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The memories of the past inhere in what might be called the "Soul Memory" or in that portion of the person called the Atman (Over-Soul or Sutratma)-- in other words, in the Permanent Identity which periodically reembodies for each earthly experience.  Through meditation one stills the conscious mind process and once the habitual state of agitated thought is transcended, the center of consciousness of the personality-self becomes identified with the center of consciousness of the Soul-Self.  In this state, one obtains clear access to the past and future.  
-- Gina Cerminara, Many Lives, Many Loves