Past Life Regression (PLR) is a technique that uses hypnosis or meditative states to recover memories of past lives or incarnations. It is based on the belief in reincarnation, which posits that the soul or spirit is immortal and undergoes cycles of birth, death, and rebirth in different bodies. PLR is practiced both as a therapeutic intervention and as a spiritual practice to uncover experiences that might influence a person's current life.

The concept of reincarnation is ancient and spans many cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and certain streams of Kabbalah, among others. In the 20th century, the idea was popularized in the West by figures in the New Age movement and some psychotherapists who began incorporating PLR into their practices.

Hypnotic Regression: The most common method, where individuals are guided into a deep, relaxed state using hypnosis. The practitioner then directs them to recall memories from past lives by asking specific questions or giving prompts.

Guided Meditation: Some use guided meditation techniques without formal hypnosis to help people access memories of past lives.

Spontaneous Recall: Occasionally, individuals may experience spontaneous recall of past lives during meditation, dreams, or even spontaneous flashbacks during everyday activities.

Therapeutic Use: Proponents believe that understanding past life traumas can resolve emotional and health issues that have no apparent cause in one's current life.

Spiritual Growth: PLR is also used for spiritual purposes, such as understanding karmic patterns and personal relationships, gaining insight into life purposes, and fostering a deeper understanding of the self.

Participants in PLR sessions often describe detailed narratives about their identities in past lives, including names, historical periods, locations, and significant life events. They also report emotional connections to those experiences, which they believe relate directly to their current life's fears, behaviors, and preferences.

The scientific community generally regards PLR as pseudoscience due to a lack of empirical evidence supporting the existence of past lives. Critics argue that so-called past life memories can be explained as a mix of cryptomnesia (hidden memories of facts learned about history or read in books), imagination, and suggestions from the therapist during hypnosis.

Ethical Practice: There is concern about the qualifications of those who conduct PLR, as improper techniques can lead to false memories and psychological harm.

Influence on Clients: The power of suggestion can significantly impact individuals under hypnosis, potentially leading to the creation of detailed but false memories.

Past Life Regression continues to be a subject of fascination and controversy. While many individuals report profound insights and healing from the practice, it remains outside the mainstream of psychological and medical science. Practitioners and clients are encouraged to approach PLR with an open mind but also with caution, recognizing the power of suggestion and the subjective nature of the experience.