My Spotless Mind

Too often, there are reports of people claiming to have been
glorified historical figures in past lives.

It's a frequent misconception, perhaps encouraged in part by
somewhat unscrupulous psychics who tell clients how important
they were in their past lives. When people are regressed and see
their own past lives, it's common to perceive experiences as being
both rich and poor, male and female, powerful and powerless,
productive and unproductive, and so on. If people perceive
themselves as a famous historic figure such as Cleopatra,
Joan of Arc, one of the Disciples of Jesus, or even as Jesus
himself, there are four possible explanations for this:

1. The person really was the historic figure in a past life.

2. The person is identifying with personality patterns
associated with the historic individual to such an extent that
the person believes he or she was that individual.

3. The person's ego is adding to the session. For example,
perhaps he or she perceives through regression the ancient
civilization of Egypt and a woman who looked like Cleopatra,
or they may have been associated with Cleopatra, but the
regressed person wasn't actually Cleopatra.

4. The person is somehow connecting to the energy or
consciousness that was once part of the historic figure.

Regarding those who consider people who believe in
reincarnation and past lives to be escapists and cowards,
it actually takes more courage to accept and live within the
ideals of reincarnation and karma because it means you have
to take responsibility for everything you do, say, intend, and
feel for all that happens to you. There is no such thing as a
victim, you can't blame anyone for anything, and you "get
away with" nothing.

Furthermore, physical death may be the end of our body, but
we are far more than just a body. Our soul consists of energy
or life force. Science has proven that energy never dies and
can't be destroyed; it just takes a different form.

Past life regression can be used for entertainment purposes,
but more importantly, even if you don't believe in past lives,
it can be a very useful and therapeutic tool.

Finally, it doesn't really matter if the theories of reincarnation
and karma are valid or not, but if we all acted as if they were,
our world would be a much better place.

Copyright © 2007 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

Since the early 1980's we've explored metaphysical and
New Age offerings. We've compiled a list below to help
you navigate the metaphysical marketplace.

The following is an extended list of characteristics that,
although perceived by much of the population as inherently
"spiritual," do not automatically make someone a good
spiritual teacher.

*Membership to a sect/religion based in a foreign country


*The appearance of a wise, old sage; older doesn't always
mean wiser


*Musical/artistic ability


*The ability to offer an authentic-looking, heartfelt cry on
cue


*Having attracted a lot of money/contributions through their
adherents


*A foreign accent


*Enigmatic looks


*Lots of press


*Expensive fees


*Expensive seminars and retreats


*Mention of having studied under a "guru" in an exotic
foreign country


*Specializing in mysterious disciplines that are difficult, if
not impossible to pronounce


*Being a "best-selling" author


*An appearance on Oprah


*Appearing on other national TV/radio shows


*Having testimonials/endorsements from other "spiritual
authorities" (i.e., often self-proclaimed)


*A powerfully effective communicator/stage presence


*Having "cured" themselves of a terminal disease through
their magic powers that you can have too if you would just
pay their fees and buy their products


*Guaranteeing success in manifesting what you want
(especially if it contrasts with who you really are/your
true path)


*Cheer-leading ability


*Denying reincarnation and karma (usually because accepting
these basic spiritual concepts would negate some or a lot of
what they preach)


*"Never" saying anything "negative" and always smiling


*Written communication that appears to sound profoundly
deep, is difficult to decipher, and that leaves you thinking,
"What does that mean?" after the feel-good feeling fades


*Poetic ability


*The ability to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside


*Claims of having communicated directly with God, or guides,
or other spiritual beings--especially when the "communications"
are sometimes biased-sounding. For example, someone claiming
that "God" told them a certain politician/political initiative or
corporate initiative is evil, or that one must, for instance,
abstain from sex for the rest of his/her life in order to reach
"nirvana"


*The willingness to jump on the New Age bandwagon just
because a spiritual concept is popular

Copyright © 2007 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

There is a general belief that every moment is predefined simultaneously it is also believed that you should do good karma to have good life. I think there is a contradiction in this. Can actions change destiny. If my present actions are defined by my past karma then how can I change my future karma.

Sometimes I think that once I get caught in the wrong loop I am bound to remain in that loop.You cannot have a different script of a movie for evening and matinée shows, but that may not be the truth. I think the situation and circumstances which we land into is a function of our karmas, whereas our response is in our control and will decide our future karmas.Therefore an event is a function of two things E=f(K,A). where "K" is karma the situation you are in and is dependent on past actions and records and "A" is determined by present response which can be controlled.

The teachings of all religion, gurus, saints, modern psychology etc all endorse implicitly or explicitly the above principle. They tell us focus on "A" ie present moment which is the universal mantra . The result of "A" that is your present action will again depend on the impressions which you have gathered ie samsakaras some part of which is again genetic ie function of" K " and other part may be acquired or function of "A". So we see the events of life is an interwoven matrix between past karmas and present action. A day will come when spirituality and science will definitely converge and a mathematical model of spiritual teachings can be presented. I do not know whether the spirituality needs science more to become more strong or is it other way round.

A scientist looks and craves for knowledge which leads to wisdom and finally his enlightenment, on the other hand in spiritualism you look for wisdom and enlightenment first which ultimately leads you to knowledge.The basis of science is proof whereas the basis of spiritualism is faith. In fact in science also you start with faith only without which you cannot build a theory. Every great scientific theory /model starts with a hypothesis, but what is hypothesis? In fact it is faith/ intuition.

The gradual building up of various atomic models, from Rutherfords to electron clouds, the ring structure of benzene ring etc were intutions with faith. The scientist should be the first person to believe in God. By the way why do we have this wrong notion that scientists dont believe in God, this is a wrong myth which is being propagated. A scientist is synonymus with logic, after studying the structure of human brain, universe, atomic structure, genetic engineering etc how can a logical person ignore that there is no creator who owns these creations.

A scientist if he believes that there is no creator of these scientific things then is the most unscientific person and illogical. Coming to spiritualistic side of it a person can never call himself a perfect and staunch atheist because an atheist is a person who dose not believe in the existence of God, but by doing so at least he believes in the non existence of God and therefore he cannot be an atheist because by definition atheist is a non believer. The minimum what we can do is believe in our existence and in creations outside us, the moment we do that we are not an atheist and we have accepted our creator.