkell
““Data” possibly gleaned from two half-IrishData” possibly gleaned from two half-Irish
parentsparents
Few veridical matches from IrelandFew veridical matches from Ireland
14. Morris Netherton, PhD.Morris Netherton, PhD.
Past Lives Therapy,Past Lives Therapy, 19781978
Director, Crisis InterventionDirector, Crisis Intervention
ProgramProgram
Seminar and motivationalSeminar and motivational
speaker, regressionspeaker, regression
therapisttherapist
Public demonstration, ValPublic demonstration, Val
Morin, Quebec, 1988Morin, Quebec, 1988
Historical anachronismsHistorical anachronisms
Efficacy of TherapyEfficacy of Therapy
15. Looking for Carroll BeckwithLooking for Carroll Beckwith
Robert L. Snow, Capt. IndianapolisRobert L. Snow, Capt. Indianapolis
Homicide DivisionHomicide Division
One regression sessionOne regression session
Three experiential personas foundThree experiential personas found
One traceable to veridical evidenceOne traceable to veridical evidence
Appeared to be artist in 1800’sAppeared to be artist in 1800’s
Enumerated 28 observationsEnumerated 28 observations
Located a painting, ID’d artistLocated a painting, ID’d artist
Matched observations to archivedMatched observations to archived
news clippings and diariesnews clippings and diaries
16. Past Life Regression TherapyPast Life Regression Therapy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCT1c9Wkswohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCT1c9Wkswo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhI4TPB-
uUY&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhI4TPB-
uUY&feature=related
18. • Definition: The speaking of languages unknown
to the subject in their normal state.
• Recitive xenoglossy: Simple recitation of words
or word strings
• Responsive xenoglossy: Subject is able to
respond to questions or converse with the
researcher
• Modes: Q’s in native tongue, responses in
unknown tongue
Xenoglossy (Tongues)
19. Xenoglossy: TypesXenoglossy: Types
Modes, cont’d: Q’s posed in unknownModes, cont’d: Q’s posed in unknown
tongue(s), responses in unknown tonguestongue(s), responses in unknown tongues
Q’s posed in unknown tongues, subject’sQ’s posed in unknown tongues, subject’s
responses in native tongueresponses in native tongue
EvidenceEvidence
Earwitness accountsEarwitness accounts
RecordingsRecordings
Linguistic AnalysisLinguistic Analysis
What language?What language?
Is speech appropriate to historical period?Is speech appropriate to historical period?
20. Xenoglossy: TypesXenoglossy: Types
Linguistic analysis cont’dLinguistic analysis cont’d
Is speech appropriate to social class?Is speech appropriate to social class?
Rival TheoriesRival Theories
Learned from environmentLearned from environment
PossessionPossession
Extra Sensory PerceptionExtra Sensory Perception
Wants to please the experimenter in hypn.Wants to please the experimenter in hypn.
Racial memoryRacial memory
Discarnate entityDiscarnate entity
21. Xenoglossy: The case ofXenoglossy: The case of
“Rosemary”“Rosemary”
Frederick H. Wood and “Rosemary” inFrederick H. Wood and “Rosemary” in TheThe
Egyptian MiracleEgyptian Miracle in 1939in 1939
Wood was researcher for The Society forWood was researcher for The Society for
Psychic ResearchPsychic Research
““Rosemary was an anonymous woman inRosemary was an anonymous woman in
England, was subject in hypnoticEngland, was subject in hypnotic
regressionregression
1,000 language tests by Mr. Hulme1,000 language tests by Mr. Hulme
Recitative xenoglossy at firstRecitative xenoglossy at first
Responsive xenoglossy, all modesResponsive xenoglossy, all modes
22. Xenoglossy: The case ofXenoglossy: The case of
“Rosemary”“Rosemary”
Language: Ancient EgyptianLanguage: Ancient Egyptian
Speech appropriate to XXVIII DynastySpeech appropriate to XXVIII Dynasty
Vocab. Appropriate for social classVocab. Appropriate for social class
However, scholars have no record ofHowever, scholars have no record of
spoken Ancient Egyptianspoken Ancient Egyptian
Subject had no Egyptian backgroundSubject had no Egyptian background
Rival TheoriesRival Theories
Possession? ESP? Discarnate entity?Possession? ESP? Discarnate entity?
23. Hypnotic Regression: DisastersHypnotic Regression: Disasters
Child sexual abuseChild sexual abuse
Hypnotically implanted memoriesHypnotically implanted memories
Clever HansClever Hans
24. Hypnotic Regression: DisastersHypnotic Regression: Disasters
Clever HansClever Hans was a horse that waswas a horse that was
claimed to have been able to performclaimed to have been able to perform
arithmetic and other intellectual tasks.arithmetic and other intellectual tasks.
After formal
investigation in 1907,
psychologist Oskar
Pfungst
demonstrated that
the horse was not
actually performing
these mental tasks,
but was watching the
reaction of his human
observers.
26. Three Levels of IntermissionsThree Levels of Intermissions
Population I: General evolution; noPopulation I: General evolution; no
individual life plan; undirected and shortindividual life plan; undirected and short
intermission; a new life close to the old inintermission; a new life close to the old in
time and distancetime and distance
Population II: Personal development; aPopulation II: Personal development; a
personal life plan with mainly personalpersonal life plan with mainly personal
development goals and personaldevelopment goals and personal
settlement of karmic relations; somesettlement of karmic relations; some
retrospect; some consultation and someretrospect; some consultation and some
foresight in the intermission; awareness offoresight in the intermission; awareness of
27. Three Levels of IntermissionsThree Levels of Intermissions
Population II: the intermission; personal tiesPopulation II: the intermission; personal ties
with other peoplewith other people
Population III: Personal contribution toPopulation III: Personal contribution to
greater developments; personal learninggreater developments; personal learning
and working objectives; consciousand working objectives; conscious
deliberation in the intermission; at times adeliberation in the intermission; at times a
guide for incarnates; a new life linked toguide for incarnates; a new life linked to
friends and associates; rein. As a freefriends and associates; rein. As a free
choicechoice
28. Ian Stevenson, M.D.Ian Stevenson, M.D.
U. Virginia PsychiatryU. Virginia Psychiatry
Compiled 2500 casesCompiled 2500 cases
Spontaneous recallSpontaneous recall
Birthmark correlatesBirthmark correlates
290 Publications290 Publications
Collected cases inCollected cases in
India, Thailand,India, Thailand,
Lebanon, USA, SriLebanon, USA, Sri
Lanka, BurmaLanka, Burma
29. Spontaneous Recall-MethodologySpontaneous Recall-Methodology
Qualify a prospective caseQualify a prospective case
Standardized interview for subjectStandardized interview for subject
Interview family of present personalityInterview family of present personality
Interview family of past personalityInterview family of past personality
Other firsthand witnessesOther firsthand witnesses
Ferret out prior knowledgeFerret out prior knowledge
Observations of unusual behavior by Sub.Observations of unusual behavior by Sub.
Correlate Sub’s reports with known factsCorrelate Sub’s reports with known facts
30.
31. Case Study: Hanan MansourCase Study: Hanan Mansour
Farouk & Hanan Mansour lived inFarouk & Hanan Mansour lived in
LebanonLebanon
Hanan dies in USA—Tries to contact LeilaHanan dies in USA—Tries to contact Leila
Farouk remarries to GalarehFarouk remarries to Galareh
Suzanne Ghanem—recollection in infancySuzanne Ghanem—recollection in infancy
Meets Farouk, family, utterances correlateMeets Farouk, family, utterances correlate
Suzanne Ghanem & Farouk—close tiesSuzanne Ghanem & Farouk—close ties
Family discord with GalarehFamily discord with Galareh
General family discordGeneral family discord
Suzanne Ghanem never marriesSuzanne Ghanem never marries
34. Is this Attention-Seeking?Is this Attention-Seeking?
10 Days between death and birth10 Days between death and birth
Anxious intrusions in infancyAnxious intrusions in infancy
Sadness in childhoodSadness in childhood
Friction in “second” birth familyFriction in “second” birth family
Violated social norms in “first” familyViolated social norms in “first” family
Upset Mr. Mansour’s second wifeUpset Mr. Mansour’s second wife
Subject “jilted” by second wifeSubject “jilted” by second wife
Subject never married in this lifeSubject never married in this life
35. Stevenson’s sample featuresStevenson’s sample features
29-78% subjects—Previous Pers. Violent death; this vs.29-78% subjects—Previous Pers. Violent death; this vs.
5-6% of normal population5-6% of normal population
51% solved, 49% unsolved51% solved, 49% unsolved
Most common mode: homicideMost common mode: homicide
Previous & Present Personalities lived 45 km apartPrevious & Present Personalities lived 45 km apart
Previous Personality more frequently higher castePrevious Personality more frequently higher caste
Interviewed subject 18 mos. after the previous P. andInterviewed subject 18 mos. after the previous P. and
Present P.’s families metPresent P.’s families met
Families met: 77% statement accuracyFamilies met: 77% statement accuracy
Did not meet 78% statements correctDid not meet 78% statements correct
Recall statements: average range 3-8 years oldRecall statements: average range 3-8 years old
Phobias: 50% from violent death sample of 252 casesPhobias: 50% from violent death sample of 252 cases
27% of subject’s mothers and 23% fathers suppressed27% of subject’s mothers and 23% fathers suppressed
Of 616 cases, rebirth interval is 15 monthsOf 616 cases, rebirth interval is 15 months
38. Birthmarks and DeformitiesBirthmarks and Deformities
Experimental Birthmarks:Experimental Birthmarks:
Family marks dying or dead,Family marks dying or dead,
often with soot or pasteoften with soot or paste
Marker often says a prayerMarker often says a prayer
while marking, asking thewhile marking, asking the
mark be taken to a new bodymark be taken to a new body
A child is later born in theA child is later born in the
community with a matchingcommunity with a matching
mark in the same locationmark in the same location
15/18 cases same family15/18 cases same family
Practiced in Burma, ThailandPracticed in Burma, Thailand
39. Jim B. Tucker, M.D.Jim B. Tucker, M.D.
Child Psychiatrist, U. ofChild Psychiatrist, U. of
VirginiaVirginia
Meta-analysis of StevensonMeta-analysis of Stevenson
datadata
Causal effects of birthmarkCausal effects of birthmark
datadata
Collected data from USACollected data from USA
40. Case Study: Purnima EkanayakeCase Study: Purnima Ekanayake
Birthmarks; carryover from past traumaBirthmarks; carryover from past trauma
Female, born in Sri LankaFemale, born in Sri Lanka
Recognized Kelaniya temple on TVRecognized Kelaniya temple on TV
Temple site evoked Past Personality dataTemple site evoked Past Personality data
Lived on other side of river from templeLived on other side of river from temple
Made Ambiga and Geta Pichcha incenseMade Ambiga and Geta Pichcha incense
Sold incense sticks on a bicycleSold incense sticks on a bicycle
Killed in an accident with a big vehicleKilled in an accident with a big vehicle
20 statements: 14 correct, 3 misses20 statements: 14 correct, 3 misses
41. Purnima Ekanayake cont’d.Purnima Ekanayake cont’d.
Past Personality (Jinadasa) autopsyPast Personality (Jinadasa) autopsy
report:report:
Fractured ribs L, ruptured spleen,Fractured ribs L, ruptured spleen,
abrasions running diagonally R shoulderabrasions running diagonally R shoulder
to L abdomento L abdomen
Corresponded to birthmarks over chestCorresponded to birthmarks over chest
and ribs in Present Personality (Purnima)and ribs in Present Personality (Purnima)
35% of Subjects show phobia related to a35% of Subjects show phobia related to a
previous life.previous life.
According to the NIMH, between 8.7% andAccording to the NIMH, between 8.7% and
42. Figure 8. Severely malformed ear
(microtia) in a Turkish boy
who said that he remembered the life of a
man who was
fatally wounded on the right side of the
head by a gun
discharged at close range.
43. Figure 3. Large verrucous epidermal
nevus on head of a
Thai man who as a child said he
remembered the life of his
paternal uncle, who was killed with a blow
on the head from
a heavy knife.
44. Figure 9. Almost absent fingers
(brachydactyly) on one
hand in a boy of India who said he
remembered the life of a
boy of another village who had put his
hand into the blades
of a fodder-chopping machine and had its
fingers amputated
46. The Past LifeThe Past Life
ExperimentExperiment
•Recap:
•Carry over conscious
memories
•Carry over birthmarks
and deformities
•Carry over emotions
and phobias
•BUT What is the
vehicle?
47. The Past LifeThe Past Life
Experiment:Experiment:
ExperimentalExperimental
DesignDesign
•Subject in Blue Light
•Shroud covers torso
•Musical selection
plays
•Observers call out
visual impressions
50. Energy Envelope ExperimentEnergy Envelope Experiment
Hands unfolded in lapHands unfolded in lap
Feet flat on the floor, 6 inches apartFeet flat on the floor, 6 inches apart
52. St and and Del i ver :St and and Del i ver :
Have we a Unified Theory??Have we a Unified Theory??
Ticklers:Ticklers:
Is the processIs the process
predestined or willful?predestined or willful?
Announcing dreamsAnnouncing dreams
BirthmarksBirthmarks
Stated purpose forStated purpose for
choosing a familychoosing a family
What happened toWhat happened to
Karma?Karma?
54. Three Reincarnation PatternsThree Reincarnation Patterns
Population I:Population I:
General evolutionGeneral evolution
NO individual L.P.NO individual L.P.
Undirected andUndirected and
short interregnumshort interregnum
A new life close toA new life close to
old in time andold in time and
distancedistance
Population II:Population II:
Personal develop.Personal develop.
Personal L.P.Personal L.P.
Personal devPersonal dev
GoalsGoals
Settlement ofSettlement of
Karmic relationsKarmic relations
SomeSome
retrospectionretrospection
Some consultationSome consultation
55. Population III: WherePopulation III: Where YouYou Want toWant to
Be!Be!
Personal contribution to greater developmentPersonal contribution to greater development
Personal learning and working objectivesPersonal learning and working objectives
Conscious deliberation in the InterregnumConscious deliberation in the Interregnum
At times a guide for incarnatesAt times a guide for incarnates
A new life linked to those of friends andA new life linked to those of friends and
associatesassociates
Reincarnation as a free choiceReincarnation as a free choice
56. Your Balance SheetYour Balance Sheet
AssetsAssets
Devel. intelligenceDevel. intelligence
Moral sense andMoral sense and
competencecompetence
Relations ofRelations of
respect,respect,
acceptance, trustacceptance, trust
Meritorious actsMeritorious acts
LiabilitesLiabilites
Karmic relationsKarmic relations
TraumasTraumas
PsychologicalPsychological
reactionsreactions
Abuse of powerAbuse of power
RemedialRemedial
interventionsinterventions
Complicated relat.Complicated relat.
58. Some of Robert Snow’s ItemsSome of Robert Snow’s Items
1. Did he paint the portrait of the1. Did he paint the portrait of the
woman with the hunchback?woman with the hunchback?
2. Did he die in 1917?2. Did he die in 1917?
3. Did he die in the fall of the year?3. Did he die in the fall of the year?
4. Did he die in a large city?4. Did he die in a large city?
5. Did he live during the 195. Did he live during the 19thth
Century?Century?
6. Did he and his wife spend some6. Did he and his wife spend some
time in France?time in France?
8. Did he paint portraits but hate8. Did he paint portraits but hate
doing it?doing it?