Nelson Aspen gives the inside story on how he discovered his previous life and how he hopes to fulfill the dreams of his predecessor.

What was your first hint or thought that you may have a previous life?

I'm not prone to metaphysical beliefs, as much as I love Shirley MacLaine.  But from my earliest memory, I've had a series of dreams, coincidences and intuition that led me to believe I'd "been here" before.

When did the Titanic connection first emerge?

I'd always had an uncanny fascination with maritime disasters...particularly with passenger liners.  I grew up in the days before the Internet, so information wasn't as readily accessible as it is today.  Through a series of "accidents," I eventually came upon the story of Milton's demise, which directly paralleled the recurring dream I'd had since childhood...of sliding down a long banister and being pulled into the blackness at the end of the rail. 

 

This is almost exactly how an eyewitness to Milton's demise described his final moments. 

Plus the fact that random people throughout my entire life (including TITANIC discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard) have called me "Milton" upon first meeting me.

Do you believe all people could find out about a previous life?

No, I don't think so.  I feel as if I've only had one previous life; some folks think they've lived many times.  Maybe it's your FIRST life.

I read an interesting book that affected me, "You Were Born Again to Be Together," about how couples seem to find each other based on relationships they may have shared (positive or negative) in a past life. 

It made a lot of sense to me although Milton, like me, was single and unattached.

Are there any rules about it do you think?

I think all of us are put on this earth as special and unique individuals, regardless of how many "lives" we may have had before and that all spiritualities operate on the "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You" credo. 

Many of Titanic's 1st Class Male passengers actually survived because of the class/caste system, but Milton (a 1st Class passenger) obeyed the "Women & Children First" policy and, consequently, perished.  I feel as if perhaps it is in MY life that I can achieve some of the opportunities he missed out on by having his cut short.  He obviously wanted to travel the world. 

Maybe when I have a global adventure or do a kind deed for someone, I am honouring his ambitions.

Have you come across many others with similar pasts or indeed, Titanic travelers? 

No, but I have met many Titanic historians over the years who tell me that it is not at all uncommon to meet people who have this same intense identification with elements of her story. 

People ask me if I'd be interested in meeting Milton's family and I'm not at all.  His body was recovered and buried in his hometown, so I'm glad that he can rest in peace.  My connection to him is through the past, not the present.

What else are you up to? We haven't seen you much lately.

I'm actually working on an autobiographical book that will be coming out later in 2008 which goes into greater detail of my connection to the Titanic, as well as other interesting aspects of my life that you don't always get to see on SUNRISE! 

Stay tuned...the voyage has just begun!