by Mark Pitstick MA, DC 

My e-books, ​audio books, audio programs, documentary film, radio shows, articles, and ‘Greater Reality Healing, Living & Helping Program’ are ​all FREE at SoulProof.com.  In lieu of payment, I ask that you fully use the products, share them, and help others as you feel called.

This evidence-based information and holistic resources will help you to . . .

  1. Adopt a more accurate worldview based on contemporary understandings about ‘the big picture of life’ and live accordingly – whatever that means for you. (see article #19 ‘The Great News’ about the Nature of Reality at SoulProof.com)
  2. Experience shorter and lightened grieving after loved ones change worlds and other big changes that seem like losses.
  3. Fine-tune yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually so you have the vitality to handle life’s demands AND share your greatest gifts / soul’s missions.
  4. Become more aware of, benefit from, and share life’s silver linings that always accompany opportunities masquerading as adversity. 
  5. Create the greatest life YOU have envisioned. (The term ‘YOU’ refers to your higher self / eternal consciousness / soul)
  6. Fulfill your highest purposes for being on earth and help make our world a better place. This is now practically possible as discussed in article #125 Eight Developments for Widespread Conscious Living Now. As enough people do this, widespread personal and planetary change will naturally unfold.

To learn more about how you achieve these lofty goals, read the following articles at SoulProof.com/Articles AND watch videos at SoulProof.com/Greater Reality Program.  


                     Must We Forget ‘The Big Picture of Life’ When Coming to Earth?

Conventional wisdom holds that, before coming to earth, we must forget who we are and where we were.  Some religious / spiritual wisdom sources hold that ‘spiritual amnesia’ is an inescapable and beneficial part of the earthly experience.  For example, Jewish traditions say that, just before coming to earth, the ‘Angel of Forgetfulness’ touches us above the upper lip – thus the indentation there.

Here’s a recent question about this topic . . .

Q: I struggle to understand the purpose of forgetting who we are when we come to earth.  Why do we come here with what seems to be a mechanism in place where we forget our true nature?  What is the purpose of losing prior understandings?  This makes no sense to me since life should be designed to go forward in evolution, not backward.  I would really appreciate if you could help me understand this better as it’s a VERY important question.  – Robert

A: It’s commonly believed that people / souls must forget ‘the big picture of life’ before coming to earth, but is that really true?  In this article, I’ll share my best current understandings about this question.  As is usually the case, there’s not a ‘one size fits all’ answer.  The great diversity of souls requires a wide spectrum of factors that can hopefully help them optimally grow, learn, serve, and have adventures. 

I use the terms ‘the big picture of life’, ‘the nature of reality’, and ‘how life is really set up’ synonymously.  While mentioning synonyms, I’ll use the following terms to describe the Creator and Sustainer of All Life: The Light, Source Energy, and G.O.D. (an acronym for the Guiding, Organizing, and Designing Presence and Power that IS all that exists). 

See article #19 ‘The Great News’ about the Nature of Reality to learn ten evidence-based indications about how life is set up that Gary E. Schwartz PhD and I identified, for example, that we each are:

  1. eternal beings of energy / consciousness / spirit who don’t really die
  2. integral and beloved parts of Source Energy / The Light / G.O.D.
  3. visiting earth at this time for specific purposes and missions
  4. sacredly interconnected with all people and nature

As Robert pointed out in his excellent question, it doesn’t make sense that everyone is forced to forget what they learned before coming to earth.  That would be a pretty poor plan on par with other strange religious teachings about how life is supposedly set up:

  • a fiery eternal hell awaits those who don’t believe or act in certain ways
  • a flood was designed to kill most people (by the ‘God’ who recently created everything and judged it as very good)
  • humans are born into sin because the first people on earth (children of ‘God’) disobeyed
  • ‘God’ is a vengeful dictator who controls everything and should be feared
  • there only one way to ‘be saved’ and avoid hell forever

These and other funny-mentalist ‘religious’ teachings have understandably caused many people – who think for themselves and listen to their inner knowing – to reject the reality of a wise and loving Creator and afterlife.  I use single quotation marks around the word ‘God’ to help me and others realize these fear-based teachings were based on ancient beliefs of a small tribe of people who had suffered mightily.  However, with all due respect, those teachings do not accurately describe how the Creator and Sustainer of All Life (the cosmos) thinks and acts. 

One reason for the belief that all people must forget is that remembering would supposedly make our earth-school lessons too easy.  Some think that even partial recall would minimize or negate learning during this earthly experience.  From my vantage point, I don’t believe that’s true.  It can still be quite difficult at times to be on earth even after remembering how life is really set up. 

I know many people who have advanced understandings about the nature of reality; all of them struggle and suffer but not for as long, often, or intensely as most people.  (That’s why remembering your true nature and ‘The Great News’ are vital keys to our Greater Reality Healing, Living & Helping Program.)

In my opinion, mandatory forgetting for everyone is not the way life is set up.  The Creator and Sustainer of All Life embodies and IS the highest level of love, joy, peace, wisdom, and more.  As such, It wants more higher-energies, emotions, and ways of being throughout the cosmos – not less.  As such, The Light wouldn’t require that everyone coming to earth must forget all their hard-earned lessons and insights. 

We are not forced to forget everything before arriving on earth since this is a free-will cosmos.  However, there are multiple reasons why that might occur to varying degrees . . .

1. How advanced is the soul?
Has the energy of the person / soul visited earth many times and learned important lessons? If so, they are more likely to remember and/or detect signs and their inner voice. On the other hand, beginner souls – whose energy / consciousness is having an earthly experience for the first time(s) – may not have learned nearly as much or deeply.  That could limit their detection of signs and their inner knowing; however, as discussed below, that limitation can be addressed.

2. How deeply internalized are past lessons?
Visiting earth many times doesn’t ensure that lessons are deeply learned. Michael Newton PhD described one client who visited earth many times before finally learning the important lesson of forgiveness.  I use the terms ‘advanced or beginner’ versus ‘old or new’ souls since evolution is about internalizing lessons versus showing up a lot.  Internalized or deeply ingrained lessons are easier to recall.

3. How much of the higher self’s total energy is manifesting in this earthly experience?
Some evidence indicates that not all your soul’s energy is needed to visit earth. Estimates are that, on average, 25 – 50% of a person’s total energy is needed during an earthly experience. Some souls may impulsively overestimate their abilities to have a successful life with a smaller percentage of their consciousness involved.  That could diminish how much they remember from other space-time experiences.  By contrast, people who come to earth with much of their life-force available may find it easier to recall important lessons and not have to repeat them.

4. How much in flow with life is the person?
Terms from non-Western cultures for energy / consciousness are Chi (Chinese), Ki (Japanese), Prana (India), and Ba or Ka (Egyptian). When my earthly body reached 50 years of age, I got a small Chi symbol tattoo to remind me that my true nature / higher self is breath, life-force, and spirit.  The degree to which people remember past lessons is affected by how much they live in the flow with Divine energies.  Do they breathe deeply while using energizing and harmonious meditative and breathing techniques.  Do they consciously and intentionally walk with Great Spirit each day?

5. Did the soul choose to forget past knowledge?
There is a huge difference between a cosmic design in which ‘all people have to forget’ versus one in which ‘people can choose to forget for good reasons’. Partial or total spiritual amnesia may assist optimal growth, learning, serving, enjoyment, and adventures.  What is optimal for soul growth?  More advanced and/or adventurous souls may want to forget everything to ‘thicken the plot’ and enjoy an interesting mystery / adventure while on earth.  Less hardy souls might succumb to hopelessness if they didn’t remember at least some of how life is really set up. However, to be clear, those are soul choices versus a blanket mandate from an all-controlling ‘God.’  (Ideally, soul choices are made in conjunction with attending angels, guides, master teachers, and – everywhere and everywhen – The Light.) 

6. Personal responsibility
As always, this is a big factor but one that people don’t like to consider. The best example of this was a patient who, while riding his motorcycle in a very intoxicated state, lost a leg when he hit a guard rail.  In an effort to help him make better choices, I asked ‘Why do you think this happened to you?’  Without a trace of sarcasm, he answered ‘I guess I’m just unlucky!’ 

We each must do our part to remember the big picture of life no matter where we are living or what is happening around us.  Part of that is taking responsibility for forgetting.  Who do you think will remember past lessons and insights more?

     a. Those who make poor choices and often get distracted / side-tracked by trivial pursuits and/or excess drugs and alcohol. 

b. Those who regularly use higher-energy paths such as prayer, meditation, yoga, centering practices, learning about the nature of reality, and helping others?   

It’s really that simple.  To those who say, ‘But all that takes a lot of time,’ is it worth it to feel much more happy, peaceful, and fulfilled?  Over time, most souls realize what’s most important and put in the work to have a heavenly existence whether on earth or elsewhere.  That’s why it’s important to optimally care for oneself holistically, develop a group of kindred spirits, use centering practices, pray, meditate, walk with Creator and your spiritual support team (angels, guides, master teachers, and real self) each day.  

7. Parental responsibility
Some children don’t fully forget that they are beings of light who are having a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst eternity. (They usually wouldn’t use those words, but their smiles, laughter, and manner show they remember.) ‘Unfortunately’, they often are not encouraged to remember and act upon their inner knowing.  They are told it’s silly or crazy when they share it with parents or, worse, are threatened or punished. 

My fiancée Andy Lee RN, DAc shares her personal example.  Her dad passed on when she was three years old and, while swinging in her backyard at age five, she could see him and talk with him.  Excitedly, she ran into the house and told her mom who, instead of supporting Andy’s perceptions and encouraging them, spanked her and threatened worse if she ‘talked like that again’. 

‘Fortunately’, when I was six years old, my parents showed me a beautiful sunset, and I told them it reminded me of God.  They only told me that 18 years later when I was in theology school because they couldn’t fathom why I would equate ‘God the Father’ with a sunset.  They were also very open-minded and curious when I started studying Eastern religions and different philosophies during college.  Their loving support and interest encouraged me to pursue these topics and many people have benefited because of that. 

I used single quotation marks around ‘unfortunately’ and ‘fortunately’ above for this reason: given limited human perceptions and understandings, we aren’t in a position to judge whether those examples were ultimately unfortunate or fortunate.  Parental criticism might spur more advanced souls to learn more but be cautious about when and with whom they share their extrasensory perceptions.  That’s why our job during this earthly experience is to always reach for the highest feeling thoughts – peace, joy, love, gratitude, etc. – and act from that level.   

8. Educational and societal responsibility
The view that everyone forgets everything learned before coming to earth is, in part, a cop-out that’s sometimes blindly accepted by educational and religious / spiritual teachers, and society in general. Maybe that’s ‘God’s’ will and who are they to address it? I believe this is, in part, responsible for the ‘silent majority’ stance of most Christian denominations.  The churches I attended were big on reciting litanies and discussing generalities, but short on addressing important topics.   

Put another way, educational systems and society can do a much better job to help children remember who they are, why they’re here, and Who walks beside them always.  In the U.S., for example, people who suddenly remember the nature of reality – that it’s all good and all G.O.D. – are sometimes diagnosed as delusional / schizophrenic and medicated. 

In some parts of India, people who awakened to how life is really set up but were outwardly imbalanced were highly revered as God-Intoxicants.  They were cared for and revered so they could share their uncommonly wise and expanded view of reality.  Some indigenous cultures don’t let the baby’s feet touch the ground for the first 9 months because they don’t want the little ones exposed to the density of earth too soon.  

People don’t have to forget, but most still do because societies really don’t prioritize spiritual enlightenment.  Many denominations, who supposedly teach about existential matters, teach bland platitudes.  However, Western cultures really don’t want people to wrestle with the many blatant inconsistencies taught by denominations over the ages.  It would be too revolutionary for the status quo who benefit and profit when people don’t think for themselves and live in fear and/or belief that ‘the experts’ know best.

Soul-utions

(That was the name of a radio show I hosted in 2000 – 2001; I liked that term then and still do.  You can listen to interviews with Wayne Dyer, Michael Newton, Raymond Moody, Brian Weiss, and other fascinating guests at SoulProof.com/Radio Shows.) 

What can you do to better recall the big picture of life and help your loved ones do the same? 

Granted, having an earthly experience requires having an at least somewhat perceptually limited host brain.  As amazing as it is, your brain and sense organs detect much less than 1% of reality.  As such, there is much you can’t detect about the big picture of life during your time on earth.  It’s as though you’re trying to see the big picture of life while looking through a tiny pinhole.  And that, my friends, is a primary cause of life appearing to be tragic, unfair, and chaotic. 

The soul involved knows this beforehand and agrees to ‘have blinders on’ during the earthly visit but there is always room for improvement.  Viewing life through a silver dollar sized opening reveals much great news about the nature of reality so it’s eminently worth the time.  (Note: The articles, books, and audio programs recommended below are all FREE at SoulProof.com.)  

To more deeply remember how life is REALLY set up . . .

A. Learn the evidence that no one really dies. Less fear of death opens the door more widely to remembering the big picture of life. In 2026, Dr. Gary Schwartz will share findings from 20 years of university-based research that definitively demonstrate scientifically the continuation of consciousness after bodily death.  His scientific journal paper for scientists will also be shared in a more clear and concise version for lay people. 

This evidence will launch many positive changes including wider realization about the importance of teaching little ones about the big picture of life.  That can be done better when religions are aware of the clinical and scientific evidence and incorporate that into their teachings.  This evidence is presented in articles #1, 60,  and 115 and my free book The Afterlife Evidence.   

B. Fine-tune yourself in body, mind, and spirit
To cover the bases I mentioned in #6 above about taking personal responsibility, see the following articles and resources:

   #12 Optimal Self Care: How to Holistically Fine Tune Yourself and #87 Natural Health Care, and my book Radiant Wellness

   #66 Optimal Relationships for More Evolved People to expand your group of kindred spirits

   #77 Centering Practices to quiet your brain and access your wise inner knowing

    #89 Prayer and #51 Meditation, Yoga, and Relaxation for their many benefits

    #13 What is G.O.D. Like?, #73 Angels and Higher Energy Assistance, and my Ask Your Soul, Angels, and The Lightaudio program.  This will help deepen your daily walk with Creator and your spiritual support team (angels, guides, master teachers, and higher self).  

C. Use my experiential audio programs. The following ones are especially useful to help you recall who you are, why you’re here, what is was like before coming to earth, and Who walks beside you always: 

   Identify Your Soul’s Missions

   Pre-Birth Planning

   Afterlife Contact Technique

D. Help children in your life remember the big picture of life . . .

  1. Talk with (not to) them about what they remember before coming to earth.
  2. Reassure them that pre-birth memories are very common and normal.
  3. Teach them how to quiet their brain via meditation, relaxation, and centering practices.
  4. Use audio programs with deep relaxation and visual imagery so children can ‘check in’ with their higher self each year.(2a and 2b above)
  5. Encourage ‘pre-birth planning’ sessions for children to recall what plans they made on a soul level, why, and how they can optimally fulfill those. (2c above)
  6. Attend a more enlightened church / spiritual center with an emphasis on open-hearts and open-minds.This will provide a greater circle of kindred spirits / tribe for young people. 
  7. Go to places where more evolved souls often frequent: yoga and meditation classes, helping others in need, drumming circles, art studios, etc.(see article #66 Optimal Relationships for More Evolved People)

Sharing with others is also an excellent way to more deeply internalize and personally benefit.

E. Leave room for ‘The Great Mystery’ in life. ‘That Native American term for Creator recognizes that our relatively limited human brains can’t fathom the magnificent vision and design operative in the cosmos. When something happened that Native Americans didn’t understand, they ‘put it in their mystery bag’ and reexamined it a year or so later.  It’s a great tool for remembering to have faith and to let go and let God.  As Paul McCartney’s ‘deceased’ mom told him in a dream: Let it be. 

*       *       *       *       *       *       *

An old song that I hadn’t thought of for 40 years recently ‘popped up’ in my mind.  As usual, I wondered why that song and why now.  I have partial deafness so couldn’t understand the lyrics back then except for the first four words.  Below is part of the lyrics to ‘Unexpected Days’ a great jazz-fusion song by Stanley Clarke.  I will end this article with them and an ultra-important point. 

     “Unexpected days, unexpected ways come your way, life is still now.  Travelers through time sometimes lose their way and they stay always searching.

     Vibrations, strong vibrations feel so full now, oh so clear now.  Vibrations, those vibrations are so strong now, clear and strong now.

     Never pass it by when you feel that glow deep inside.  Recognize it.  Unmistaken signs drift into your life; know them well, you can find it.

     Then you can see the whole universe before you.  And in the new play you’ll find your life can soar too.  On a new voyage of lovе, you’ll find a sign that takes you into that hip place.”

We each receive signs of that ‘still small voice’ within during this earthly experience that is very much like a play, a movie, a brief and exciting but totally safe virtual reality experience.  The question is whether we detect and use those signs and listen to our inner voice.  The information in this article and articles listed below will help you do that.  Sensing the voice of spirit / wise inner knowing – and following it – is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in this earthly experience. 

To learn more about topics I mentioned, see articles:

#13 What is G.O.D. Like?

#15 The Nature of Humans

#16 Evidence-Based Teachings About the Nature of Reality

#51 Meditation, Yoga, and Relaxation

#66 Optimal Relationships for More Evolved People

#73 Angels and Higher Energy Assistance

#77 Centering Practices

#80 Why Are You on Earth Now? S.A.G.E. Training

#89 Prayer

#108 Higher Energies, Emotions, and Ways of Being

#118 Who and What Are You Really?

#131 Greater Reality Healing, Living & Helping Program

                                                                      *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Thank you for telling others about this article!  Your life, and that of others around you, will be more enriched when you:  

  1. read the article again so you really know it.
     
  2. discuss with close family and friends to more deeply internalize it.
     
  3. take action steps that seem right for you.
     
  4. share it with others via social media, discussion groups, and other ways.

Hugs, love, blessings, and let it shine!
Mark

Mark Pitstick MA, DC

– a​uthor, lecturer, c​ounselor, and holistic chiropractic physician 

– spokesperson, researcher, and strategic planner for SoulPhone Project

– ​founder of ‘Greater Reality Healing, Living & Helping Program’

SoulProof.com     SoulPhone.org     ​​GreaterRealityProgram.com ​

University-based research has now scientifically proven that life continues after bodily death.  The SoulPhone Project will enable communication with postmaterial (so-called “deceased”) loved ones and luminaries who want to help us heal our world. How does this project, The Great News, and The 8 Developments affect the way you live and treat others and our planet?  (To learn more, see articles #35, 19, and 125 at SoulProof.com/Articles)

Dr. Pitstick is a master’s clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, and clinical nutritionist.  He has also helped others in pastoral counseling and suicide prevention / education settings.  His goal is to help you know and show that this earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst eternity. 

To learn more about the Greater Reality Healing, Living, and Helping Program, visit the ‘Greater Reality Programs’ top tab at SoulProof.com and SoulPhone.org.  Also see  articles #19, 72, 82, 119, and 125 at SoulProof.com/Articles.

SoulProof.com provides many FREE resources:

  • 8 e-books Radiant Wellness, Soul Proof, The Eleven Questions, Greater Reality Living, The Big Picture of Life, The Afterlife Evidence, Ask the Soul Doctor, and Shining Light Parents Speak
  • 10 audio programs Holistic Breathing; Afterlife Contact; Ask Your Soul, Angels, and The Light; Pre-Birth Planning; Identify and Fulfill Your Purposes AND Enjoy Your Greatest Life; Your Life Review; Past Life Regression and more
  • 4 audio books (Greater Reality Living, Soul Proof, Radiant Wellness, and Shining Light Parents Speak; we don’t have control over the others)
  • Soul Proof documentary film
  • 132 Articles (as of 8/1/25) answering the most commonly asked questions and providing holistic solutions for your toughest challenges
  • 25 Radio Shows: interviews with experts on consciousness, afterlife, and creating an optimal earthly experience.These include Wayne Dyer, Brian Weiss, Anita Moorjani, Raymond Moody, Michael Newton, Caroline Myss, and others. 
  • 27 Videos on different pages
  • monthly newsletters (sign-up at bottom of com and SoulPhone.org)

In lieu of payment, he asks that you: (1) fully use and appreciate the products, (2) share them with others, and (3) help others in ways you feel called.

The following are also available for a fee:

  • 8 printed books Radiant Wellness, Soul Proof, The Eleven Questions, Greater Reality Living, The Big Picture of Life, The Afterlife Evidence, Ask the Soul Doctor, and Shining Light Parents Speak
  • Coaching / Counseling Sessions with Dr. Pitstick by Zoom to gain answers to your biggest questions and holistic solutions to your toughest challenges.

Note: This article is intended as a reference source, not to replace professional treatment for physical, emotional, or mental problems.  The author disclaims any liability arising directly or indirectly from the voluntary use of action steps discussed in article. 

Dr. Pitstick created this article while ‘wearing the hat’ of a clinician, counselor, and educator.  His statements are based upon some scientific research; much clinical and experiential evidence; his personal experiences; and best current understandings.  This article does not reflect his role in the SoulPhone Project since that requires scientific data for all statements.