When those interested in discovering their past lives actually decide to try regression it can be done in two forms. Either hypnosis or meditation - a form of self- induced hypnosis. Meditation is the procedure often taken on by alternative, or natural healers. Once in the regression, the past life has a course of its own that must be followed. There is no way to control the past life except by 'time jumping' where the subject talks of early memories, happy memories, prominate memories and eventually death. The death scene for many subjects must be treated with the most extreme care, as it is can be a traumatic experience (even the second time around).

Although the subjects are seeing their past lives consciously for the first time they can have the intense feeling of deja vu. This feeling of deja vu makes the subject question the fact if this is really a past life or a childhood memory forgotten. After regression there have been cases documented where homesickness can occur for the past life, although this can be resolved with further sessions or resolution of the past.

The past life regression may be viewed from through two distinct perspectives: that of first person or third person. Although there are two different perspectives within the one regression session, both perspectives can be used or 'viewed'. Seeing ones past life was once described as watching a movie on bad quality film. In most documented cases the regression has been viewed through the first person perspective. Thus, making the past life seem even more personal and 'belonging' to the person regressed.

The concept of regression and reincarnationis not only intriguing but it can also be beneficial to ones mental and physical health. One documented case spoke of a woman virtually crippled by severe arthritis. This woman also had emotional issues with guilt and meanness. Once under regression hypnotist it was found that this woman had once been a male doctor during medieval times. Instead of healing, this doctor enjoyed inflicting pain. In the next life it was found the woman was, once again, a mean spirited person. Locked in a monastery cellar, this woman (in this life a monk) became crippled with arthritis and died a lonely death. Presently, in this life, the woman now found she suffered the worse arthritis when in a mean spirited mood. Once the past lives had been dealt with the woman knew the cause of her pain and set out to fix the wrongs created from her past lives. This is known as Karma; the force produced by a person's actions, therefore determining their future existence.

After past life regression has taken place there may be a genuine improvement within the subjects mental, or physical, state. The term 'Catharsis' seems to be the most fitting term within these cases: a psychological process, in which pent-up emotions are finally expressed. The expression of these emotions can result in an enormous feeling of relief, as the topic has been approached, dealt with and resolved.

Regressions develop through emotional aspects, not historical time frames. Because many people that have regressed to their past lives cannot remember the time frame the imagery of their clothing and surroundings may have to be used to determine their status and where they are situated. Past lives aren't always exciting experiences. There are no Joan of Arc's or Kings of England cases documented. Although there has been a victim of the Titanic regressed usually the regression cases documented are of the peasant or mundane folk, living their everyday lives. Once a subject has taken on the task of regressing it becomes easier with each regression and time.

The possibility of seeing those we know within a past life regression is a chance that is very real. Although those we know may not appear their present day form, recognition through the senses is possible. So, you may not be able to recognise the person visually, but by some sixth sense you will know it is them.

People often believe there is a risk in being regressed to a past life. There is no chance you can be left in your past life, or feel the after affects of revisiting that time again. If the regression is dealt with in a professional manner, there is no risk of damage to the personality of this present life.

There is to be a great deal learned from our past lives, only if we take the time to do so. Being interested in this topic and feeling my research had concluded nothing of fact (to my mind) I decided to take the chance and try regression myself. I found a qualified person to take me back to my past life, so I was comfortable and trusting. You must feel open to the concept of reincarnation, as it makes the regression process easier. There have been cases where people haven't been able to be regressed because they were not open to the idea. There is also the matter of being a 'young' soul, which means there may be no important message for you to gain from your mistakes at this moment in the circle of phases as you have not lived many lives before.

The lady that followed and guided me through the process of the regression, Amanda, shared her first past life experience with me. She also gave me the advice that "you just have to trust it (the regression)…allow trust to flow. The more to can let yourself experience what is to take place, the better the experience will be."

Amanda shared with me her first past life regression. Beginning by telling me that she was almost 'obsessed' by mental illness and there was no obvious cause for it in her present day life, Amanda decided to try past life therapy. " I thought that was pretty strange," commented Amanda "as no one in my family had a history of mental illness."

The first image Amanda had from her regression was experiencing herself being dragged down the corridor of a mental hospital.
" I was living in middle America, and I was a mother of four. I was pretty isolated on a farm with a husband. The kids had all grown up and left home. He (my husband) had moved into the barn and he didn't speak to me. I got really crazy one day, just out of the blue. Screaming "I'm going mad". (there was) No one to talk to. I got hysterical, he knocked me out, threw me in the car. He took me down to the doctor, and they had me incarcerated. I couldn't get out until my kids found out and came and got me. And you can imagine back then there were no communication people.
I was in there for months. I was in a mental hospital, but I wasn't mad. So I got really friendly with the nurses, who could all see I was reasonably sane. I got to be friends with the inmates and I was like a 'go between' between both of them. I helped them with the difficult patients and speak to them. I knew what it was like to be locked up. It always stayed with me, whenever I saw a movie or read a book about someone being locked up in a mental hospital, it was like I felt like that had happened to me (in this life). But it didn't"

This past life experience helped Amanda deal with her 'obsession' with the mental health of people. After this experience Amanda was still interested in the topic of mental health, but not to the extent she was before.

Amanda explained the process of the regression to me in steps. First I should relax enough so my brain wave pattern shows that I am almost in a dream like state. Then Amanda will count down to five, then I will find myself walking up a staircase. At the top of this stair case there would be a gate. Once I had reached the ideal, relaxed state I will open the gates and find myself in a secret place. A place only I know about and can share with others. Here I will invite my sprit guide to help me and answer my questions. The guide is there to keep my save and protected from all harmful things in the universe and through the course of the regression.

Nodding, while getting myself into a comfortable position I feel ready to begin exploring this age -old concept of man. Gradually Amanda counts down to 1 and I am at the bottom of the staircase. I feel myself wanting to draw back from the experience, but the need to know within me is obviously too great. I reach the top of the stairs and am surprised to find a large, black, wrought iron gate at the top. Covered with ivy and delicate flowers, I already know this will lead to my place. Reaching my secrete place I can feel the soft prickle of pine needles under my bare feet. The air is lightly scented with pine and in the middle of this area I see a tiny pond. The water is clear, I can see water moss moving about on the rocks it has anchored its self to. Amanda gently tells me to invite my guide to my place. I do so willingly, knowing I will like this person and accept them, with no questions asked.

Amanda tells me to tell the sprit what I wish to see. Having a reaction to the incense 'nag champna' (I get severe nightmares from the smell alone) I wish to find out the cause of this affliction. I ask my guide but she say I am not ready to know yet. A gentle hand on my upper arm lets me know she is not being spiteful, merely protecting me. I accept this well. Amanda asks the outcome and I tell her. Amanda asks me to ask my sprit if there is a past life I can see. I ask my guide this simple question, but I am so relaxed in my place I don't know if I really wish to leave. Anyway, my sprit nods. I begin my regression.

The first impression I have is being in a dark, dank, damp, cramped area. I believe it is a cellar. I am scared here, and my arm is in great pain. Like it has been broken and torn. I know I am young, but I can't determine my age. I think I'm about 4 to 7 years of age. A man comes in, dressed in linked armour. I shrink away from him, I know it is he that has hurt me so much. I think he is in an army of sorts.

Amanda asks me to move on in my life time and I do so. The next image I have is of myself, now grown, although I am still quite young by today's standards. I am living in a hut that is made from wood and in dire need of repair. I see myself dancing out in a dirt area with my two children. A boy, of about 7 years of age, and a girl about 4. I cannot see my husband, but I know he is close by, watching over us. He is a worker of the land. I have long brown hair, with fair skin. I'm tall, almost too skinny for my height. Dressed poorly I know I am not one of great wealth. I have none of my features I hold in this life, but I know it is me. I know great enjoyment, here with my family. Moving on to events later in the day. I am seated around a rough form, I know to be our table. We are eating a small meal of grains.

Asking me to move on in time in my life, Amanda leads me further into my life. I feel sad, as I am losing my daughter. She is now of child baring age but she is not one destined to be a wife. Her destiny is with the church, and as the nuns lead her away I feel a great sadness, but I also feel joy for my daughter in her vocation. My son is no longer with us. I have no real impression of where he is, but he is a child to be proud of. My husband is still alive and there is a great depth of understanding between us.

I move on again in my lifetime, but there is to be no more after this memory. I am dying. My husband is already dead and I feel a great hopelessness now. My throat is swollen and sore. It is hard to breathe and I feel a great weight pushing down on my chest. I have never felt such great pain before. There are women looking after me, nuns in fact, but my own daughter is not among them. They also know that my time is near, but it is their duty to care for me.

Amanda tells me to pass on through to the light when I feel ready. I go, but there is something left. I do not know what. I died of what I know to be the black plague.

After the regression process itself is complete, I go back to my secret place, to my sprit guide. Amanda tells me to ask her whether there are any other lives I should view today. My sprit says no, which I am grateful to, as my mind is beginning to tire. There was a message for me from my guide and I felt I knew it's meaning enough not to expand on the concept during the past life therapy session.

Many may see this as a tall tale. But I felt it was real. I knew pain, and I knew what it was to have borne a child (even though I have none presently). Many years ago I was a great and avid reader about facts of the black plague. Possibly I reconstructed these memories to create my past life, I don't know. I have never felt the pain of a broken arm before, but I certainly knew it in the regression! I met two people in my regression that are presently in my life. My best friend was actually my daughter (she is older than me in this life) and my boy friend was my husband. I knew it was them, and I knew that they loved me dearly.
It surprised me to see my boyfriend in my past life as he has no belief in such matters. I asked him whether he believed we had met before, he replied yes. It could be possible that he was my husband in another life.

Reincarnation is a belief which only one person can decide their stance. Personally, I have more unanswered questions now than I did before the therapy. I may try regression again later on in life, but I know I have already started to work by my guides message: "To learn is to experience."