I'm a kriyaban and have been on the spiritual path for a long time now. I have a some strong fears like fear of closed spaces, lizards, etc. Though I regularly meditate and practice kriya, the fears remain, a little helped maybe. I was wondering if Master said it was okay to get past-life regression done? I have debated a lot over this as I know he said hypnotizing someone was not good since it could weaken the will power, but did he also mean past-life regression therapy? Any other suggestions?
—KP, India/USA
Dear friend,
I’ve never read or heard anything from Yogananda encouraging past-life regression.
This is a quote from Yogananda that might be helpful: “It is best that each actor should display completely new characteristics when he undertakes to play new roles.
Memory and habit might hamper him. It is wonderful that each soul, although immortal and the same through many incarnations, is able to remember only his present life. Therefore, it is best that people do not remember who they were or what positions they held in past lives.”
You might want to work with affirmations as a powerful means of releasing your fears. Swami Kriyananda’s book, Affirmations for Self-Healing, is a very good resource. Here are two affirmations that might be helpful in your particular situation:
Affirmation – Courage
“I live protected by God’s Infinite Light. So long as I remain in the heart of it, nothing and no one can harm me.”
Affirmation — Acceptance
“I accept with calm impartiality whatever comes my way. Free in my heart, I am not conditioned by any outward circumstance.”
Another productive technique is to mentally visualize a fire into which you are releasing all limitations and obstacles. Feel that your fears are being burned up in the flames of God’s protective love.
You can also contact the Ananda Healing Prayer Ministry and request healing prayers for yourself.
In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Pranaba
