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My main source of information when making this film came from the book Life before Life by Dr. Jim B. Tucker.
In this book, he shows and explains the research that has been started by Dr. Ian Stevenson and that is now continued at the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, with Dr. Tucker as the director of the department.
The main focus of the research is to question the legitimacy of childrens past life memories.
Regardless of the spiritual nature of the believe in Reincarnation, the investigation is known for it's objective and speculating approach. As a reader, I found this to be very pleasant because I could form my own opinion about the cases that are presented.
I encourage you, as the reader of my notes and the book, to do the same.
btc
This paragraph elaborates the open-minded approach of the research more but it also touches the mythical layer.
To speculate and to find truth behind these memories.
Where does fantasyland end and reality begin?
The department and the publications on the subject of past life memories have caused a lot of controversy in the field of psycho- and neurological research. So far the research hasn't been able to collect facts which can make you question its credibility.
It's too open-minded for science but too grounded for superstision, which I found to be an interesting tension.
Anchor 1
With Christianity being the most dominant religion in the USA and it not supporting the believe in reincarnation, it only makes sense that many of these childrens memories never get picked up by the adults around them.
The most populair religions in which reincarnation is believed are Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Which are mostly practiced in India and nearby countries.
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Anchor 2
The story of Patrick is interesting to me because it suggests that the wounds don't have to be fatal in order to turn into a birthmark. This gives me more options since the face is quite an uncommon location to result in death when compared to for example the torso.
Anchor 3
Pigmentdisorders like viltiligo don't count since it changes over time.
During my phonecalls with psychics I found that there is a common believe of carrying unresolved pain with us to our next lives through mental struggles. Maybe it's not that strange for them to become physical?
How many times can energy be re-used? Can a soul expire?
Anchor 4
Though self-inflicted, an interesting physical symptom relating to stress and declining mental wellbeing is skinpicking.
Opposite to causing blisters through hypnosis, there is also a more accepted practice called Psycho-cutaneous therapy in which skinproblems are cured through hypnosis.
This shows another connection between mental and physical which we can take into account when we speak of the mind creating birthmarks.
As a visual thinker I do wonder what this 'consiousness' looks like and where in the body it's located.
Is this what we mean by the aura that some people claim to see? And why do some people see it and others don't? Is it similair to why some people get birthmarks and others don't?
Anchor 5
It's interesting to bring up why we should be reminded of our past selves. Was the suffering that lead to the passing not enough? One argument could be karma, but is that fair in the case of Patrick and his brother?
I expressed my thoughts on seeing a birthmark or birthdefect as bad karma more through the homevideo's scene
Maybe a skinrash on my cheek? Or a wound from hot oil or falling? A bruise?
I consider myself to be agnostic.
Is this open minded enough?
Anchor 6
This made me think of how a wound isn't a cause of death. It's what the wound does that makes the body vulnarable (causing blood to go out, becoming an enterance to reach organs etc.) that can result in death. The trauma shows up on the skin because we aren't aware of what happens underneath.
Dying from a wound can be very quick (like a bullet through the head). Does this mean we can see our physical form as our energy leaves it? Like floating above ourselves while our physical form is already dead?
I'm more skeptical about these cases because it excludes the trauma argument. In this scenario, a birthmark seems to be more of a choice. Can someone else make that descision for you?
It also makes me wonder how long the spirit would stick around after dying. Can they see their family making a mark on them and do they let themselves be marked to console them? Or is it all wishfull thinking to deal with grief? To say see you soon instead of goodbye forever?
Anchor 7
I don't believe that my mother actively wished for this in my case since I wasn't planned. I wasn't brought up with a religion, however my mom is more open to the possibility of reincarnation.
Her openess may have caused it to be more likely to get a child with a birthmark. Similair to certain individuals being more open to being hypnotized.
Some of the family cases can be put on wishfull thinking as well. However the story of Patrick is very specific.
Anchor 8
When it comes to paranormal matters (especially in western culture), we tend to have a 'innocent until proven guilty' type of mindset where we expect it to be completely factual in order to be true.
Now I can't say whether this is all the truth or not, but it sure is quite a lot to be just everyday coincidence.
Anchor 9
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