by Carl Silver, Ph.D.
Belief systems and theories, together with empirical data, are foundation stones upon which thought leads to knowledge and understanding. Within the therapeutic setting, “beliefs” may be more important to achieving an outcome than “science.” Dr. Silver directs his thoughts towards an interesting and provocative exploration of this topic.
My readings in the area of past-life regression therapy et al reveal occasional reference to altered states and their relation to the mythic, but always as tangential to some other focus rather than as a central theme. I propose that a grasp of the following two conclusions are central to eventual acceptance of this therapy into the mainstream of psychotherapeutic intervention:
- A personal mythology and its requisite belief system is essential not only to healing but to its maintenance.
- Regression therapy et al contributes richly to creation of a personal mythology in a society that provides little in this regard.
I am going to draw a functional relationship among four factors:
1. There is increased energy now available to humanity for healing.
2. People have a profound need for stable belief systems, a need that is not being met in the modern world.
3. A sound belief system always relies on a mythology to support it.
4. The above factors have profound implications for the psychotherapeutic process, particularly as they relate to past-life regression, dealing with discarnate entities, and transfer of so-called mind-fragments (what Baldwin terms “Mind-fragment”).