From Dissection Tables to Past Lives: On Medicine and the Humanities

<strong>Centre for the Study of Social Systems School of Social Sciences</strong> CSSS Colloquium <strong>Dr. Gaurav Deka</strong> (TASSO Institute, Netherlands) Will be presenting a paper on <strong>From Dissection Tables to Past Lives: On Medicine and the Humanities </strong> Date : <strong>April 7, 2016</strong> <strong>Abstract: </strong>In this paper, I hope to explore the different psychotherapeutic techniques, traditional and non-traditional, sifting through a personal narrative. My primary focus here is the discovery of Regression Therapy and other Transpersonal Techniques using my own experience of being a medical professional previously as a case study. In section I, I outline the parallelities of 'falling' into depression and entering a non-ordinary state of consciousness through the lens of medical psychiatry, arguing its reductive approach throughout history. In section II, I outline all other traditional psychotherapeutic techniques beginning with Freudian Psychoanalysis to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. I argue their limitations within the ambit of achieving holistic healing, drawing from personal examples and experiences. In the final section, I look into the metaphysics of regression and examine the past lives of several people - as subjects and clients, the effects and the processes used. I also discuss about the different alternative approaches to explore past lives by different schools and its psychosocial relevance in the present-day time and space. <strong>Bio:</strong> Dr. Gaurav Deka is a medical doctor and regression therapist. He studied medicine in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. He has a diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a certification in Hypnotherapy from California Hypnosis Institute of India, another in Body Cultivation &amp; Health and Wholeness in Asian Religions from Boston University, and in Emotional Freedom Techniques from AAMET International (Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques). He has been trained as a transpersonal regression therapist by TASSO Institute, Netherlands. He uses techniques like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) in conjuct with Transpersonal Regression, Inner Child Work and Kinesiology. He is also a member of the European Association for Regression Therapy (EARTh). He lives and practices in Delhi.