Have You Ever Wondered About Reincarnation?

I did and so I spoke to an expert on the subject. Here's the story of what I found out...

First and foremost I must say that after having considered the concepts of Karma and reincarnation that I find the two fail when considered as a whole. The reason, is simple... Karmic debt fails to resolve the issue of why we're 'born' in the first place. Simply defined Karmic debt means "Things important to your soul growth that have been left undone in a previous existence, past lives, or a hurt or damage that you have inflicted on another and must be resolved before further soul growth can take place. This is referred to as Karma which implies the karmic debts we have incurred over the many ages we have walked upon this earth."

According to Buddhists as well as Hindus the purpose of reincarnation is so that we can 'pay off' our karmic debt and ascend to a higher level of existence. Obviously, while those who believe in karma don't use the term sin in a Biblical sense it is the same as 'sin.' A major issue of karmic debt and reincarnation is that the reason one is born into the world is to pay off karmic debt so that we become 'perfected beings.'

My Conversation With a 76-Year-Old Buddhist

On a plane flight about 15 years ago I had the opportunity to speak to a 76-year-old Buddhist by the name of Mai. Fortunately, I had a pocket recorder with me and was able to record our conversation.

Mai and I talked about religion and dogmas and doctrines that were both similar as well as contrary to one another. When she brought up the subject of reincarnation I was intrigued and we spoke at length about it. At one point I asked her to tell me why she thought it was necessary for us to be reincarnated and her reply was (paraphrased): "Reincarnation is the way, the instrument, by which our souls are perfected. Since one lifetime isn't enough to attain this goal our consciousness or soul is reborn many different times which each subsequent life encompassing a different set of lessons until perfection is, at last achieved."

When I asked Mai about Karmic debt she gave me the definition I've supplied above. Then I asked her the following questions:

"Okay, forgive me for asking what I'd assume is a simplistic couple of questions but... 'If we are reborn to learn more things and to pay off our karmic debt -- that is to correct the injustices or wrongdoings (whether moral or otherwise) -- then why are we born in the first place since, I'd assume that prior to the first person being born he or she or 'it' had no karmic debt whatsoever and would have, by definition, been perfected or ascended? Also, where did all the souls come from originally if the sole purpose of one being born into the world is to become perfected?'"

To my utter astonishment this lady, a very intelligent woman, sat back in her chair on the plane and stayed silent for nearly 10 minutes. Then, she simply stated, "I'd never thought of that. I'll have to ask my teacher."

We exchanged phone numbers and have stayed in contact for years but Mai has never found a answer that "serves to nourish her intellectually" (her words) concerning the issues.

Conclusion

While I was obviously intrigued by the concepts found in Buddhism and other religions that proposed reincarnation I eventually concluded that they left more questions than they had answers for.

Okay, having said the above, I've got first hand knowledge of life after death because on February 16, 2008 (just over a year ago) I died and was translated into Heaven. This experience has forever changed my entire life. No longer is there any question in my mind 'if' there is an afterlife. I've already experienced it -- even if it was for only a few hours.

I had the foresight (or was given the foresight) to document my entire journey from before I died (at the time I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer), while I was going through cancer treatments, when I died (what happened, whom I met, and what I saw while in Heaven), and my resurrection. I've written about the experience in the book, "Death, Heaven and Back" by Lonnie Honeycutt. I've also had the opportunity to have my testimony taped and placed in DVD format -- the title of the DVD is: 'What If It's True: Death, Heaven and Back (Risen to Live Again).

If you're considering the religion of Buddhism (which is essentially atheistic) I'd highly suggest that you either watch the DVD on my experience in Heaven or read my book (Death, Heaven and Back). I'd also like you to consider reading the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn (it's absolutely the BEST book I've ever read concerning the subject of LIFE after death).