Customer Reviews

Past Lives, Future Lives

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Even though the method of hypnotic regression can in principle never produce scientifically acceptable evidence of the reality of reincarnation, Goldberg's book makes a highly credible case that is hard to dismiss as fantasy or fiction. It will not convince the hardened sceptic (who should familiarize himself with Ian Stevenson's research instead), but the open-minded reader will find it compelling enough to consider (or reconsider) the idea of reincarnation.

Those who are already aware of the objective reality of reincarnation will find a treasure trove of information and insight on the way karma works, how our past lifes influence our present life, what to expect directly after death, and in the state between lifes.

Goldberg has a fast-talking wowy-zowy style on the radio that makes you suspicious that he is a charlatan, but I enjoyed reading his book.

He is a firm believer in past life therapy in which a patient experiences a traumatic past life event via hypnotherapy and is healed by re-experiencing it. He does not explain why this would heal someone but he claims that his patients are able to avoid certain negative habits or phobias and have improved relationships. He thinks it is the best psychological treatment.

Goldberg also claims to be able to show his patients their future lives through hypnotherapy. The future, from what can be gathered by the life stories of future lives, is much the same as reality is now: threats of nuclear war, clampdowns on freedom, class issues, warring civilizations, technological progress, relationship problems, enslavement, and good times too.

Apparently, we often go through several lives with the same souls who are in different incarnations. You may marry the same person several times or be a relative or friend or enemy to a person several times. Although you may mate the same person several times this does not mean that you'll like them every time you meet them. Perhaps they may end up abusing you in one life and loving you in the next. In other words, finding your "soulmate" may not be such a good thing.

Goldberg explains karma and I got the impression that it is not exactly a matter of a situation in which you murder in one life and are murdered in the next. One patient was raped in a former life and Goldberg comes to the odd conclusion that the soul was learning humility and submission in such a life. This conclusion partially makes the villian a teacher in a strange sort of way. A rapist in former life will be decent married man in another but still have problems with being domineering or manipulating.

Such a worldview may have adverse ethical repercussions, if no one is truly good or evil and no one is directly punished or rewarded. Anyway, I did not get the impression that karma was direct justice against evil actions in a past life from the many stories of the lives of his patients, despite Goldberg's defining karma that way from the beginning.

The stories are interesting even though there are probably too many of them. The overdose on far-out stories has a numbing effect by the end of the book.

For anyone interested in reincarnation (or for confirmed believers), this is a must-read! It defines karma's nature in detailed regression/ progression sessions. Not only do you get to experience past lives and future lives, but you have a chance to understand the in-between-states (between lives) via the sessions. He also talks about reincarnation in the different religions throughout history, and what it's like to die. I literally could not put this book down until the last page.

A very compelling read! Dr. Goldberg has convinced me that there is a connection between what happened before our current life and what happens after we die. Our existence is threaded by multiple incarnations, each an opportunity for us to learn lessons we agreed to before we were set in our current existence. After reading this, you will come away understanding that karma is for real. Sometimes reasons why certain things happen in our lives, or even why we have particular personal problems (fear, shyness, unusual habits, etc.) have their roots in our prior existences. Great book! I recommend it.

In five words, It has changed my life. I have a hard believing other authors when they talk of many of the concepts such as astrial bodies, and reincarnation. I was an athiest untill I read this book. He presents the ideas in a way that says: this is what happens when I put people into hypnosis, and here is what could explain it. If you are not comfortable with traditional religon, give this book a try.

I picked up this book because I was interested in future life progressions. As one fairly conversant with the doctrines of reincarnation and recognizing this book was written over 20 years ago, my concerns are as fresh as they would have been when the book was first available: (1) a total lack of objectivity. Dr. Goldberg has his own spiritual beliefs about reincarnation and things surrounding reincarnation, and he teaches and preaches from that viewpoint. Unfortunately, he fails to make it clear that he is teaching his personal dogma. (2)He is quick to condemn. I was particularly struck by his blanket condemnation of all witchcraft, all covens, and by extension, all magical practices. This bespeaks ignorance of the subject and comes from a fairly narrow view, much as if I were to give a blanket condemnation of Christianity. Personally, I believe Christianity to be far more dangerous, but I recognize that this is opinion, and don't preach it as fact. (3) Overall, I found his research and techniques very disorganized. To me, this is rather sad for an accomplished hypnotist, because it diminishes his effectiveness. Both in his writing and reporting, and in his interviews, I felt he
could greatly improve both interview and writing style by having a better idea of where he is going and the cues given by subjects.
Personally, Dr. Goldberg is not a practitioner I would select to help me with regression or progression, based on my experience with this book. There are other authors dealing with the subject. I would direct the interested reader to a more solid author, such as Brian Weiss.

This is a good book. If you are interested in reading a book about reicarnation; the author did a good job in my opinion. Except for some amazing theories about how and why souls do reincarnate ( the author seems to have a Christian background; so, I found a few theories of his about reincarnation a bit outrageous... ) the experiences shared ( if true and not inflated ) are of the maximun interest. I really suggest people they should read this book as a "light" approach to this matter. So far, this is the best book I have read upon this subject.

Author explores regression, progression, and the astral planes. You understand now why Agent Mulder "wants to believe". This is a great book for anyone who enjoys metaphysics, hypnotherapy, and astral projection. Once I read this book, I never though about anything the same way...but it all made sense... My favorite book of all times!

I found the book to be interesting, and worth the money. I don't know if I agree with everything I read, but I enjoyed it. It has a lot of stuff that makes you wounder, and ask questions. I liked it.

I adore this book. It was so fascinating and so enlightening I was truly impressed. If you ever wondered if you had a past life or wondered why you do some of the things you do now ... maybe it's the secrets lie closer than you realize.