June 30, 2006

Cosmic Recyclables

"I have been born more times," Mark Twain wrote, "than anybody except Krishna." Who says the idea of reincarnation isn’t an American tradition? There may be few roads and fewer signs, but the intrepid Division of Perceptual Studies within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia has for over forty years been scientifically studying evidence of children's memories of previous lives, as well as other puzzling phenomena. An Assistant Professor in the Division and Medical Director of the Division of Child and Family Psychiatry, Dr. Jim Tucker, a board-certified child psychiatrist, examines the forty years of findings in Life Before Life, a fascinating book written for the general public. Dr. Tucker very kindly agreed to an interview and I appreciate his dispassionate, professional presentation of a most unusual topic, one with startling implications. This podcast runs forty four minutes. Enjoy!