From Fear to Freedom: Lessons from Many Lives, Many Masters (book review)
Jul 14, 2025
Book Review: Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss
Have you ever wondered if you’ve lived before? Or if some of your fears, habits, or strong connections with people might have roots in a past life? That’s exactly what psychiatrist Dr. Brian Weiss explored in his powerful and thought-provoking book Many Lives, Many Masters. This is a very easy to read book, and explores Dr. Brian’s Weiss’s journey from sceptic to believer.
I originally read this book many years ago now, and really enjoyed it. It goes through Dr. Weiss’s journey from only believing what science can prove, to discovering, through his experiences as a psychiatrist, and a scientist, things he couldn’t explain with science.
This would be a great book to explore the concept of past lives; it’s very easy to read, and he isn’t trying to convince you of anything – it’s just him explaining his journey, so others can enjoy it too.
A Little Background
Many Lives, Many Masters was first published in 1988, and has remained a favourite for readers interested in spirituality, healing, and personal growth. Written by Dr. Brian Weiss — a respected psychiatrist — this book tells a true story that changed Dr. Weiss’s life, and the lives of millions of readers. (It’s also available in audio-books, in case you prefer to listen to books rather than read them.)
Before writing this book, Dr. Weiss was very traditional in his medical and scientific training. He didn’t believe in reincarnation, or anything ‘woo woo’. But that changed when he met Catherine, a young lady struggling with strong anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.
What the Book Is About
After Dr. Weiss had tried conventional methods of treating Catherine for 18 months (to no avail), he then tried hypnosis, to see if they could uncover the root of her problems. Dr. Weiss was ‘absolutely amazed’ by the result — Catherine began to recall vivid memories from past lives, sharing details from times and places she had no logical way of knowing. Furthermore, in ‘just a few short months’, her symptoms disappeared, and she was happier, and more at peace than she had ever been in her life.
What was even more surprising to Dr. Weiss was that as Catherine remembered, and spoke about these past lives, her fears and anxiety started to disappear. She became calmer, happier, and more at peace. Dr. Weiss noted that he ‘does not have a scientific explanation for what happened.’
Throughout the sessions, Catherine also shared messages from ‘the Masters’ — spiritual guides who offered wisdom about life, death, and the soul’s journey.
“It took me four years to write about what happened, four years to garner the courage to take the professional risk of revealing this unorthodox information.”
Why It Became So Popular
This book became a bestseller because it opened people’s minds to the idea that healing can come from unexpected places. Dr. Weiss wasn’t trying to prove anything — he was simply sharing what happened, and how it changed his views on life, death, and healing.
It gave people comfort that there may be more to life than what we see. And it made many feel hopeful that the pain they carry might have a deeper meaning — and that healing is possible, even when it feels hard.
What You Can Learn From This Book
Even if you're unsure about past lives, this book has practical lessons you can use in everyday life. I’ve mentioned a few below.
- Healing Takes Time and Curiosity
Catherine's healing happened gradually, by being open and willing to explore. Sometimes, we need to go deeper than just the surface to find out what’s really going on inside us. And while some of us feel that we can do it ourselves, in our own head, sometimes it can be helpful to have others mention things that you may not be aware of, eg. a blind spot. I know I’ve had other people point things out that I wasn’t aware of at the time – and was then able to work on – although an open mind is required, so you can hear and explore more, that you hadn’t initially considered. A closed mind could limit the potential to heal.
- Fear Often Has Roots
Many of our fears might not come from our current life events — they can come from old, hidden wounds (emotional or energetic). Exploring where they might come from (even symbolically) can help us let go. This is not the only book I’ve read on past lives, and how exploring them could potentially help you in this life as well. I’ve also explored this in my own life, although I fully understand that not everyone believes in past lives, and that’s ok. Everyone has their spiritual beliefs, which I respect. My view is that we all have our own journey, our own experiences, and as long as we don’t force our views on others, or harm others, that’s all ok. There are many ways to explore the roots of fears, and different people may benefit from different approaches.
- We’re Here to Learn
The ‘Masters’ spoke about life being a school for the soul. Every experience — good or bad — teaches us something. This helps us view challenges differently, with more acceptance, and less blame. I love exploring, and learning, and see it as part of our journey, our own personal growth. My own thought is that the more open we are, the more we explore, and learn, the more wisdom we get – and we can use that to refine our own version of our Best Life, and what it would look like. And in order to live our Best Life, we need to know what it looks like! š
- We’re All Connected
One of the book’s themes is that we’re not alone - the people we meet in life might have walked with us before in other lifetimes. This can deepen our understanding of love, forgiveness, and purpose. It can also help explain that feeling you might occasionally get – that a spouse was a sibling, or a parent, or a child. Or a variation thereof. I’ve often had those feelings, and this could be one explanation for that particular feeling. Sometimes I’ve also felt that some feelings (eg. communication issues, or strong blocks) feel so deep that they can be very difficult to shift – if they’re lifetimes old, then that could also give you more understanding, compassion, and patience when working through them.
- Trust the Process
Dr. Weiss didn’t plan any exploration of the spiritual realm. He simply followed where the journey of helping his client took him. Sometimes, we don’t have all the answers right away — but if we stay open and curious, we might be surprised by what we discover. Sometimes an open mind takes you direction you don’t expect. (I started Kundalini yoga teacher training without knowing anything about it, and it definitely taught me skills, and took me in a direction that I hadn’t expected.)
When you’re open to what comes up, that can happen. (Oprah has always said that she asks for guidance daily, and just follows the opportunities that arise. “ .. If you are not in flow with God’s dream for you, with Life’s dream for you, if you are out of order if, you are out of sync, it cannot come to you.”)
Final Thoughts
Many Lives, Many Masters is a heart-opening, mind-expanding book. You don’t have to believe in reincarnation to find value in it. At its core, it’s about healing, self-discovery, and the power of the human soul.
If you're looking for a book that blends science, spirituality, and emotional insight in a gentle, non-pushy way — this is a great read. This book gently invites you to explore your own inner world, and perhaps even see your life from a new, more meaningful perspective.
š FAQ about Many Lives, Many Masters
Q - Do I have to believe in past lives to enjoy this book?
A - Not at all. Many readers enjoy the book for its insights about healing, and the journey a scientist took when confronted with something that science couldn’t explain. It’s more about understanding yourself, and your life journey.
Q - Is this book based on a true story?
A - Yes. Dr. Brian Weiss is a real psychiatrist who shares the true story of his patient Catherine (although he changed enough details about her so she wasn’t identifiable). The book describes what happened during her therapy sessions, and how it changed both of their lives.
Q - Is this book religious?
A - No. This book isn’t tied to any religion. It’s more spiritual in nature, and talks about the soul, healing, and growth. People from many different backgrounds have found it interesting.
Q - Can this book help with anxiety or fear?
A - People have said it helped them feel calmer, and more hopeful. It gives hope that healing is possible — even when the cause of pain isn’t obvious. It might also encourage you to explore your own emotional roots more deeply.
Q - What are the ‘Masters’ mentioned in the book?
A - The ‘Masters’ are spiritual guides who shared wisdom through Catherine while she was under hypnosis. Their messages offer comforting and timeless lessons about life, death, and why we’re here.
Q - Is this book hard to read or too scientific?
A - No, it’s written in a simple, story-based way that’s easy to read and follow. Dr. Weiss explains things clearly, so even if you're new to the topic, it feels gentle and approachable.
Q - Can I use any of the ideas in my daily life?
A - Yes, absolutely. The book encourages self-reflection, emotional healing, and living with more kindness and understanding. It reminds us to look deeper, trust the process, and keep learning through life’s ups and downs.
Q - Is this book good for beginners on a spiritual path?
A - Absolutely. It’s a great starting point, because it’s grounded in a real story, and gently introduces bigger ideas without overwhelming you.
Additional Resources
If this has inspired you to explore spirituality, our My Spiritual Self-Discovery Journal can help. It's a dedicated space to explore your own thoughts on spirituality. It's also a great way to record your journey - and see how far you've come as you keep exploring.
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References/Further Reading
Many Lives, Many Masters, Dr. Brian Weiss, kindle version
https://mariaerving.com/oprah-about-flow-alignment/
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It reflects personal interpretations of the book Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss. It is not intended to replace medical, psychological, or professional advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals regarding your health, wellbeing, or mental health needs. The concepts of past lives and spiritual healing shared here are based on personal beliefs and experiences — please take what resonates, and leave the rest.
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