Talk of past lives on Oprah
So let me first start by saying, I’m not one of those people who is hanging on every word Oprah says, reading every book Oprah recommends, or lusting after “Oprah’s favorite things”. Although I’ve been watching Oprah before it was the Oprah show (it used to be called A.M. Chicago, only airing in Chicago), lately I’ve been a little turned off. But last week she finally caught my attention again.
Last Tuesday, Oprah had a show about past lives featuring renowned psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss. Weiss is a well published, sought after speaker who uses hypnosis to facilitate past life regression. My interest is twofold: I am definitely a little (ok, very) fascinated by the topic of reincarnation and, I personally attended lectures given by Dr. Weiss at the University of Miami as a psychology major.
Weiss’ first book, Many Lives, Many Masters is nothing short of mind blowing – even if you’re a total skeptic. And Only Love Is Real is pretty thought provoking too. But before you write me off as some new age, death obsessed zealot, I’m not saying I believe in all of this, or that I don’t. Just that I find it all very interesting.
Weiss himself was not a believer:
Dr. Weiss’s life changed forever when he took on a new patient named Catherine. “She was suffering from panic attacks, phobias, fears, nightmares,” he says. “She had begun sleeping in a large closet in her apartment because of fear.”
After a year of conventional psychiatric treatment with little progress, Dr. Weiss decided to try hypnosis, a therapy he’d used successfully before. Catherine was able to easily recall traumatic memories from her childhood. When he asked Catherine to go to the source of her pain, Dr. Weiss says he was shaken to his core—Catherine regressed back and started talking about living previous lives. (from Oprah.com)
I’ve mentioned before that Judaism leaves the door a little open when it comes to this topic. And even if this belief went against Jewish beliefs, I’m not sure I could quell my curiosity. Dr. Weiss also happens to be Jewish. So tell me what you think. What’s your take on past lives? Do you think it’s possible? And how does it fit into your faith?
Kim Wallis, 33, currently facilitates Rosh Chodesh groups for Jewish teenage girls in the St. Louis area. A graduate of the University of Miami, she worked in asset management for several years and now teaches Pilates part-time. Originally from Chicago, Kim is starting to feel at home in St. Louis with her husband, toddler daughter and infant son. 
I’ve trained with Dr. Weiss and find this aspect of hypnosis the most fascinating. Look for part two on Oprah June 17th.
http://www.RareHypnosisbooks.com
http://www.safefunhypnosis.com