Dr.H.B.Jayasinghe MBBS Cey, MCGP SL, MD CH Lond, MBSCH UK, C Ht USA

Founder Fellow of the British Association of Medical Hypnosis

Rebirth is a spontaneous phenomenon frequently observed in regression therapy. Hypnotic regression is one of the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic techniques employed as an additional modality to alleviate suffering resulting from a wide variety of ailments such as Phobic States, Depression, Stammering, Traumatic memories, Intractable Pain, Nocturnal Enuresis, Addictions to drugs and alcohol, Pseudo-epileptic convulsions, Possession States, Uncontrollable Skin Conditions and Sexual Disorders and Deviations where conventional medical management has proved to be either inadequate or totally ineffective.

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterized by,

* enhanced suggestibility,

* intense focal concentration,

* diminished peripheral awareness, and

* shifting of the cerebral hemispheric dominance from the dominant to the

non-dominant, and migration of activity from the frontal to the parietal, occipital and temporal lobes of the brain as evidenced by functional MRI scans.

If the brain could be compared to a complex computer with all its hardware, the mind may be compared to the programmes which operate the computer and operated by the computer. Although the modern medical knowledge with regard to the computer appears to be considerable, the knowledge and the understanding of the programmes continue to remain remarkably rudimentary.

Mind consists of conscious and unconscious components. While the conscious component constitutes only one eighth of the mind, seven eighth of the mind is composed of the unconscious constituent. Unconscious mind is a large store house of all the past events and buried memories.

Under normal conditions we have no access to the unconscious mind. Although a person becomes unconscious with anaesthetic medication or may become unconscious owing to a serious illness, his unconscious mind remains totally inaccessible.

Only way to gain access to the unconscious mind is by suppressing the conscious mind, and this can be brought about by hypnosis.

Hypnosis

Thus, hypnosis is the ‘gateway’ to the unconscious mind. Under deep hypnosis, regression is employed to gain access to unconscious resources with past events and buried memories

Regression

Regression is a technique, where the patient is suggested under deep hypnosis to go backward in life, so that he is able to retrieve the memories of past events stored in the unconscious mind. In medical hypnosis two types of regression therapy are predominantly employed.

1. Free floating regression and

2. Sequential regression.

In free floating regression, the patient is suggested to go backward in life to any specific event in the past that has some significance to the present ailment.

Sequential regression

In sequential regression, suggestions are given to the patient under deep hypnosis to go backward in life gradually.

After reaching infancy, when he is suggested to go backward further, he enters the womb (intra uterine state). On further suggestions to go backward, (making no reference whatsoever to a past life) the patient invariably passes through a ‘floating’ stage, and eventually reaches a past life.

Although the conventional ‘life’ begins after conception and ends in death, the ‘interlife’ begins at death and ends in conception. ‘Incarnate life’ alternates regularly and repetitively with the ‘discarnate interlife

Past life

Regression therapy provides us with valuable information with regard to past life as well as life between past life and present life.

On further regression, the patient tends to relive and re experience several past lives and several lives in between them (interlives). Although the present life, past life and the previous lives are associated with corresponding physical bodies (incarnate), none of the interlives possess a physical body (discarnate).

This alternation of incarnate existance with a discarnate one is a significant observation in regression therapy. The existence of an ‘interlife’, following death and prior to conception has been widely observed by all eminent workers in the field of regression. Whitton J and Fisher J. 1986, “Life Between Life” New York, Warner Books; and has been scientifically established by some

Winafred Blake Lucus, 1993, “Regression Therapy, A Hand Book for Professionals” Deep Forest Press, USA.

Well known rebirth researchers, Ian Stevenson, Erlendur Haraldson, H.S.S.Nissanka, Helen Wambach, Raymond Moody and Brian Weiss, have observed an interval varying from several months to several years, between the time of death of the past personality and the time of birth of the present personality. Evidence is totally lacking for an immediate conception following death.

“Satisfactory evidence exists for calculating the interval between the death of the previous personality and the subject’s birth. The median interval is 18 months.

Ian Stevenson 1977, “Cases of the Reincarnation Type” The University Press of Virginia

Merely narrating the past events in the form of a story is insufficient and insignificant.

What is significant in regression therapy as well as in rebirth research is the revivification process where the patient re-lives, re -feels, re-enacts and re-experiences a past event with appropriate physiological changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, perspiration, muscular tension, pupils (dilatation) and hair (piloerection)

Sequential regression
Young age
childhood
Infancy
Intra Uterine state
Period beyond floating interlife
Interlife associated with conception
Interlife associated with last death
Immediate past life
Previous interlife
Previous life
Incarnate
Discarnate

Thus, during a session of regression therapy, while re living, re- feeling and re-enacting following states,

* interlife prior to present conception
* interlife following past death
* past life
* interlife prior to past conception
* interlife following previous death
* previous life and previous lives.
* possession states.

patients spontaneously provide us with valuable information pertaining to rebirth. Dr.Winafred Blake Lucus and Dr.Chet Snow, at the Brentwood Neurological Centre in Los Angeles, have done extensive studies on EEG wave pattern during regression and have demonstrated the appearance of all four types of waves constantly in varying intensities.

Theta - Material so recovered, bringing to personal unconsciousness

Alpha - Manifestation as images

High Alpha and Beta - Recognizing and Remembering with Evaluation and Transformation.

Factors to be observed in rebirth research

* Retrieved information should be corroborated with factual evidence.

* Must regressed to the same period several times, and the retrieved material so obtained should be identical, with additional data.

* Physiological changes must be observed.

* All four types of waves must appear consistently throughout the regression process.

Information retrieved in regression must corroborate with,

* Family members, relations and friends.

* Belongings, household items, vehicles etc

* Telephone numbers, vehicle numbers, addresses etc

* Hospital records, Police records.

* Birth marks, birth defects and birth anomalies

* Responsive xenoglossy and special abilities

Most of the above mentioned states and other factors suggestive of rebirth such as birth marks, birth defects, responsive xenoglossic ability and other special abilities were discussed and demonstrated in detail at the presentation held on 31-05-2009.

Most of the experts in the field of regression appear to have convincing evidence in favour of rebirth, and to quote some of them,

“Consciousness continue to exist after clinical death; that is when all brain activity has ceased.”

Prof. Pim Van Lommel. Lancet. Vol. 358, Page 2039,15 December 2001.

“For years the theory of reincarnation was a nightmare to me. I did my best to disprove it.

Yet as the years went by one subject after another told me the same story in spite of different and various beliefs.

Now well over a thousand cases have been so investigated and I have to admit that there is such a thing as reincarnation.”

- Dr.Alexander Cannon.

“The hypothesis that we are impelled to return to earth, again and again, in different bodily vehicles is well supported by scientific research. But all the eloquence and evidence in the world won’t make the idea any more palatable to the individual who chooses to believe otherwise.”

(This talk was sponsored by SLMA in association with Healthwatch and held at the SLMA auditorium which was chaired by Dr Dennis Aloysius).

Cellular phones can damage heart pacemakers

Cellular phones (mobile phones) can disrupt implanted cardiac pacemakers (pacesetters) and hand held mobile phones may by electrical interference, prevent cardiac pacemakers from functioning normally and cause rhythm disturbances resulting in giddiness, near-syncope and palpitations.

Research done at Mayo clinic Minnesota (USA) using 980 pacemaker patients, it was proved by a research team led by Dr. David Hays that hand phones could interfere with contractions of the pumping chambers of the heart in permanent pacemakers patients. However there was no interference when the telephone was held in the normal position over the ear.

Many forms of electromagnetic energy can interfere with the function of cardiac pacemakers. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanning Lithotripsy devices, electrocautery devices (during surgery), electronic apex location, and electrocautery can cause interference with the function of the permanent pacesetters. Interference may occur with various digital telephones but not with analogue telephones.

It had been shown that interference can cause at the header of the pacemaker and direct incidence of interference occurs when the hand phone is directly over the pacemaker. The researchers say that cellular phone users should not keep the hand phones in their shirt pockets. If the cellular phone is as far as 10cm from the pacemaker, it does not cause interference and the incidence may vary according to the model of the pacemaker.

If you are a case of permanent pacemaker and is going to undergo any type of surgery or if you are going to get a MRI Scan must inform the cardiologist who had inserted the permanent pacemaker and get his or her advice prior to the procedure.

D.P. Athukorale

From the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka

Early Warning Signs
Weakness or Numbness of one side of the body
Difficulty in speaking
Sudden change in vision
Dizziness, loss of balance
Difficulty in swallowing
Sudden severe headache

The National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka (NSASL) which was formed in the year 2000, has been regularly conducting Medical Camps in many parts of the country specially to create awareness among the people on early warning sings, how to minimize risk of a Stroke and treatment:

Early Warning Sings

* Weakness or Numbness of one side of the body

* Difficulty in speaking

* Sudden change in vision

* Dizziness, loss of balance

* Difficulty in swallowing

* Sudden severe headache

Prevention

* Control High Blood Pressure

* Control High Blood Sugar

* Control Cholesterol Level

* Give up Smoking

* Avoid Excessive Alcohol

* Have a healthy diet low in fact and salt but high in fibre (fruits and vegetables)

* Exercise Regularly

Treatment

* Early medical attention will prevent death and ensure better recovery

In the Medical Camps the Association conducts, the Doctors impress upon the participants the importance of paying attention to the above factors.

The next Medical Camp of the Association will be held in Polonnaruwa on Sunday, July 5.

It will be sponsored by the Hatton National Bank - Polonnaruwa Branch under their ‘Gami Pubudu Project - Divisaviya’ and will be held at the Asela Maha Vidyalaya, Welikande.

Several Consultants from Colombo as well as other Doctors from different fields will be attending the Clinic. A large amount of medicines too will be taken along for distribution among the villagers. The Association will use this opportunity to distribute essential needs such as clothing, school items for children, to the people of Aselapura on this occasion.

Those who wish to assist in this humanitarian project are requested to deliver the items to the National Stroke Office at No. 6, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 or contact Vishva Gunawardena - Senior Manager (Development Banking) at the Hatton National Bank PLC, HNB Towers - Level 19, No. 479, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 before the July 1.

Laughter the best medicine

Getting father-like

From upstairs the mother called down to the son who was in an unlit living room with his girl friend.

“What are you doing down there?” She demanded.

“Nothing Mom” he called back.

“Hmph - You are getting more like your father every day! just doing nothing”, mother said.

Sent by N.S. Dodamthenna, Ja-ela.

Letter Box

We had this very special letter from a worried patient last week wanting to know from a Cardiologist in our Healthwatch Medical Advisory Panel on the repercussions of the findings in a ECHO Cardiogram.

The letter dated 1st June 09, Colombo goes:- Sir, After an ECHO taken by a well known Cardiologist, I was told that I had five leaks in my heart.

Can one of the doctors in your panel dealing with this subject let me know the repercussions of this ECHO result.

The rubber stamp on the cardiogram states.

“Requires antibiotic cover prior to surgical/ Dental obstetric procedures.”

Your information on this diagnosis will be very much appreciated. Thanking Daily News for the service to readers through the Healthwatch she has ended the letter with blessings to Healthwatch but not given the name.

We wish to inform the worried reader that we have forwarded the letter to Senior Consultant Cardiologist in our Medical Advisory Panel Dr. D.P. Atukorala and the reply could be expected next week.

Healthwatch

Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs:

Fracture risk doubled after obesity surgery

The dramatic and sustained increase in bone turnover that occurs following surgery for obesity, or “bariatric surgery,” translates into a significantly increased risk of fractures, especially in the hands and feet, according to a study presented today at The Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Washington, DC.

The study team, from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, compared the fracture rate in 97 patients (average age of 44 years) who underwent bariatric surgery to the rate expected in individuals of the same age and sex in the general population.

Ignored cholesterol blamed for heart attacks

Danish researchers said on Tuesday they have found the strongest evidence yet that an often ignored form of cholesterol can cause heart attacks. They said people with higher levels of a little-understood form of cholesterol called lipoprotein (a), which varies up to a thousand fold from one person to another, were also more likely to have heart attacks.

Gene explains breast cancer chemotherapy outcomes

Genetic mutations can show which breast cancer patients will be helped by a certain type of chemotherapy, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. They found patients with two versions of the SOD2 fared worse when taking the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide than other patients. It might be useful to test patients for this gene before giving them the drug, the researchers reported in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Sleep deprivation tied to weight gain

Failure to get a full night’s sleep can lead to weight gain or compromise the beneficial effects of a reduced calorie diet on total body fat, according to presentations at SLEEP 2009, the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, underway this week in Seattle.

“Reduced sleep duration has become a common aspect of the westernized lifestyle, defined by physical inactivity and overeating,” Dr. Plamen Penev, from the University of Chicago, told Reuters Health.

“Diet-induced weight loss is a major behavioral strategy for metabolic risk reduction. However, whether it is effective during times of reduced sleep duration is unknown.

Reuters