SHROUDED TRUTH

Reena, of Asian Hindu background is a therapist whose practice, Divine Aspect, has clients spanning Asia, Australia and Europe. She is a trainer for the Past Life Regression Academy and trains therapists in all these regions. This reviewer is a Past Life Regression Therapist and familiar with arguments both accepting and rejecting the 'reality' and origin of past lives. I therefore consider the past lives described in Reena's book will particularly raise these questions due to their Christian historical setting.

Over a period of four years in Europe, Asia and Australia, Reena regressed eight clients who all had past lives while Christ was alive, with seven who either knew him or saw him. Their experiences are transcribed in this book. They are James the brother of Jesus, St Paul, Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha and daughter Tamar, the Apostle Thomas, David the son of John the Baptist, and a woman named Mimi.

Many events they describe are not recorded in any other historical accounts. Mary Magdalene describes her marriage to Jesus and their three children. The accounts that will be most strongly questioned are the version of events at the crucifixion that differ from those in the New Testament.

In prison while awaiting crucifixion Jesus was severely beaten. Using bribery, the severely weakened Jesus was secretly taken from prison. An ardent follower of Jesus, out of love for him, agreed to be substituted in prison, where he was also severely beaten. With bribery of the Roman soldier guards at his crucifixion, the substitute, expected to be still alive, was brought down from the cross. He was then taken away for burial. Not all the witnesses to the crucifixion knew about the substitute or whether he was dead when he was brought down, so there are slight differences in their observations.

After a long recovery Jesus is taken by Mary Magdalene and others to France, where for security they conceal their true identities. Although unable to reveal his background Jesus continued teaching. Apart from his visits to Greece and Egypt they remain there until they die. Mary describes his death in detail.

Appendix 1 gives an account of the past life regression process. Appendix 2 discusses the consistency of the accounts given, highlighting that none of the clients had ever met. In considering the validity of the sessions Reena points out that when collecting information for a book like this it is vital to understand the reasons why stories can also deviate. The Reference Section lists authors who have researched the historical period this book covers together with historical accounts of the characters portrayed.

The result of Reena regressing eight people having lives contemporary with each other was a remarkable multi-coincidence. This was an unusual and comprehensive demonstration of the phenomenon of past life regression.