Exploring Reincarnation (Arkana) [Mass Market Paperback]

Hans Ten Dam (Author), A. E. J. Wils (Translator), Colin Wilson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995 | Series: Arkana

An historical, cultural and psychological examination of all aspects of reincarnation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The great definitive work on reincarnation; it is hard to imagine it ever being superceded." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Written by one of the world’s leading authorities, Exploring Reincarnation examines the full range of explanations for past–life recall. This definitive study includes case histories from around the world, as well as intriguing theories about the relationship between body and soul—from general social beliefs about past lives to detailed questions about karma and past–life regression therapy. An outstanding introduction to reincarnation from a historical, scientific, and philosophical point of view. Hans TenDam is a board member of the International Association of Regression Research and Therapies in California and a member of the advisory team of the International Board of Regression Therapy in New York. REVIEW: “The great definitive work on reincarnation; it is hard to imagine it ever being superceded.” (Colin Wilson, author of The Occult) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140192042
• ISBN-13: 978-0140192049
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,693,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most thorough overview and literature study currently available!, August 9, 2005

By 

E. Raats (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Reincarnation: The Classic Guide to the Evidence for Past-Life Experiences (Paperback)

I stumbled into this book in the public library a few weeks ago and I'm certainly going to buy it for further reference in the future. It's an eye opener of the best kind! I fully agree with Marc Borisovsky - this is the most complete overview that you can get. I'm glad that this book is available in English too, so that it will reach more people.

First, Hans ten Dam describes reincarnation beliefs in several spiritual and religious settings incl. the three monotheistic religions, hinduism, buddhism, nature religions and recently developed beliefs like theosophy and anthroposophy. The next part of the book contains experiences with reincarnation from different points of view (children's memories, spontaneous and induced regressions, paranormal activities (e.g. through mediums) etc.) Hans ten Dam discusses many questions that may arise, like: the probability of other explanations for the past life experiences, whether we can reincarnate in animal bodies, the way karma works, how experiences and different beliefs correspond etc.

The author read a vast number of books on the subject and rates most of them in the text and in the literature list in the back of the book. This is very useful for further reading, because many books that contain sheer nonsense can be omitted immediately.

Although Ten Dam, a regression therapist himself, is a firm 'believer', he looks at other possibilities to explain memories of past lifes (false memories, fraud, déjà vu etc.) in a very serious way. Also he dares to criticize religious beliefs and work of other authors in the field (often accompanied by a dry sense of humor that made me role on the floor laughing ;-) Especially the chapter on new age beliefs is great in that regard).

If you're interested in reincarnation - either from a professional or from a layman's point of view (and obviously you are, because otherwise you wouldn't be reading this) - I would certainly recommend this book to you. Although the first chapters may seem a bit 'dry', you most probably won't be disappointed :-)

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best and most complete book about reincarnation, June 30, 2004

By 

Mark Borisovsky (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Reincarnation: The Classic Guide to the Evidence for Past-Life Experiences (Paperback)

The best and most complete book about reincarnation on the book market nowadays. This is the encyclopedia of knowledge on this subject.

This book does not only provide a good academic introduction to the topic of reincarnation from a historical, scientific, religious and philosophical point of view, but also give the analysis and statistic of validity of these point of view using experiential approach. developed in last century.

The last chapter gives the introduction to reincarnation therapy.

Another great TenDam's book Deep Healing gives non- hypnotic regression and therapeutic techniques used by author for many years.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most thorough overview and literature study currently available!, August 9, 2005

By 

E. Raats (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Reincarnation (Arkana) (Mass Market Paperback)

I stumbled into this book in the public library a few weeks ago and I'm certainly going to buy it for further reference in the future. It's an eye opener of the best kind! A reviewer, according to whom it was the most detailed overview of the subject, was not exaggerating when saying so. I'm glad that this book is available in English too, so that it will reach more people.

First, Hans ten Dam describes reincarnation beliefs in several spiritual and religious settings incl. the three monotheistic religions, hinduism, buddhism, nature religions and recently developed beliefs like theosophy and anthroposophy. In the new (fully reviewed) Dutch version it is obvious that Ten Dam has taken the criticism by Rabbi Yonassan Gershom seriously. He included more information on Jewish reincarnation beliefs; incl. quotes from Gershom's books. I don't know when this version will be available in English. The next part of the book contains experiences with reincarnation from different points of view (children's memories, spontaneous and induced regressions, paranormal activities (e.g. through mediums) etc.) Hans ten Dam discusses many questions that may arise, like: the probability of other explanations for the past life experiences, whether we can reincarnate in animal bodies, the way karma works, how experiences and different beliefs correspond etc.

The author read a vast number of books on the subject and rates most of them in the text and in the literature list in the back of the book. This is very useful for further reading, because many books that contain sheer nonsense can be omitted immediately.

Although Ten Dam, a regression therapist himself, is a firm 'believer', he looks at other possibilities to explain memories of past lifes (false memories, fraud, déjà vu etc.) in a very serious way. Also he dares to criticize religious beliefs and work of other authors in the field (often accompanied by a dry sense of humor that made me role on the floor laughing ;-) Especially the chapter on new age beliefs is great in that regard).

If you're interested in reincarnation - either from a professional or from a layman's point of view (and obviously you are, because otherwise you wouldn't be reading this) - I would certainly recommend this book to you. Although the first chapters may seem a bit 'dry', you most probably won't be disappointed :-)