The Memory Beyond Memory

Tim Stoneman’s work explores the deeper layers of the human mind, the memories, emotions and patterns that may continue to influence us long after their origins have been forgotten.

A clinical hypnotherapist with specialist qualifications in Past Life Regression, Tim is also a Rebirthing guide and Reiki Master. His approach brings together hypnosis, breath, energy work and expanded states of awareness, inviting people to explore what may lie beneath the surface of their conscious experience. 

Over the years, his work has taken him around the world as a visiting practitioner, collaborating with leading names in luxury hospitality and wellness, including Four Seasons, Aman Resorts and Soneva, and introducing his treatments to an international clientele. 

Soneva is perhaps particularly fitting. Founded in the Maldives in 1995, the pioneering hospitality brand helped introduce the concept of “Barefoot Luxury”, the idea that true luxury can be found not in excess, but in simplicity, nature, freedom and connection. Its approach to wellbeing has evolved far beyond the conventional resort spa; Soneva Soul brings together movement, mindfulness, breathwork, ancient healing traditions and visiting practitioners from around the world.

It is within environments such as these, where conventional wellness increasingly meets ancient practices and explorations of consciousness, that Tim’s work has found an intriguing home. 

For SANCTOUM, we wanted to go beyond the mystery often associated with Past Life Regression and ask the more interesting questions:

What actually happens when we enter these altered states of consciousness? 

Are we accessing memories, symbols, the subconscious, or something we do not yet fully understand? And most importantly, does it matter where the experience comes from if it has the power to change the way we live today? 

For SANCTOUM, Time Stoneman explored the practice, the possibilities, and  the fascinating territory between memory, consciousness and healing. 

As a hypnotherapist who does Past Life Regressions (PLR), I’ve often been asked “why? What’s the point of past life regressions?”

It’s a fair question.

I’ve always believed there are three main reasons someone might wish to explore past lives.

For some people, it’s just curiosity. They want to know what the experience is like and who they may have been in a former life.

Often clients arrive who have no majors problems to speak of, who are very happy and content with their lives; They have good jobs and families, they’ve never felt the need for any hypnotherapy or similar treatments before, or even psychotherapy, but they’re curious about this one thing. 

We take them into hypnosis, we take them back through the ether into a past life or multiple past lives, they look around, they experience some things, and then they come out again. Afterwards, they’re invariably satisfied with what they experienced, often very relaxed, sometimes elated, and usually quite fascinated by what they saw. Then they say goodbye, and often never feel the need to do any kind of hypnotherapy again. And that’s absolutely fine. In fact, it’s more than fine.

Other people, however, are drawn to explore their past lives for a more specific purpose. And that usually breaks down into two distinct areas. Sometimes people want healing, and sometimes people want teachings/learning/growth. 

“Some people carry an invisible wound with them.”

They have a problem/pain/trauma in their life that they don’t know the origin of, and they wish to explore their past lives to see if that trauma can be found and released. This is one of the most effective use for PLR, often the most interesting, and invariably the most satisfying for the therapist. Multiple times I’ve seen people walk into the room obviously anxious, nervous and uncomfortable. 

They will sit down and tell me that although their life seems fine on the surface, they’ve always had a major issue that they can’t see to get over; that none of their family suffers from, and that no one can make sense of. By the time they leave the room a couple of hours later, that thing is simply gone, and the client is already starting to look and sound like a different person.