What's your earliest memory?

[jacrob]

My earliest memory is of (suspend your disbelief as this is true) being body-less and looking at a crying newborn baby (me) and feeling very nervous about joining the body. I felt great apprehension at merging with the body.

This memory puzzled me for years, and remains clear and sharp in my mind. Only once I read the Ra material did it make sense. I've gotten the message from my Higher Self that this was me just prior to incarnating in the body.

What puzzles me is all the talk of our spirits/souls being very eager to incarnate in 3rd dimension or the harvest period for teach/learning/remembering. My memory of this moment instead is a sense of unease, trepidation and unhappiness. It's very interesting to note these emotions in the spirit state.

[reeay]

Early memories is also a technique used in psychodynamic therapy (very helpful for some and helpful for me too)!

Mine was around 3 years old of being extremely sick and waiting for my mother & father to come home from an evening engagement. I just remember being 'drowned' by a sea of red blankets. Everything in this memory had a red hue. I wanted my mother to come home because I was not feeling well.

It's probably not an accurate memory (bc memories are generally faulty) but generally, understanding early memory is like interpreting a dream - it's the imagery + symbolism + your emotions + your thoughts in the memory that matter.

[Bring4th_Austin]

My first memory is a sort of nightmare from when I was just a baby. I have remembered it fairly clearly my entire life. The dream itself was nothing but a sort of menacing purple jagged edge blob "monster," and I remember waking up in a crib crying as my mom came to the crib to sooth me. I can remember sharing this memory with my mom since I was able to articulate it with words. When I was wise enough to question whether it was a real memory, I described to my mom the surroundings and orientation of my crib in the trailer we lived in, and she said it was accurate, so...I dunno, could still not be a real memory, but I have had it my entire life.

[Spaced]

I think my earliest memory is from when I was around 3 and we were living at my grandparents. The memory is very tactile, I was lying on the carpeted floor playing with the radiator. It had these thin metal sheets that would heat up and radiate warmth and while they were mostly covered by a sort of wooden housing you could get to them through an opening in the casing near the floor where I was lying. I was running my fingers along these thin plates bending them out of shape. I though it was so cool that I could change the boring pattern of straight lines just by running my fingers along them.

It might be hard to picture what I am talking about because the only time I have seen that type of radiator was at my grandparent's house.

[jacrob]

My first memory is a sort of nightmare from when I was just a baby. I have remembered it fairly clearly my entire life. The dream itself was nothing but a sort of menacing purple jagged edge blob "monster," and I remember waking up in a crib crying as my mom came to the crib to sooth me. I can remember sharing this memory with my mom since I was able to articulate it with words. When I was wise enough to question whether it was a real memory, I described to my mom the surroundings and orientation of my crib in the trailer we lived in, and she said it was accurate, so...I dunno, could still not be a real memory, but I have had it my entire life.

I had something similar, but the being was black with glowing red eyes. The memory has stuck with me too.

I think children are probably more open to seeing these sorts of things before societal beliefs programme it out of them.

[vervex]

Interesting question. My early childhood memories are for the most part quite foggy, but I would say one of the oldest would be when I was also ~2.5 to 3 years old. I remember my mother had brought me over at her friend's house and the woman was showing me a small wicker cabinet inside which where hung a couple of things, amongst them a small purple bird plushie. I remember being very fascinated by that object, touching it and her handing it to me as a gift. I remember I had it for a while after that in my bedroom, although today I'm not sure what happened to it.

Another memory around the same period was me being taken to the hospital - my mother's (same) friend had a cat and I've been told I wanted to pat it very much. Apparently, I chased it around the house until it was cornered. When I bent to pat it, the cat jumped in my face and cut me with its claws. I do not remember the incident but I remember being in the hospital; I was very scared because I was put on a bed and people were holding me down. I remember feeling desperation and crying as I did not understand what was happening. The doctor put a white sheet of paper on my upper body with a hole for my face, before leaning over me and looking at the cut I had in the middle of my forehead. I do not remember the rest but I still have the scar. This incident did not affect my love for cats; they're amazing and I love them very much

[Eddie]

I can remember an event from back when I was 2 years old. I was standing in the yard next to our house. In the yard next door, there was a pile of soil, about 4 feet high, there because of some excavation or construction work going on at the property. A group of about 5 or 6 young children, boys and girls, just a little older than I ( 3 or 4 years old) were all holding hands, singing some song together, and walking in a line (single-file) up over the pile of dirt. It was a bucolic scene, like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

[Brittany]

I'm not sure which of these memories is earliest, but I remember waking up in my crib screaming because I thought I was covered in dead leaves. I had this bizarre fear of dead leaves when I was a young child, and would scream if one touched me. I still remember the mobile that was in my crib. I also remember learning how to walk, holding myself against the wall to get down the hall. I also remember telling my grandmother I was going to be turning three years old, and holding out three fingers to show her.

[Monica]

Not sure the exact age, but must have been somewhere between 1 and 2, because it was potty training time. I failed at the task and got locked outside. I remember trying to reach the door handle and crying for my mother to let me back in.

Two others come to mind. Not sure exactly how old I was, but must have been somewhere between 1 and 3, because I was still in a crib.

One is that I woke up, realizing that I'd had a dream in which Native 'savages' had invaded our house. I still remember the warrior chief's face! My parents watched a lot of westerns.

In the dream, all my family scattered and hid from the 'savages.' (I put that word in quotes because obviously Native peoples aren't savages, but that is how they were portraying on tv back then.) But they forgot about me and I was left out in the open. One of the warriors had me cornered. I was standing with my feet at an odd angle and looked over my shoulder at him, then woke up and realized that my feet were in that same position, but I was in my crib. That was my first realization that a dream reality existed.

The other is that I 'lost' my stuffed monkey. I called it Mim-Mim. I remember my brothers and sisters were all looking all over the house and yard for my beloved Mim-Mim. They never found him! I was inconsolable! Finally my mother presented me with a new monkey, one of those black and yellow ones with the banana.

I never liked that new monkey. He wasn't as cuddly as Mim-Mim and had a different personality. Later I realized that my mother probably threw away Mim-Mim because he was dirty and ratty, and tried to buy me off with the new banana-monkey.

I did also have past life memories, which I can trace back to around that time or so.

When my son was 3, he told me his memories of being in the hospital. I was blown away that he remembered being a newborn. I knew they were real because he described things from his perspective, that he couldn't have known otherwise. He didn't retain the memories later, though. I wonder how many toddlers have early memories but the parents don't take them seriously, so they just forget. Lots of toddlers have past life memories but they fade away because they're told it's just their imagination.

[jacrob]

I did also have past life memories, which I can trace back to around that time or so.

What sort of past life memories did you have?

---

something I had when I was really little - maybe 3yrs old, was staring in the mirror and being amazed that was me. It didn't feel like me. It would spin me out and I would stare at myself in disbelief. I also caught my son staring at himself when he was about 3yrs and saying "this is me" in a bewildered voice. Maybe it takes the spirit a few years to become accustomed to the new body.

Also around that time I had strong moments of not wanting to be naked as I could feel spirits and ghosts watching me. I would get reallly embarresed and shy if I was alone and naked. i think I was sensing my guides presence. Actually to this day I occassionally get a feeling I'm being watched by many individuals and it gives me a strong urge to cover up.

[Monica]

What sort of past life memories did you have?

I didn't know it was a past life memory at the time, but when I was little I often saw another reality - a dungeon - superimposed over the room I was in.

Bring4th Forums One > Life on Planet Earth > Past Lives

something I had when I was really little - maybe 3yrs old, was staring in the mirror and being amazed that was me. It didn't feel like me. It would spin me out and I would stare at myself in disbelief. I also caught my son staring at himself when he was about 3yrs and saying "this is me" in a bewildered voice. Maybe it takes the spirit a few years to become accustomed to the new body.

Lol, I still do that!

[Brittany]

If I ever become a ghost, I'm going to perv on people while they shower.

[Adonai One]

Many people have reported ghosts folding their dirty clothes and laying out fresh ones as they were in the shower. Some have said that as they thought about taking a bath/shower, they'll find a towel and fresh clothes ready for them with no indication of how it ended up right near their bathroom sink.

Some entities really like to watch alright. Haha.

[Parsons]

I remember my first birthday party. My parents got me a purple/white splotched inflatable ball slightly smaller than me. I remember crawling down the hallway (with worn brown shag carpet) pushing the ball. I can even remember the sensation of the carpet on my hands and knees.

[jacrob]

I love reading these first memories, they all have a dream like quality that is soothing in a way (except Monica being locked out the potty room). They sound surreal.

[Monica]

I love reading these first memories, they all have a dream like quality that is soothing in a way (except Monica being locked out the potty room). They sound surreal.

Oh no, I was locked outside! Out of the house!

[Ankh]

I love reading these first memories, they all have a dream like quality that is soothing in a way (except Monica being locked out the potty room). They sound surreal.

Oh no, I was locked outside! Out of the house!

Still... Who does that to a child...

Sorry to hear that, Monica.

[Monica]

Still... Who does that to a child...

Sorry to hear that, Monica.

Thanks Ankh!

[reeay]

I love reading these first memories, they all have a dream like quality that is soothing in a way (except Monica being locked out the potty room). They sound surreal.

They are a dream of sorts. Consider that memory may be edited throughout your life based on your changing world views (e.g., our beliefs, generalized beliefs about self, our values) and emotional state, and that our brains only become capable of encoding memories around age 2-3 years old (we're not physically capable of remembering younger than 2-3 because the brain is not sufficiently developed for our memory capabilities to work). It is possible that these events did happen and did not happen.

So the utility of early memories may be in the archetypal information that you may elicit from them, and that may be used to deepen your understanding about self in this current moment. Kinda like a chapter in your self- mythology

[jacrob]

I love reading these first memories, they all have a dream like quality that is soothing in a way (except Monica being locked out the potty room). They sound surreal.

(we're not physically capable of remembering younger than 2-3 because the brain is not sufficiently developed for our memory capabilities to work).

I have to disagree with this as I have a distinct memory from well prior to 2yrs of age. I was too young to walk and was crawling around my aunty as she got her hair cut. She left the country shortly after - a couple of months after I turned 1yrs old. So I was about 1 when this occured.

[reeay]

Regardless of whether we have those memories or not at a young age, it doesn't matter tho. It's mostly about the meaning you place upon a specific memory. Memories help you to cope or problem solve or give you clues so you know what needs to be made conscious, etc. Memories could be controversial too (esp if it has legal ramifications). The main point is, it's a resource and tool that may be used for growth/development.

E.g., my earliest memory helped me to see how angry (the red that I saw was anger) I was with my mother for not being there when I really needed her. I kind of globalized that as 'I lack nurturance from others' etc., kinda hit me in this vulnerable spot and realized that I depended on others to 'give' me nurturance and would get angry bc I perceived I was always giving but never got back in return. So going from one memory I learned so much and grew up a little .

[jacrob]

Actually speaking of red I find alot of memories are filtered through a certain colour. This may speak to the emotions/chakras being honed at the time.

My pre-incarnation memory has a black filter. My crawling memory has a green filter and there was also a green glass bowl with lid.

The mirror memories have a red filter. Not sure if I'm making sense here. Another memory of when I was lying in the sun and my nose bled has a red filter also.

[Adonai One]

I was little and I was wearing red shorts. Then I wet my pants. My mother was mad at me. Heh.

[Monica]

(we're not physically capable of remembering younger than 2-3 because the brain is not sufficiently developed for our memory capabilities to work). It is possible that these events did happen and did not happen.

So the utility of early memories may be in the archetypal information that you may elicit from them, and that may be used to deepen your understanding about self in this current moment. Kinda like a chapter in your self- mythology

Respectfully, I know it is possible to remember from an earlier age, because my son did. When he was 3, he recounted to me his memories of being in the hospital. It was most definitely not just 'archetypal memories' because he remembered very clear details.

It also wasn't regurgitating details he'd heard us talking about, because he told his story from his perspective, using terms that we didn't use, but based on his limited understanding.

They were most definitely genuine memories.

I acknowledge that this is exceedingly rare, but it happened! I speculated that it was probably because of all the bluegreen algae (brainfood) I consumed during pregnancy.

[reeay]

The understanding right now is that a human child will be able to encode and retain episodic memory (memories about autobiographical event) when language skills are sufficiently developed. Some children may develop memory capabilities earlier than others if they are a bit ahead in their language development. That could be somewhere between 1-2yo+. We may also retain memories via sensory and emotional means but may not be able to recall specific events or the memory about the event is very vague. But then, our understanding of the brain is still in its infancy so who knows. I don't know much about brain-foods but I think if you combine general health, genetic factors, and condition of the pregnancy, it's possible that those factors could be related to the child's abilities.

[Monica]

The understanding right now is that a human child will be able to encode and retain episodic memory (memories about autobiographical event) when language skills are sufficiently developed. Some children may develop memory capabilities earlier than others if they are a bit ahead in their language development. That could be somewhere between 1-2yo+. We may also retain memories via sensory and emotional means but may not be able to recall specific events or the memory about the event is very vague. But then, our understanding of the brain is still in its infancy so who knows. I don't know much about brain-foods but I think if you combine general health, genetic factors, and condition of the pregnancy, it's possible that those factors could be related to the child's abilities.

In my son's case, he recalled 2 specific events: crying and I didn't come (he was in intensive care) and medical procedures which he described from his perspective. The crying was an emotional imprint and the medical was a physical imprint. He remembered both and described them so accurately that there no question they were real memories.

He was far, far ahead in cognitive skills and language - speaking and reading at a very early age.

We have to also take into consideration that these new children may be mutating. Many of the new children have abilities not yet recognized by mainstream science, such as telepathic abilities, past life recall, etc.

[reeay]

As long as the child doesn't mull over "ok am I right or wrong about this recollection I had" and uses it as a means for self understanding it's a great source of info. If the memory were of a traumatic incident and a great source of distress in a person's life it would be another story, too.

It's possible that children are changing. It's thought that children's brains are highly sensitive to the quality of their bonding with others and types of interactions they have with the 'outside world'. They are definitely developing faster and in different ways than past generations with our societal and technological advancement. We still have ways to go to be a social memory complex lol

[Ankh]

If the memory were of a traumatic incident and a great source of distress in a person's life it would be another story, too.

What would that another story be?

[reeay]

If the memory were of a traumatic incident and a great source of distress in a person's life it would be another story, too.

What would that another story be?

Recalling memories of childhood trauma could retraumatize a person so it's sensitive. Regardless of the accuracy of the memory, what they may recall could exacerbate their current mental health.

If someone has an early memory of a traumatic event that is recalled through regression or whatnot, then this person tries to go to court with alleged abuser from the memory (i.e., involves legal system) then it's a very shaky road bc of the whole 'false memory' phenomenon... there is a lot of research done that points to the faultiness of memory.

[Ankh]

If the memory were of a traumatic incident and a great source of distress in a person's life it would be another story, too.

What would that another story be?

Recalling memories of childhood trauma could retraumatize a person so it's sensitive. Regardless of the accuracy of the memory, what they may recall could exacerbate their current mental health.

If someone has an early memory of a traumatic event that is recalled through regression or whatnot, then this person tries to go to court with alleged abuser from the memory (i.e., involves legal system) then it's a very shaky road bc of the whole 'false memory' phenomenon... there is a lot of research done that points to the faultiness of memory.

If the memory of being abused is false and one goes to court and pushing charges towards an innocent person, then yes, I agree with you, that it's a different story.

But if the experiences/memories of traumatic events are there, and one does not work with them, it will make the mental health condition worse, in my experience and understanding. I went about 13 years ignoring past traumatic events, which resulted in the condition called PTSD. One day I decided to treat it.

Enlarging past traumatic events/memories in the mind is not a bad thing. Ra actually advices it:

Then whatever is lacking in the balanced sensation is, as in all balancing, allowed to come into the being after the sensation is remembered and recalled in such detail as to overwhelm the senses.

This is done in traditional psychology too, when I was treated. We went through traumatic memories, enlarging them in the mind, and making them to overwhelm me, step by step. And then applying the current mental state to that which has been in the past. Or as I see it, applying love/light to the past experiences/memories of negative nature.

As long as no other self is being harmed, it shouldn't matter whether these memories are correct or not. They should be brought up into the light of conscious mind and worked with, so that they don't haunt one. I think that this is lacking a little bit in our current, modern society, because people are always seeking for an objective, absolute proof. Did it happen? Did it not? Is this memory correct? Is it not? What does it matter, if this memory, correct or incorrect, is there, haunting you down? It should be worked with regardsless of its "correctness", imho.