Memories of a previous life?

Authors

  • Erlendur Haraldsson Universidade da Islândia; Faculdade de Psicologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000041216

Abstract

Background : Children are sometimes found who claim to have memories of a past life. If such alleged memories can be verified they may prove relevant for the question of the mind-brain relationship. They may indicate that memory is not only stored in the brain and that mind can exist without a brain and still retain some of its memories. These possibilities are contrary to what is presently known about memory and its dependence on brain functioning. Objectives : Were to test if an independent investigator comes up with comparable findings as Stevenson of University of Virginia who has published a great number of such cases. Methods : Consisted of interviewing children who make consistent statements about a previous life and persons who have witnessed them making such statements. Three psychological studies compared children with and without past-life memories. Results : In two of three presented cases a deceased person was found who fitted the child´s statements about the previous life. Psychologically these children differ from other children, showing signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, likely because by remembering how they died in accidents or were killed. Discussion : The features of “past-life memory” cases make them relevant for question of the mind-brain relationship.

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Published

2014-04-01

Issue

Section

Mind-Brain Series

How to Cite

Memories of a previous life? . (2014). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 41(1), 21-26. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000041216