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International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Volume 31 | Issue 1 Article 11 1-1-2012 Is the Reincarnation Hypothesis Advanced by Stevenson for Spontaneous Past-life Experiences Relevant for the Understanding of the Ontology of Past-life Phenomena? Sergei Slavoutski Sofia University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/ijts-transpersonalstudies Part of the Philosophy Commons, Psychology Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Slavoutski, S. (2012). Slavoutski, S. (2012). Is the reincarnation hypothesis advanced by Stevenson for spontaneous past-life experiences relevant for the understanding of the ontology of past-life phenomena? International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 31(1), 83–96.. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 31 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2012.31.1.83 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. This Special Topic Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Newsletters at Digital Commons @ CIIS. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CIIS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Is the Reincarnation Hypothesis Advanced by Stevenson for Spontaneous Past-life Experiences Relevant for the Understanding of the Ontology of Past-life Phenomena? Sergei Slavoutski Sofia University Palo Alto, CA, USA A significant volume of scientific evidence, uncovered by reincarnation research in the last 50 years, supports the reincarnation hypothesis advanced by Ian Stevenson for spontaneous past-life experiences (PLEs). However, at this time this evidence cannot provide an unquestionable proof of the existence of past-life phenomena, nor can it assert that reincarnation is not possible. This paper suggests that the reincarnation hypothesis, being reasonably parsimonious and relatively exhaustive, may provide a plausible explanation for spontaneous PLEs. Also, based on the probability of the same ontology of spontaneous and hypnotic PLEs, it may be argued that this hypothesis might also be relevant for the hypnotic PLEs, as well as for the understanding of the ontology of past-life phenomena in general. Keywords: reincarnation hypothesis, past life, past-life experience, spontaneous past life, hypnotic past life, Stevenson, rebirth, karma, previous personality n recent years, the belief in reincarnation has drawn As a primary hypothesis used for the scientific significant attention and continues to gain recognition investigation of cases suggestive of reincarnation, the among researchers and medical professionals, as well reincarnation hypothesis for Stevenson was “not a Ias the general public (Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf, 2008; Mills, matter of belief, but an empirical issue, based on very 2008). The concept of reincarnation is based on the “the specific experiences and observations” (Grof, 2000, p. notion that a nonphysical element of human existence 235). Considering the significance of this hypothesis for not only survives but subsequently is reborn in another reincarnation research, scientifically acquired evidence body” (Irwin, 1989, p. 240). Stevenson (1960a, 1960b) and careful examination of the facts are critical for introduced the reincarnation hypothesis in his early accepting or rejecting the reincarnation hypothesis. studies of children who claimed to remember previous The reincarnation phenomenon is usually lives and continued to advance this theory in his later associated with the ability of people to recall what they works (e.g., 1977, 1983, 1997b, 2000a). He proposed the believe represents their past lives, “reported experiences following explanation of the reincarnation phenomenon: or impressions of oneself as a particular person (other than one’s current life identity) in a previous time or life” Reincarnation, briefly defined, includes the idea that (Mills & Lynn, 2001, p. 285). These past-life experiences men [and women] consist of physical bodies and (PLEs), which represent individual recollections, are minds. At a person’s death, his [her] physical body expressly significant for the problem of postmortem perishes, but his [her] mind may persist and later survival of human consciousness; they involve recalling become associated with another physical body in the and engaging in previous historical life events happening process called reincarnation. Some persons find the at different geographical locations and “experiential word “mind” in this definition unclear or otherwise sequences of this kind constitute the empirical basis for unattractive. They may certainly substitute another the widespread belief in reincarnation” (Grof, 2000, p. word such as “soul” or “individuality.” I intend 235). Various in-depth investigations of PLE phenomena only to indicate a component of human beings not in the last 50 years have resulted in the accumulation of a comprised in our present understanding of their vast body of evidence that supports possible plausibility physical bodies, which component may persist after of the reincarnation hypothesis (e.g., Haraldsson, 1991, physical death. (1977, footnote 2, p. 305) 1997, 2000a, 2000b, 2003, 2008; Mills, 1988, 1990, ReincarnationInternational Journal and Past-Life of Transpersonal Phenomena Studies , 31(1), 2012,International pp. 83-96 Journal of Transpersonal Studies 83 1994, 2003; Pasricha, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2008a, 2008b; 1986; Wickramasekera, 2009), repressed memories Stevenson, 1960a, 1960b, 1974, 1977, 1983, 1987, (Loftus, 1997, 2000; Pasricha, 2011) or genetic 1997a, 1997b, 2000a, 2003). For that matter, there is memories (Almeder, 1992; Pasricha, 2006; Stevenson, a possibility that the reincarnation hypothesis advanced 1987; Tarazi, 1990), and some others. by Stevenson may be relevant to and offer conceptual Besides spontaneous and hypnotic forms support for the understanding of the ontology (i.e., a of past-life recall, some voluntary and involuntary theory about the nature of reality or existence) of PLE manifestations of PLEs have been reported to happen phenomena. The exploration of the importance of this in various therapeutic as well as in non-therapeutic hypothesis and its implications for PLE phenomena environments (Grof, 1994; Stevenson & Pasricha, 1980): may also provide better understanding of the evidence during psychedelic and psycholytic therapies using LSD gathered as a result of reincarnation studies and improve with psychiatric patient and non-patient populations the methodology of the future reincarnation research. (Chandler, Holden, & Kolander, 1992; Grof, 1975, Past-life recall occurs in several forms, two 1976, 1980); experiential therapeutic modalities (e.g., of which, spontaneous and hypnotic, represent the Gestalt, primal, rebirthing, holotropic breathing; Grof, corresponding types of reincarnation cases that have been 1985; Grof & Bennet, 1993); and various forms of the subject of scientific investigation (Edelman & Bernet, bodywork (e.g., existential holistic therapy, Reichian 2007). Spontaneous past-life recalls are documented in therapies, Rolfing, psychodrama; Ventegodt et al., 2004; the reports of young children who remember the facts, Woolger, 1996, 2000; Grof, 1994). PLEs are also circumstances, and specific details of the life of deceased reported to appear under specific psycho-emotional and people and in some instances demonstrate the behavioral psychosomatic conditions, such as: sensory isolation patterns and emotional longings inherent in the (Grof, 1994; Tart, 1996); spontaneous episodes of personalities of these deceased individuals (e.g., Brody, nonordinary states of consciousness (e.g., spiritual 1979; Matlock, 1990; Mills & Lynn, 2001; Tucker, 2005). emergencies; Grof & Grof, 1986, 1989); some forms of Hypnotic past-life memories (PLMs) occur when alleged deep meditative visualization (e.g., yogic concentrated PLEs are retrieved under hypnosis either in a therapeutic meditation samadhi; Bilimoria & Stansell, 2010), which environment during past-life regression therapy or in could be accompanied by psychosomatic reactions PLE-related controlled studies. In some cases, hypnotic (Pagis, 2009); and dreaming in sleep states (Krippner & induction may not be necessary for evoking PLMs Faith, 2001). (Cranston & Williams, 1999; Head & Cranston, 2000), The recall of PLMs can also occur independently, and the recalls may happen regardless of the participant’s in parallel or may alternate with regular memories, belief in past lives (Fiore, 2005). which an individual retains from different periods of Evidence of hypnotic PLMs and even spontaneous his or her life, including prenatal and perinatal stages of PLEs still remains controversial based on the skepticism personal development (Grof, 1988, 1992). Spontaneous and criticism from the scientific community and failure PLEs reported in adults are less frequent than in children of some investigations to fully verify the accuracy of the and for the most part are initiated by some memory information retrieved from these experiences (Angel, cues (Mills & Lynn, 2001). They can be compared 1994; Edwards, 1987, 1997; Hales, 2001a, 2001b; Sagan, to very vivid déjà vu experiences when an individual 1996; Swinburne, 1986; Webster, 2009; Wilson, 1981, is able to provide descriptions of environments and 1982, 1988). In general, PLEs have received a mixture circumstances related to the observed events without of interpretations and
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