Because past-life regression, theology, metaphysics, spirituality and psychology all seem rolled into one for me, I often assume an ingrained need for the philosophical understandings of life must be inherent in all other free thinking renaissance souls. Am I wrong?
I wanted to find out, so a few months ago, on a quest to connect with the typical mindset on such matters, I began to ask selected reincarnation/past-life regression questions in a casual verbal survey format. How did people feel and think about past-life regression? Did any aspect of it need demystifying?
I started on friends and acquaintances, obviously because we had already established a comfort zone that would allow the imposition of such fundamental belief questions. Yet that contradicted my reason for the survey.
I realized I would have to ask strangers in coffee shops, at parks, waiting in line at the supermarket; anywhere I could casually strike up a conversation. The challenge of it all was not lost on me.
What I noticed was a slight difference in participation and answers from those in regular grocery stores, compared to those in health food supermarkets, from those all alone, compared to those in group settings, but all in all my sampling proved fairly consistent, and ultimately fair. I believed, as psychologist Morris Netherton did, that “it is impossible to influence or lead people to something that doesn’t jibe with their own feelings.” I was going for their truth, if they would share it.
I admit I expected to find some interested, and therefore interesting, people. The questions, I believed, would lead to some stimulating conversation, perhaps spark an untapped insight, surprising not only myself, but the interviewee as well - (for although the popularity of religions seems to be at one of its low points in history, the interest in spirituality has risen considerably. It seems that once people accepted the idea that they alone could be responsible for their own spiritual and personal growth, they seemed to soar to new heights, interested not just in theology, but in metaphysics, the healing arts, eastern mysticism, etc.)
The group of people I eventually gleamed information from, proved to be indeed, an interesting bunch. I sincerely attempted to survey half men and half women, and I was surprised to find equal numbers of both who were unwilling to partake in the study. Thus my results still indicate a relatively even ratio of female/male responses.
Aside from that minor background, I neither looked at, nor noted, any other discernible, distinguishing classifications. I readily transferred my received answers into a spreadsheet (I’m anal that way) and carried over as many comments as I could write down at the time. Often I found myself writing frantically as more than one person at a public coffee table wanted to add their comments to those already being written down. LOVED their enthusiasm once they got going.
The survey sparked interest at first, I believe, only for the fact that I was conducting a public survey, yet the answers I received were intelligent and well thought out – their obvious references seemingly blogs, chat shows, popular magazines, books and second hand stories.
Want to hear what I heard? Check in next week!
I wanted to find out, so a few months ago, on a quest to connect with the typical mindset on such matters, I began to ask selected reincarnation/past-life regression questions in a casual verbal survey format. How did people feel and think about past-life regression? Did any aspect of it need demystifying?
I started on friends and acquaintances, obviously because we had already established a comfort zone that would allow the imposition of such fundamental belief questions. Yet that contradicted my reason for the survey.
I realized I would have to ask strangers in coffee shops, at parks, waiting in line at the supermarket; anywhere I could casually strike up a conversation. The challenge of it all was not lost on me.
What I noticed was a slight difference in participation and answers from those in regular grocery stores, compared to those in health food supermarkets, from those all alone, compared to those in group settings, but all in all my sampling proved fairly consistent, and ultimately fair. I believed, as psychologist Morris Netherton did, that “it is impossible to influence or lead people to something that doesn’t jibe with their own feelings.” I was going for their truth, if they would share it.
I admit I expected to find some interested, and therefore interesting, people. The questions, I believed, would lead to some stimulating conversation, perhaps spark an untapped insight, surprising not only myself, but the interviewee as well - (for although the popularity of religions seems to be at one of its low points in history, the interest in spirituality has risen considerably. It seems that once people accepted the idea that they alone could be responsible for their own spiritual and personal growth, they seemed to soar to new heights, interested not just in theology, but in metaphysics, the healing arts, eastern mysticism, etc.)
The group of people I eventually gleamed information from, proved to be indeed, an interesting bunch. I sincerely attempted to survey half men and half women, and I was surprised to find equal numbers of both who were unwilling to partake in the study. Thus my results still indicate a relatively even ratio of female/male responses.
Aside from that minor background, I neither looked at, nor noted, any other discernible, distinguishing classifications. I readily transferred my received answers into a spreadsheet (I’m anal that way) and carried over as many comments as I could write down at the time. Often I found myself writing frantically as more than one person at a public coffee table wanted to add their comments to those already being written down. LOVED their enthusiasm once they got going.
The survey sparked interest at first, I believe, only for the fact that I was conducting a public survey, yet the answers I received were intelligent and well thought out – their obvious references seemingly blogs, chat shows, popular magazines, books and second hand stories.
Want to hear what I heard? Check in next week!
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