Customer Reviews

Same Soul, Many Bodies: Discover the Healing Power of Future Lives through Progression Therapy

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have only read a couple of books by Brian Weiss, "Many Lives Many Masters" and "Only Love is Real", and whereas I found some repetition between those two books, this one seems to stand on its own. This book is also better organized than the others I have read - being organized into chapters with headings such as "relationships" and "free will". However, rather than being purely devoted to progression as one might gather from the title, this book focuses on the complementary aspects of regression and progression in healing. Various case studies are used to illustrate the various themes of the book, which give an illuminating insight not only into how one can view one's future lives (being able to see a number of routes according to which option we take now) but also into what future life may be for all of us in 50, 100 and 1000 years. A wonderful book.

I have read most of Weiss's books to date, and I believe (unlike some of the other reviewers) that his books do leave you thinking - or maybe a better word would be wondering.

The premise of this book is that what we've done in previous lives have determined, in part, the types of obstacles we face in this life (or lack thereof). It also leads you to realize, through example, that what we're doing in this life is going to have a direct impact on the types of obstacles we'll encounter in our future life times.

This theory really makes one wonder about how they're living today - and maybe help some of us to realize that we need to make some changes, lest we have to go through the same obstacles next time!

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of past & future lives - although one must approach this subject with a completely open mind!

I first read Brian Weiss about 6 years ago when I had my mind opened by Many Lives, Many Masters. While I've since read a number of books on the topic, none compared to the original, until this one. I found that it really completes the picture by looking forward on our soul's journey.

The most memorable story was about a suicidal man whom Dr. Weiss progressed on two separate paths -- one where he did commit suicide, and the second where he didn't. The man saw not only the consequences to his family in this life, but also the karmic consequences in his subsequent lives as well. The clarity of the vision and his vivid emotions helped him to come to terms with the reality of his life instead of seeking the escape of suicide.

Dr. Weiss proposes that our free will can help us to learn the planned lessons, or not, within a given life. For this reason, I believe this is his best book -- it helps us to look forward, and claim our behavior today, instead of staying stuck in the past.

I've already shared the book with a number of friends. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as well.

It's tempting to approach this book ironically, enjoying it as a piece of psychotherapeutic folklore and nothing more. But Dr. Weiss's credentials command some respect. He's clearly a serious person who has devoted serious thought to the therapeutic value of reincarnation memories, and so his ideas deserve consideration, even if they're presented here in a lax and breezy manner.

This is not a book of evidence for reincarnation. There are very few points of evidence, and these are anecdotal. For example, one couple gives identical accounts of past lives together, presumably without consulting one another, although this qualification is not stated outright. Also, Dr. Weiss claims that his patients as a whole have independently provided accounts of "future history" that are, he estimates, 90% consistent with one another. (He doesn't mention how he arrives at this figure or exactly what it means.) If such results could be demonstrated under controlled conditions, it would corroborate Dr. Weiss's claims. As it stands, you either suppose it's true for the sake of argument, or you abandon the book.

The same suspension of disbelief is required if we're to consider Weiss's most important claim, which is that the reincarnation experiences obtained under hypnosis, whether true or invented, result in dramatic psychiatric improvement.

All these claims are scientifically testable, and I am disappointed that Dr. Weiss neglected to suggest such tests or to survey previous findings. What we have instead is Dr. Weiss telling his stories and rendering his subjective opinion, and while I respect his experience, I can't help noticing that this book could easily have made a more substantial contribution to the field.

If there is a new wrinkle on "past life regression" here, it is the idea of "future life progression," whereby the patient is guided to envision possible futures based on different life decisions. It's an interesting idea on the face of it, but a real evaluation of the practice requires empirical research.

Dr. Weiss neglects such pragmatic concerns, instead devoting many pages to bland New Age truisms. These benign homilies supplement the case studies and succeed in padding them out to book length, but an intellect and work ethic of Dr. Weiss's caliber could have put those pages to far more constructive use.

The case studies are the real meat of the book. Sadly, they have a manufactured feel that can only cast doubt on Weiss's thesis. It's clear from the start that Weiss is taking broad artistic license in paraphrasing his clients' dialogue, even when appearing to quote directly. To be blunt about it, nobody talks the way his clients do. Furthermore, each case history follows such a similar arc that it is difficult not to see the author's hand at work. I don't mean to question Weiss's sincerity, only the credibility of his presentation. Scoffers will find no shortage of ammunition here.

Still, where some might find that the lack of empirical evidence and theoretical grounding makes for a dubious case, others might find that Weiss refreshingly avoids getting bogged down in corroborative details and academic jargon. Instead, he simply testifies to his experience and affirms that it is true. It might sound like BS to some, but to others it is cutting through the BS.

And he's right about one thing: even if recovering reincarnation memories is only an exercise in imagination, it does get a person thinking about himself and his relationships, and that can't be too bad a result.

I am doubly excited both that Dr. Weiss has written another book and that "Same Soul, Many Bodies" is such a beautiful and important book. His first book, "Many Lives, Many Masters", completely changed my life and enabled me to find my spiritual path. The new book is filled with fascinating stories of his patients, showing how past-life therapy and future-life progression have helped them to heal physically and emotionally. These new case histories are particularly powerful and show how we all can find more peace, more joy and more healing in our lives by understanding and using these techniques. I also enjoyed his findings about the future, especially the future of this planet. His work resonates with the findings of modern physics, especially with the concept of parallel universes. At both a personal and theoretical level, this book is a must read.

I found this book great for those who are wanting to increase their awareness of past lives. As a believer in reincarnation, this book gives good insight into past lives, soul mates, and our spiritual guides. It also intrigues with real life experiences in hypnosis and the ability for each of us to get in touch with our own spirituality. As I grow in awareness this book fufills my desire to learn about my spiritual path. Same Soul, Many Lives is a great beginning understanding of regression and progression therapy.

Same Soul, Many Bodies is enlightening and educational. For those who do not believe in future and past lives, they will change their minds after reading this book and Many Lives, Many Masters, also by Dr. Brian Weiss, M.D.. I recommend this book to everyone I meet. It is actually on loan for the second time and those that have borrowed it love it and say their views have changed for the better because they see the importance of treating others better.

He got it in one with this one. There is so much information in this one - pick a topic and he touches on it. And yet he wrote it in a manner like "Many Lives, Many Masters" as opposed to the almost textbook way he wrote "Through Time Into Healing" or others. It was too easy to read, even. I'm going to have to read it again.

You do not have to believe in reincarnation to get the messages out of this book. The book deals with love, compassion and empathy as core elements and I really think that those are universal messages everyone in the world can believe in.

I think this is the best book Weiss has written to date.

It's hard to dismiss the proof and logic that comes forth in the methodology used by Dr Weiss. The book was very touching for me. It expanded thought horizons for me. After reading his book, I had the realization that life's problems were mere trivialities in the bigger picture of why we are here. Something else quite unexpected developed as a result of this read. With a free will choice, I think that people sometimes force their will on "karma" (sorry, for lack of a better word) and the consequence of that may be to their detriment. For instance; if you meet a girl, and you want to make her your wife, you can force the issue to the point where she says yes,OR, you can enjoy your time with her for the moment, and let things run their course. If it is meant to be, serendipity or fate, or creation will bring you back together. Patience and wisdom play a big part in the determination of a good life path.
Yes, that's what this book has taught me. It's ok to be assertive, it's quite another thing to be forceful. Hmmm, yes. That's what I got out of this book.

Same Soul, Many Bodies is a remarkable look at the concept of life progression, showing us what life may be like in the near, as well as the distant future. There are books on past life regression, although few, but Dr. Weiss opens a whole new field with his fascinating studies on progression. If enough people around the world pay attention, the world would be a much better place.
Dr. Brian Weiss is a leader in the field of past life regression therapy with his book Many Lives, Many Masters. A highly advanced and enlightened soul, Dr. Weiss remains a wonderfully cheerful, humble man while he teaches others that love is the answer to many of life's questions. His aura of greatness is evident as he enters a room and it encompasses anyone in his presence.