Signs vs Coincidences?

[gingernpepsi]

So, on Tuesday night, I asked my guides and higher self for a sign, so that I could feel that they really were real, and not some fairytale.

A few things happened that I thought were weird, but I didn't feel really qualified. I was reading about some of Dr. Ian Stevenson's research, and I discovered that he presented what is considered to be "the most convincing evidence of reincarnation" the day before I was born. It was surprising, but I don't really think it means much.

Then, I was reading an article on a reincarnation case. It was about a girl named Barbro Karlen who believed she was Anne Frank. Today, I went to a funeral, and one of the names in the cemetery was "Barbaro", which is pretty close. I think that is a common Italian surname, but i still thought it was weird. I shrugged it off though.

Then, I saw a boy in the building. As soon as I looked at him, I got this strong feeling that his name was "Gabriel". Of course, I have been playing this video game called Castlevania, and the main character's name is Gabriel. So, I figured it wasn't so odd for me to pick that name. Yet, the feeling remained, and I just had to know. I asked the father what the little boy's name was, and he confirmed it was Gabriel.

I don't know, maybe I am grasping at straws here, but the last bit really freaked me out. What do you think? I'd also love to hear your own stories of odd coincidences and whatnot.

[desertrat]

You can get a hypnosis cd to regress you back to a past life . Most new age book stores will have them , around $15-25 . Many books on past lives will include self hypnosis exercises . There are mp3s for download . Picking up on the boys name as Gabriel sounds more like a form of e.s.p. If you use a self hypnosis method have some one close that knows what you are doing that can help you in case you run in to trouble . desert rat

[gingernpepsi]

Thanks for the reply, desert rat. I have seen you around a lot, you are always very helpful Honestly, I am way too chicken to try out any past life regression or hypnosis. I have just recently stumbled upon all of this (reincarnation, spirituality, ESP, etc.), and it is all a little overwhelming. Perhaps one day when I feel more comfortable, I will try it out. Oh gosh, if I have ESP... *shivers*

[reiki717]

Hey there,

I'd say you are definitely getting 'signs' from your guides. If it feels like a sign, it is a sign. That's the rule of thumb I go by.

I do spirit guide readings (by donation only) so if you're interested, get in touch!

[gigij]

Originally Posted by gingernpepsi

I don't know, maybe I am grasping at straws here, but the last bit really freaked me out. What do you think? I'd also love to hear your own stories of odd coincidences and whatnot.

I don't think you are grasping at straws - I agree that if you think something is a sign then it is. At first it can be hard to accept - but after a while they really do make you smile.

And there is no such thing as co-incidences

(If you are interested a great book (I liked it anyway ) is 'The Spontaneous Fullfillment of Desire - Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence' by Deepak Chopra. If you into that kind of stuff. )

[desertrat]

I would not be fearful of remembering a past life , most of the tapes and cds will tell you , you will remember it in a way that you can handle . Painful things in a past life will manifest as problems in a current life . Dick Sutphen , and many others made some good hypnosis tapes and cds . Ask your higher self, guides , masters , what will work for you . desert rat

[gingernpepsi]

Thank you all for your responses This is all really hard to take in, and very scary. You must understand that not two months ago, I considered myself an atheist. I thought that this was all there was to life, and sometimes I still fear it might be. This is why I was asking for signs. Knowing this, you can see how it might hard for me to jump into past life regressions and such. I have never contacted my spirit guides or done much of anything spiritual really... It's a hard transition, but I consider myself lucky to have found this forum. You are all so kind and helpful. I feel very happy here

[Ceoarob]

For me, I get "signs" all the time - signs that tell me what actions I need to take.

However, I only get "coincidences" whenever I'm on my path and taking action. Things happen that I would consider "out of the ordinary".

[gingernpepsi]

Thanks for the reply, Ceoarob. An interesting outlook

[desertrat]

Start with deep breathing , you might try some yoga moves . Most major cities have yoga classes , or you can get a yoga book . Hatha and Kundilii ( not spelled rite ) are good . desert rat

[Parthon]

Your higher guides have "signed" a contract where they can only frame signs as coincidences, so that way they don't scare anyone with anything that's too out of the ordinary.

After all, we are the ones who incarnated on this planet in order to experience and create the universe before us, and they are our guides. We have the will, and we can ask them for guidance, but they won't interfere, not even to provide a concrete unmistakable sign. It's up to you to decide what you think the coincidences mean.

Or at least that's what my guides have told me.

[gingernpepsi]

@Desert Rat: Thank you, I think I just might do that. Thank you for all of your guidance, it is greatly appreciated

@Parthon: It makes sense, and I suppose only I can really decide this. Like I said, I am new to all of this stuff, so I guess I just wanted a second opinion or some reassurance. Thank you for your insight

[Minxed]

A few years ago my dog was very sick. She was old and we had been through so much together, but I was struggling with finding the right time to take that awful trip to the vet. She was still playing with toys. Wagging her tail when I came home. Snuggling me in the morning. I could see the tumor growing and I knew there was a threshhold where I was going to be torturing her and the thought of having to make that decision was tearing at me.

I told a friend how stressed I was about it, and she suggested that I think of something that would let her give me a sure sign that it was time. I tried to think of a way she could show me, and then let it go and didn't think about it more that day.

She wouldn't eat her dinner that night. My beautiful perpetually hungry friend never ate another bite of food I didn't feed her with my hands from the point where I thought I had to have a for sure sign. Sometimes the signs aren't the ones you want to see. It doesn't make them any less of a sign though .

[gingernpepsi]

Minxed, that was a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Wherever we go, I am certain that your canine companion is in a better place. I suppose you are right about the signs. I am sure i encounter tons everyday and I just don't make myself aware of them. This is indeed something to think about.

[Midniteshowers]

After reading this post, I briefly thought about my guides giving me a sign, then continued to read other posts. About 10 minutes went by, and I heard a door creak open somewhere in my apartment. My cat was sitting on my lap, and she looked over too, so I know she heard it as well. I took my cat, (who was kinda scared to go investigate) and I couldn't find the source. Coincidence? maybe. But it could have been a sign. I like to think It was my sign.

[microELVIS]

Well I had a bit of a strange one last night. To be honest I was somewhat upset at myself for letting some things get out of hand in my life, close to sobbing actually as I just sat there in front of my pc. I had xm radio on and I didnt notice right away but a song called wonderful life by hurts was playing, it was the (mix by lee haslam) Its on youtube.

I remembered reading something about accepting all things as a message from your inner self, or your guides or where ever it may be called and the feeling began to pass.

As for a past life, it's pretty interesting stuff. Not the most pleasant images for me, but neat non the less. If you're interested then go for it.

Also, for this being all there is, I just don't see it. Sure bad things happen, or at least we call it bad. But if you really look at it, there's just no way. But you can't have the pope without a hardliner athiest so really they compliment each other. We need both to progress.


Peter.....

[Jane Doe]

Originally Posted by gingernpepsi

Then, I was reading an article on a reincarnation case. It was about a girl named Barbro Karlen who believed she was Anne Frank. Today, I went to a funeral, and one of the names in the cemetery was "Barbaro", which is pretty close. I think that is a common Italian surname, but i still thought it was weird. I shrugged it off though.

Is it a sign that earlier this evening, I had a thought pass through my mind. I thought "I was Anne Frank in a past life." And I thought about pass life regression, and I wondered how to go about doing that.

Then I found this thread. Coincidence? Sign? The universe ****ing with me? Does that universe do that?

Your higher guides have "signed" a contract where they can only frame signs as coincidences, so that way they don't scare anyone with anything that's too out of the ordinary.

After all, we are the ones who incarnated on this planet in order to experience and create the universe before us, and they are our guides. We have the will, and we can ask them for guidance, but they won't interfere, not even to provide a concrete unmistakable sign. It's up to you to decide what you think the coincidences mean.

Or at least that's what my guides have told me

That is the most comprehensive explanation of the "sign or nothing" argument I have ever seen. If this is true though, then I have had some HUGE "signs" that would be interpreted by psychologists as delusions.

[gingernpepsi]

@Midnite Showers: That is interesting! I have had that happen a few times, where my cat noticed it too!

@mircoELVIS: I'm sorry to hear that you were that distraught, but the fact that that song came on does seem like some sort of sign. I hope you get everything figured out As for what comes after... I'm starting to think that "nothing" doesn't exist.

@Jane Doe: Your post made me laugh I'm not sure if the universe does that either, but that is quite a case of serendipity. It's an interesting and comforting feeling to think that there is someone always looking out for me though