My Journey Through Time: A SPIRITUAL MEMOIR OF LIFE, DEATH, AND REBIRTH

by Dena Merriam

My Journey Through Time is a spiritual memoir that sheds light on the workings of karma— the law of cause and effect that creates one’s present circumstances and relationships—as we see it unfold through Dena’s vivid memories of her previous births. We travel back in time as Dena learns of a life in early 20th century Russia, ranging from the overthrow of the Czar through Nazi Germany; then it’s back further to a life in early 19th century America in the Deep South, and before that to a time in Africa in the early 18th century. Her lives in the East—in Persia, Japan, and India—go back to the 15th-17th centuries. Wth each past life, we can see the way in which it has impacted her present life, how it has stemmed from the end of the previous birth, and how it will influence her next life.
Dena Merriam is the founder of an interfaith organization, the Global Peace Initiative of Women. A long-time disciplined meditator, Dena’s access to her past lives brings a clearer awareness and purpose to her present life, and also overcomes any fear of death. The memories are triggered when Dena meets a new person or visits a new place in her current life. The memories bring remembrances of past suffering, but also recollections of spiritual teachers and wise guidance. She has not used and does not advocate past-life regressions or hypnosis as a way to prompt memories to return. Dena has decided to share her story, despite being a very private person, in hopes that it can provide comfort and awaken the inner knowing of your own ongoing journey through time.

Genres: Spirituality

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2018

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I remember so many births, so many deaths, so many loved ones’

New York author Dena Merriam earned her MA from Columbia University and has served on the boards of Harvard University Center for the Study of World Religions, the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, and the Manitou Foundation. She is the founder of an interfaith organization – the Global Peace Initiative of Women. And avid meditator, Dena has had vivid memories of previous births surface, bring a clearer awareness and purpose to her present life as well as conquering any fear of death. Dena’s memories are triggered when she meets a new person or visits a new place in her current life. The memories bring remembrances of past suffering, but also recollections of spiritual teachers and wise guidance. She has not used and does not advocate past-life regressions or hypnosis as a way to prompt memories to return. Dena has decided to share her story, despite being a very private person, in hopes that it can provide comfort and awaken the inner knowing of your own ongoing journey through time. In support of the objectives and goals of the United Nations, Dena serves with the Interfaith Center of New York City in the creation of the Millennium Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual leaders.

In her Introduction Dena shares, ‘This is the story of how certain events in my life led to an awakening of memories of previous births, and how those memories provided insight and a deeper understanding of the work I was to do in the world and the complex interplay of karma. It is also a testament to the effect of meditation on my life. That is not to say that other meditators have experiences similar to the ones I describe in this book, for each one’s path is unique. I marvel at the great diversity of spiritual experiences as each one of us unfolds our individual romance with the Divine. I began meditating at the young age of 20, when meditation was not common in the United States, and I took very much to heart my guru’s instructions to develop a regular and committed meditation practice. Over the years I found an intuitive faculty developing, a way of knowing that surpasses the rational, logical mind. I remember once in those early years being awakened at my house in the middle of the night by a large crash, as if the roof was falling in. I jumped up with a start and went around the house checking for any signs of damage. Everything was fine, but the next morning I heard on the news that a roof had crashed down on a building in a neighboring town. How was I to experience the sound of a roof falling so far away? Similarly, I once had a conversation with a colleague who was describing her work with a prominent man from the museum world, when I suddenly blurted out that he was having an affair. She was startled and, confirming it, asked how I had found out. I had never met this man and knew nothing about him except this one fact that had come into my consciousness. How did I know this? Most people have had such experiences, but often we pay little mind to how we know certain things. The intuitive faculty is present in everyone, but we are not taught to cultivate it. Consistent, deep meditation can develop this faculty and give us access to a vast store of knowledge that we can’t otherwise access.‘

And so begins a fascinating survey of Early 20th Century Russia, Early 19th Century America, Early 18th Century Africa, Early 15th Century India, Late 15th Century Persia, 16th Century Japan, 17th Century India, and concludes with a section she calls ’Between Births’. Why the designated time frames? ‘My Journey Through Time is a spiritual memoir that sheds light on the workings of karma— the law of cause and effect that creates one’s present circumstances and relationships—as we see it unfold through Dena’s vivid memories of her previous births. We travel back in time as Dena learns of a life in early 20th century Russia, ranging from the overthrow of the Czar through Nazi Germany; then it’s back further to a life in early 19th century America in the Deep South, and before that to a time in Africa in the early 18th century. Her lives in the East—in Persia, Japan, and India—go back to the 15th-17th centuries. With each past life, we can see the way in which it has impacted her present life, how it has stemmed from the end of the previous birth, and how it will influence her next life.’

Dena Merriam opens the possibilities of exploring our karma. It is a book to cherish

[Ooha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably THE MOST beautiful book I've ever read.
It has a mix of interesting stories, as well as spiritual wisdom shared through those stories.

Something in me awakened reading about the Mother, and I'm grateful for this stirring.

[Alby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a great learning experience.




Enjoyed it so much. Could not keep it down. Author is a very enlightened soul.
Good insight on life between lives.