AboutStephen Sakellarios Expertise I can answer questions about reincarnation (from both Eastern and Western perspectives) and life after death, and how these topics relate to religion and spirituality.
Experience
I produced a documentary entitled "In Another Life: Reincarnation in America" which aired on PBS station KBDI in Denver, CO, Jan. 2003
I have a masters in counseling from FSU, and over thirty years' study of Eastern mysticism from carefully selected sources, plus eight years' study of contemporary Western reincarnation studies. I've published nine related articles online and in print. I offer an online class on the subject and maintain an extensive educational website at www.ial.goldthread.com, as well as giving talks and radio interviews (archived on the website).
Question I am almost 11 weeks pregnant. For the past 2 to 3 weeks I've been having the same dream, night after night. In the dream I am an American male soldier captured in WWII Germany, after some days of terrible torture I flee. The entire dream is me running and hiding from German soldiers, I have no idea what anyone is saying because it's all in German. I don't recognize anyone from my own life in the dream. There are allot of people in the streets, I can smell burned wood and hot metal, the streets are narrow and cobblestone, there is allot of rubble and debris. Everything looks grey, like it's been dusted with ash from other burning buildings. The only person in the dream that really stands out to me is a German woman, she's in her 20s about 5'2, med build. I try to help her as I struggle to find other American troops. She is not injured. This dream is always the same, every time, every night. I'm starting to dread sleep! I've never had this happen to me before. I feel these events are some how related to my unborn baby. Is this possible?! I've tried to relate this dream to my own life, maybe something I'd seen in a move, etc., but I can't! There is no relation! Thanks for your time! Natalya
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Answer Dear Natalya,
Intense, vivid, repetitive, identical dreams are usually stimulated by past-life memories--but whether these are your memories or your unborn child's memories, I couldn't say for sure. My gut tells me that it concerns both of you--for example, you could be the soldier and your child could be the German woman, or vice-versa (but more likely the former since in the dream, you identify with the soldier).
There are several questions the researcher in me would want to ask, such as: 1) have you ever had this dream before? 2) how many times have you dreamt it now? (you mention "every night" so it sounds like several times). 3) Have you had any previous exposure to this situation in books or movies? (you've answered that as well).
It's fascinating that you're hearing the German language and can't understand it.
If, in a past life, the soldier tried to save the young woman, then there is a karma tie between the two, such as might conceivably draw a person to be born to someone.
One thing I can say for sure is that the type of dream--vivid, lots of detail including other senses besides just sight, the fact that it never changes, that it keeps repeating--all are consistent with past-life dreams. Also, there is an entire person with his world-view and his personal history--an entire identity.
Historically, it could probably be narrowed down a little because you know right off it is a German city which was bombed by the Americans. There probably weren't so many--Berlin for sure, but I don't know my WWII history. If you were expecting to find American troops then it may have been toward the end of the war when the Americans were advancing on German cities (assuming the soldier wasn't shot down from an airplane earlier, but why would he be looking for other Americans?).
Now, to the unspoken question as to what to do about it! You may consider past-life therapy, in which case, www.iarrt.org is the professional organization which can give lists of practitioners in your area. Do be aware that as with any treatment there are potential side-effects; but if this dream keeps troubling you to the point you can't sleep or are afraid to go to sleep, it may be worth doing. Be sure to get a credentialed and experienced therapist, if you do.
My gut feeling is that there is a reason why these dreams keep repeating, and when that reason is acknowledged, they will stop. Like it's a message, and it will stop when you get the message. If it is a bond between you and the child, simply acknowledging to the child, "Yes, I understand the bond between us and you are welcome here in my life," may be enough. I know that sounds simplistic but it really may be all that's necessary. Sometimes all that's necessary is to validate something.
Let me know if I haven't answered your question or if you need further clarification.
