V3I10P28

Karmic Impressions and Transpersonal Past-Life Regression Therapy in the 21st Century: A Critical Psychological, Transpersonal and Ethical Framework

Dr. Gauri Shankar Yadav^1*, Rakshita Yadav²

Abstract

The concepts of karma, samskara and continuity of consciousness have occupied an important position within Indian philosophical and spiritual traditions. In contemporary therapeutic discourse, these concepts have increasingly intersected with transpersonal psychology and practices commonly described as past-life regression therapy. Past-Life Regression Therapy (PLRT) generally involves relaxation, focused attention, guided imagery, hypnotic procedures or other altered-state techniques through which individuals report experiences interpreted as memories of previous incarnations. Although such  experiences can be subjectively vivid and psychologically meaningful, the proposition that they constitute historically accurate memories of previous lives remains scientifically unestablished.

The present article critically examines the concept of karmic impressions and its possible relationship with Transpersonal Past-Life Regression Therapy (TPLRT) in the context of 21st-century psychology. A narrative and conceptual review of literature concerning hypnosis, autobiographical memory, false-memory formation, claimed past-life memories and transpersonal approaches is presented. Contemporary evidence indicates that hypnosis does not reliably increase the accuracy of autobiographical recall and may, under certain circumstances, increase confidence in inaccurate or suggested memories. Recent reviews also emphasize methodological limitations in the empirical literature on hypnotic regression. At the same time, research on claimed past-life memories constitutes a distinct field of inquiry, with published observational studies particularly involving children and culturally diverse populations.

The article proposes a five-stage integrative model: present-life concern, identification of recurring patterns, transpersonal exploration, meaning-making and present-life integration. Within this framework, a reported past-life experience is treated neither as automatically factual nor as automatically pathological. Instead, it may be examined as a subjective, symbolic, spiritual or transpersonal experience while maintaining appropriate epistemic caution. The article concludes that the future of TPLRT in the 21st century depends less on proving reincarnation therapeutically and more on developing ethically responsible, non-leading, culturally sensitive and empirically testable approaches to transpersonal experience.

Keywords:

Karma, karmic impressions, samskara, transpersonal psychology, past-life regression, hypnosis, false memory, spirituality, psychotherapy, reincarnation, meaning-making