Now and Then
Reincarnation, Psychiatry and Daily Life
By Denys Kelsey MB, BChir, MRCP
Published by the Trencavel Press on February 5th 2007
ISBN 978-0-9545786-2-6
229 pages. £13.99
Denys Kelsey qualified as a doctor but specialised in psychiatry for close on 50 years after discovering a gift for hypnosis. He will always be remembered for introducing to modern psychiatry the fact, as he believed it to be, that not only have we all had many lives before our current one but that the origin of some psychiatric problems may lie in a patient’s former lifetime and still be accessible to therapy. His unique approach resulted in the rapid resolution of a considerable number of psychiatric problems that had not responded to therapy within the usual framework of psychiatry. Surprisingly, he found his belief in reincarnation focused attention on the ‘Here and Now’.
In the first part of the book Denys draws heavily on his cases to make a convincing case for believing in reincarnation. And, since one cannot believe in reincarnation without believing in the reality of a non-physical component that can reincarnate, he offers some thoughts concerning this and the part it plays in consciousness.
The second part of the book is largely concerned with the contribution that reincarnation makes to our understanding of character. He explains why he is convinced that although character traits reincarnate and are often the crucial factor in a psychiatric problem, nevertheless we have the power to change them if we choose to do so. This has proved of immense value in therapy. Thoughts and insights are shared that explain in a novel way how certain common psychiatric problems develop in daily life, how they can be dealt with and how they can be forestalled. These are expressed in simple non-technical terms. And, as throughout the book, points are illustrated by reference to actual cases.
The two parts of the book are closely linked and Part II in particular distinguishes it from other books that have been published in recent years about reincarnation and ‘past-life therapy’. The two parts complement one another to form a unity, which Denys thought of as a legacy to all people, lay and professional.
Now and Then is written in a flowing style that makes it easily accessible to all readers and provides a fascinating insight into the effects of past lives on our everyday living.
Reviews:
'...it is a treasure worth having.' C.Norman Shealy
'I can ... assure the reader that if like me, you hold that the soul is eternal but has the propensity to become embodied for the purposes of its spiritual evolution, you will find both of these books immensely interesting.
... Denys Kelsey writes touchingly, with humour and self-deprecation.'
Andrew Powell, Network Review
'The book is written in a lively style. The case stories are telling and dramatic; more so than is usual in conventional psychotherapy. The medically oriented passages are well informed. The tone throughout reflects an unquestioning conviction in the reality of reincarnation. Dr Kelsey ends with the challenging thought that we are fated to return to this planet in the state we leave it.'
Donald West, Journal of the Society for Psychical Research