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I Want to Believe in Reincarnation!
The lone ship at sea
“I look upon death to be as necessary to the constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.” --Benjamin Franklin
I awoke with a start, leapt from my bed and looked around. I wore a loosely fitted white shirt with black satin pants, a black sash around my waist, and sandals. A raw and ugly scar ran the length of my chest diagonally. I was in a small, sparsely furnished room. The candle next to my bed had burned out, and I guessed I slept for many hours. I cautiously ventured forth from the room and made my way through a narrow corridor with creaking wooden floors before emerging on the deck of a great ship at sea. I looked toward the poop deck and saw sailors mixed with soldiers. That meant we were going to battle. A smaller man with a mass of blonde hair that tumbled down toward the small of his back stood toward the front of the deck, deep in thought. When he lifted his eyes and finally saw me, he smiled gently and approached.
The man placed an arm on my shoulder and said, “You are finally awake!” He gazed at me with a look of relief. “I do not blame you for your deep sleep, given the wound you suffered during our conflict ashore. Many would have slept through the last patrol rather than return to this poor world.”
I nodded in agreement but said nothing. “You are no doubt curious about the progress of our mission,” the blonde man continued. “The Seraphim is a fine ship. We will reach the islands in two days. Do not worry—your daughter will be found.”
Suddenly a watchman cried, “Captain! Something is approaching fast—at the aft!” The fear in his voice was palpable. We hurried to see what was there, and as we passed the group of terrified men I wondered what could panic such hardened, battle-tested sailors and soldiers. The captain grabbed my arm reflexively as he cried out in fear, “It cannot be! It cannot!” I stared outward in shock and horror….
I opened my eyes, my body drenched in sweat. I was aching and exhausted. I quickly turned on the lamp and realized I was safely in bed. I held my head in my hands and tried to calm myself. The dream came frequently now, far more often than it used to. It lasted slightly longer this time as well, but the details never changed. It all appeared so real. It seemed completely natural to be on the deck of a massive ship at sea. I felt as if I had always known its blonde-haired captain, as if we were lifelong friends.
I reported the tale of my dreams to a coworker the next day, explaining that if the dreams were symbolic, it was impossible to discern what they represented. It was logical to conclude the dreams were a by-product of something I saw on television and internalized. He theorized it might have been a recollection of a past life. I was incredulous, but he persisted. He asked, “Why couldn’t it have been a memory from another life?” I looked into his faced and returned his smile. Why, indeed?
Reincarnation: a concept that could change the world!
The case for reincarnation
“I did not begin when I was born, or when I was conceived. I have been growing, developing, through incalculable myriads of millenniums. All my previous selves have their voices, echoes, and promptings in me. Oh, incalculable times again shall I be born.” --Jack London
Henry Ford and General Patton, among others, believed in reincarnation. I wish to, also. I truly want to believe in reincarnation. We have no direct evidence that reincarnation exists, but we have yet to prove it doesn’t. We have no conclusive proof of the Big Bang theory, either, and reincarnation is viewed by many scientists from around the world as a valid scientific possibility.
Reincarnation makes absolute sense on one level. The cells in our body wear out and are completely replaced approximately every seven years. Nothing is left of the infant’s body I was born with—it has been gone for decades. When I am an old man, nothing will be left of the physical form I currently occupy. From that perspective, our soul or essence inhabits new bodies all the time. When our body ages to the point it can no longer regenerate, why not simply shed it and move to another?
Research with past life regression and accounts of near death experiences has led many to believe that reincarnation is indeed a reality. A ten year study was conducted by Dr. Helen Wambach, a psychologist and author of Reliving Past Lives and Life Before Life (1978). Utilizing past life regression of over 1,000 subjects, Wambach’s intent was to disprove the theory of reincarnation. Asking her subjects specific and verifiable questions about past lives while under hypnosis, Dr. Wambach reported that the information collected was amazingly accurate when compared with demographic data. Only eleven subjects offered information proven as positively false, based upon their descriptions relative to historical records.
Even the Bible tells stories that suggest a historical belief in reincarnation. When Jesus asked the disciples “Who do men say I am?” (Mark 8:27), their answers did not claim Jesus was the son of Mary. They responded that men believed Jesus was Elijah, John the Baptist or one of the prophets (Mark 8:28). The nature of the question and the answers offered clearly demonstrated a widespread belief in reincarnation. It was also believed and supported by Jesus that Elijah had “come again” and was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13-14).
Reincarnation is a concept found among Hindus, Rosicrucians, Spiritists, and Wiccans. It is an element of Greek philosophy and Yiddish literature. Nearly every culture throughout history has entertained the idea that an afterlife, whether on an earthly or spiritual plane, indeed exists.
Could proof of reincarnation change the world?
“I am confident that there truly is such a thing as living again, that the living spring from the dead and the souls of the dead are in existence.” --Socrates
Why do I long to believe in life after life after life, extending through the ages? Why do I want to believe my dreams were more than they seemed? Why do I want to trust them as evidence my soul will return to earth after I die to inhabit another body—that we never truly die?
If we knew without question that we would live again, society could very well be transformed. Validation of the theory of reincarnation would logically lead to an increased study of past life regressions that might ultimately link our past with our present. A wealth of historical data would be ours for the asking.
Perhaps the fear of death itself would fade. Why be afraid to die if we will return? Would removing the specter of death embolden us to take risks—to learn and grow at a pace mankind never dared previously? Would there be an end to hopelessness and despair, knowing that no matter how bad life was, the deck would soon be reshuffled and new cards dealt (for lack of a better metaphor)? People suffering from injury or illness would not be afraid to die. The allure of money and power might dissipate since material goods are meaningless when we begin anew. A sense of brotherhood, instilled through recognition that multiple lives make racial and ethnic differences illusory, might signal the end of global conflict.
In fact, any boundaries that divide us as people—be it race, sex, faith, national origin, economic status, weight, hair color, and social or political ideologies—would be recognized as artificial. What we are now, someone else will become. With infinite lives and possibilities, all differences would be superficial. The opportunity to live as equals in body and spirit could emerge.
These examples are extreme, of course, but certainly not impossible. I recognize the improbable nature of a wish to see a brotherhood of mankind replace millennia of strife and conflict and lead to a golden age. I comprehend the difficulty of embracing a single concept to achieve this end. I understand it ranks right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny on the naiveté scale, but...
I want to believe.
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Comments
- Author
Thank you Shahid. I appreciate your kind words.
Mike
You are a kind soul ... Right, in itself is Reason enough, for doing, Good.
Please do remember me and my family, in your Prayers.
Thanks, and Regards
- Author
Shahid, thanks for reading and for your comments. I am trying to do the right things for all the right reasons. I hope my desires to do good are reflected in my work.
Take care.
Mike
I think its the Rational, and the Pragmatic way of "Wanting to be Immortal" ... debate.
But Rest assured, you will be Recreated ... as if within a passage, of the blinking of an eye ... Do Good, Follow the True Way of Life ... Try be a Good Human ... and all your Wantings will turn into Grantings ...
- Author
Jewels, thanks for stopping by. You are so knowledgeable, and I appreciate your willingness to share your insights. I would have guess that there is a physiological aspect to our link with past lives, although I lack your background in asserting it is so. Memories of other lives seems likely to be triggered through a physical response. I am going on feelings more than any solid evidence, but it seems natural to assume that if we live again, our link to the past would be physical, mental, and spiritual. Why should this type of occurrence not involve the totality of our being?
I will certainly give the book you recommend a look, and I will confess I am inspired by your comments. I thank you once again for sharing your expertise.
Mike
One thing I need to add to the soup is that it's not enough to work with thoughts. There is a level embedded organically that needs to be addressed. Thankfully psychologists are finally realizing that it's not enough to tell someone to 'just change your thinking'. It doesn't work in many cases. For some it does (lucky them). There is a 'charge' which creates the 'reaction'. Often this reaction is irrational and not so easy to unravel. The charge needs to be decharged, meaning their is a major level of feeling involved in the healing and changing process. This feeling and charged incident is what gets embedded and dealt with by the mind in the form of 'defending characters.' The mind is what creates the story. Unfortunately just unravelling the story doesn't heal the body. You have to decharge and release what's embedded also.
There is a great book by Dr Samuel Sagan "Regression, Past Life Therapy for Here and Now Freedom" which goes into case studies of people who have issues in this life which are traced to past life traumas. Worth a read if you're interested.
- Author
Jewels, thanks again for stopping by. The descriptions of your experiences and the explanations and analysis were fine. Nothing was lacking, and I thank you very much for being willing to describe them in such detail. I confess that I am intrigued at how lives can connect over and throughout time. Call it karma or whatever we wish, the structure and order we seek to understand becomes clearer when we look beyond the boundaries of our own (current) lives.
I don't have a lot to add to what you have said, but I see it as a validation of many things I've experienced and believe to be true. Human nature is defined over lifetimes, and there is more to each of us than meets the eye. To limit our view of life and existence to the here and now is so very limiting.
I thank you again for your insights and encourage you to explain further as you see fit. I feel almost apologetic for not having more to say in response, but your thoughts and ideas are eloquently expressed and will benefit anyone who reads with an open mind.
Thanks again.
Mike
Not easy to condense but I'll give it a go. An incident occurred where a jealous husband killed me because his wife had a crush on me. (I was male). I had no idea of his wife's feelings and went to my death wondering why I could not see, why I did not know what was going on. Interestingly I did not blame this man for killing me (which turned out to be a big mistake). In my death space - the afterlife wanderings I stayed in that space of self blame of not seeing this coming. I was a supposed wise man - I was actually a spiritual teacher which added to my reasons as to why I did not see this coming. The self berating was excessive. I'd obviously forgotten what acceptance and forgiveness was at the time!
In a life (not necessarily linear) proceeding this one I overcompensated for my supposed sense of lack and wrong doing and being less than (I did a good job on self bashing). I spent my time in a community trying to be perfect doing everything I possibly could to atone for my imperfections. This included being very forward thinking and awakened (which was a good thing in itself, but not necessarily what makes you a likeable person!) In that particular life I ended up leaving that community feeling isolated, and unwanted and very lost internally.
I this life both lives played out intermittently in this one. Basically through a volatile upbringing and a lack of feeling secure in my environment my foundations were shaky as far as a sense of self was concerned. What was playing out though was this blaming myself for the actions of other people. Instead of defending myself and being able to discern that I had no fault in events, any friction and trauma, reactions other people were having I tended to take personally. As if some how I could prevent it or make that person feel better. It certainly created this victim mentality.
I would overcompensate, work extra hard to try and make everything just right - all those psychological explanations as to why we do what we do. I had also had my toes stepped on many times, taken for granted, seen people valued over me and rewarded for my efforts.
In regression (about 10 years ago), I saw the past life where I was killed, I saw the scenario play out, saw my reaction to it. But it wasn't until years later I revisited it to see how much I berated myself for it. I also saw how I blamed myself for something I had absolutely no control over, and saw how silly I was to think I was some super person who could be all seeing and knowing and prevent it from happening.
I unravelled the entire story, stories actually - as the second life created a twist over the first. The hardest part was to stop blaming myself for the actions of others. I had created a good martyr character plus my own ability to see two sides to every story worked against me. We use this one to explain why, but it doesn't heal the woundedness underneath. I finally was able to get to the core and change myself.
Is difficult to explain. I've over-explained some and not hit other parts, this happens when trying to convey my experiences. Perhaps ask questions, that may be easier. I generally do better when questions are involved.
- Author
Jewels, thanks for coming back by. Your perspectives and insights are inspired. I wish at this late hour I had the mental agility to respond more appropriately. Alas, it is late and I must soon be off to bed. I am intrigued by your assertion that you resolved a major issue regarding previous lives (if I have interpreted your words correctly). I would invite you to share whatever details you wish to, knowing that I am a believer. As I still seek answers of my own, I am inspired by those who have progressed in seeking the truth.
Thanks so much for stopping by--again, if it were earlier in the evening, my response would be more well-considered. Take care.
Mike
- Author
Flowerpick, thanks for stopping by. I agree completely with your interpretation--we are one with God yet distinct. I also agree that to deny God is to deny a relationship that is truly beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mike
Further to what PJK was saying and also flowerpick above. My understanding is that we are an emanation of a divine source. That divine source is more a state of being and not an individual 'God' at all. In line with reincarnation and our fall into physicality (grossness) - it is this divinity we are trying to attain again. The 'Cosmic Joke' is that we are already this divine being having a human experience - ie we are all spiritual beings having a human experience.
To say we are God is not really helpful. To become this divine state again is almost unfathomable. Interestingly it is unfathomable from our human mind. To become God is to be out of our minds completely, at least out of our tiny human minds. Our perspective and our standpoint is from the human one, we are but tiny ants in comparison to the hugeness of our spiritual selves. Hard to comprehend - but if we are an emanation it's not so difficult to put the puzzle pieces together. Reincarnation is the cycle of birth and death until we reach a state of wholeness again - the Absolute (as mentioned in the Upanashads). This state of consciousness is massive and void of emotions.
To say God has different emotions each time he incarnates (as in within us) is a furphy. The emanation (we individually) has emotions, the Absolute (collective United consciousness = Absolute) is beyond the waves of emotions and has attained oneness (Nirvana) and has ended the cycle of reincarnation.
Interestingly, there is not one person alive who can say they have attained Nirvana or the Absolute, because to attain it means never coming back. You are completely reunited with this divine source. There are of course people who have reached enlightenment - this is not the same as the Absolute.
Am glad I revisited this hub Mike. I have just resolved a major issue which began life times ago. I had a lot of clarity, lots of details on two particular past lives and this life. Resolved it this month. Am wrapped, particularly in relation to the transformational angle. My life is changing for the better as a result of resolving this one.
hi mike
I believe also that we are one with God yet distinct.. we are all individual spark of God yet God has its own personality. if someone deny God's individuality and personality then he will miss how sweet to have a relationship with Him..
hope you have also a time to read this hub..
thanks!
cheers!
- Author
PJK, thanks for coming back. I have never been comfortable with the idea that we must believe in God to see heaven. As you assert, that leaves those of other faiths or life circumstances in a quandary. I can accept that any belief (religious or otherwise) that leads one to a good and honest life offers equal opportunity for heaven--whatever heaven turns out to be.
I am more of a belief that we are of God but separate, but that explanation is open to vague semantics. I do believe a spark of divinity lives inside us. If that means God is man, then we are in a kind of agreement. Many find the idea of an external God difficult to accept, mocking the idea of an "invisible super being." I am not among those who feel that way, however. I am comfortable believing God and man are linked but separated. It has been some time since I have considered such things in detail--I have been comfortable with my beliefs for many years.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Mike
Hi Mike.
Goddard would say it wasn't his theory as he experienced all that he told of. Alas I too must reluctantly hold it theory...but dam it fits well with all the experimental results. ;o)
I would not dare to say man is God.
I would however say God is man.
I remember even as a five year old child when I thought about God I figured it had to be that "person inside" all of us that was the same. I called it my spirit. I couldn't accept what my parents told me about having to believe in God otherwise I wouldn't go to heaven when I died. I thought "that can't be right. What about all the other people in the world that never got taught about Jesus because they were Chinese or Muslims... and what about the cavemen? All of them are children of God aren't they Mom?"
So today I find the "theory" that God exists not externally but internally, in all of us, in the form of consciousness or imagination, comforting. Many however find this idea horrifying.
Regards,
Pete
- Author
Pjk_artist, that is an interesting theory worthy of consideration. The idea of a God reincarnating into each individual but without a sense of his own divinity seems logical on a number of levels. I am not certain if you are saying man is God, but I am not quite ready to accept that if you are.
An interesting idea to consider. Thanks for stopping by.
Mike
Hello again Mike. Nice hub. My current school of thought on the nature of reality has God, that is ONE consciousness, ONE being, reincarnating into each and every child born from the womb. God has to forget his divine identity each time...each life... otherwise what would be the point? I wonder if perhaps sometimes he remembers bits of "previous" lives. Maybe this explains your dream. Maybe not.
Regards!
- Author
Tusitala Tom, thanks for stopping by. No, I was never a sailor, either in this life or any other I am aware of. Even in the dream I was a soldier and not a sailor..........
I do think then nature of existence is worth consideration, even if answers aren't yet able to be found. Imagine what it would be like to know we are reincarnated--our perceptions of existence would change dramatically, and likely our everyday lives would be altered, as well. Proof or validation of similar mysteries would have the same effect--we would see virtually everything in new and different ways. It would be amazing and, perhaps, beautiful.
Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate your taking the time to read.
Mike
Wonderful to see so many Hubbers into what I regard as the most important area of our lives: endeavouring to figure out the answers to life's most profound questions: What are we? Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Is there a meaning to our particular life at this time? Great stuff! Love it!
I'm just going to have to follow along with some of you.
Oh, and, Mike - you don't look down on a poop deck, you'd be looking up. I suspect you were never a sailor.
- Author
Pollyannalana, thanks for reading. I believe people from all ages accepted reincarnation as fact, including during the time of Christ. It may or may not prove reincarnation, but it certainly demonstrates a widespread belief. I would love to see something like this proved in a definitive manner, I think it would transform the world.
Thanks for your comments, they are (as always) appreciated.
Mike
I believe the bible teaches reincarnation. It is appointed unto man once to die and God just took Enoch and the Bible says "if you will accept it, John the Baptist was Enoch, so did Enoch come back as John the Baptist and then knew death? I don't have a bible here with me to look up scripture but sure it could be found. Whether that proves reincarnation in general I have no idea.
- Author
Keno, thanks for your comments. I am appreciative that you saw through to the true meaning of my words. I don't want to believe in reincarnation for its own sake--I want to believe in something that will make the world a better place. Perhaps definitive proof would make that happen, or perhaps proof that life exists elsewhere in the universe would do the trick. Maybe proof of intelligent life would give mankind the spark it needs. It doesn't have to be reincarnation. As you say, in time we might hopefully find the answers we seek and transform ourselves. I would love to be around to see it.
Thank you for both your well-considered insights and your kind words--they are greatly appreciated.
Mike
Mike, I can tell you are a thoughtful guy, and I appreciate your reply to my comments. Perhaps the souls are from planets circling stars thousands of light years away. Many religious texts are filled with metaphors. Perhaps the tale of Christ not being recognised until he broke the bread is telling us something. There are now a small group of scientists claiming life in the universe is the exception, not the rule. If we land on one of Jupiter's moons, dip our instruments into the warm water beneath the ice and find it lacking any life at all...well, maybe the earth IS the center of the universe. Of course, who's to say. We have the ability to think, a wonderful gift. In time, we may think all these questions through to their ultimate conclusions. One can only hope if we do, a better world will be the final result. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts on these matters in the future.
-Keno-
- Author
KenoNash, thanks for your comments and insights. Like you, I do not dismiss or embrace reincarnation with any finality. I have also questioned where new souls might come from. Some believe that animals are ensouled and move "up" to higher life forms; others embrace the idea of soul "fragments," implying that more than one person could be reincarnated from the same soul. A friend of mine speculated that reincarnation might be linked to multiple realities, and that there are "primary" realities in which we are ensouled, and "secondary" realities where we exist but are not ensouled. I found that particularly interesting, but of course there is no way to prove or disprove such an idea--at least based on available research methods.
I think a revelation of this type (proof of reincarnation) could be a boon to mankind, but I wonder if proof (if it is real) will not ultimately come from someone trying to disprove it. That seems the primary way to eliminate faulty research and bias.
Thanks again for your insights, I appreciate them greatly.
Mike
I do not dismiss reincarnation out of hand, but there are serious questions that need to be addressed. For instance, there are more people on earth today than ever before. Where are all these new souls coming from? If reincarnation allows for a final destination, it must be a truly slow progression. There is also the concept of the universal mind. If each person who ever lived contributes their memory to that mind, people may simply be drawing on those memories and mistaking it for a past life of their own. I've never seen any compelling evidence that would prove, to me at least, reincarnation actually exists. Most research on the matter is terribly flawed, biased by one view or another, or ends up being complete nonsense. On the other hand, in matters of faith, some things are probably never meant to be proven. If that's the case, it's an entirely mute point.
- Author
Ladyfairz, thanks for reading. I have always kept my faith and have tried to never let doubts rule. Some days are easier than others. I await the time when all mysteries are solved.
Thanks for reading, and for the kindness within your words. Both are greatly appreciated.
Mike
Hello, Keep praying, loving, and studying and all of your doubts will disappear in TIME.
Let your right brain lead you to belief and contentment; your left brain will always want a logical explanation.
"Be ye perfect as your Father is perfect"...it is possible.
Be blessed, Ladyfairz
- Author
Red_Dragon, thanks for your comments. I believe in reincarnation also, I think there is too much evidence in studies to categorically deny it. I too wish a breakthrough of some type could be made--I strongly believe that a discovery like this could transform society.
Thanks again for your comments.
Nice one! I am Hindu and we heavily believe in reincarnation. It is definitely something that is an interesting subject. I wish there was more we could discover about it, good job!
- Author
Singular Investor, I haven't but I will check them out. Thanks for checking in and leaving a comment.
Hi Mike - have you looked at the videos on reincarnation ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1aBip9ge48 -
- Author
Jewels, thanks so much for your comments. I greatly appreciate the depth and insight in your response to my writing. I agree completely, who we were is irrelevent--what we experienced and how it relates to our lives is indeed the issue. It can, as you say, unlock the present and help with the future. To understand how the past affects us could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, psychology, and (of course) history. It might change our perception of religion as we know it. Unlocking our "astral DNA" could offer unimaginable insights into ourselves as human beings and the human condition. A complete (or as close as we could get) understanding and comprehension of reincarnation could literally transform society.
Thank you so much for your comments. Don't feel you got carried away, I was hoping for feedback as insightful as yours.
Hi Mike, totally know what you're saying there. I'm an Inner Space Techniques Practitioner where the depths of sourcing can become phenomenal. One thing to see at the end of the day is the belief of past lives becomes irrelevant. It's not who you were but what you experienced that counts. What a person sees in these states of regression needs to be taken seriously and always linked to their existing life. The past can unlock the present and help with the future.
I've heard that psychologists are slowly coming around to understanding that just talking about a problem is not enough. Satisfying the mind from the state of the discursive mind is a superficial quick fix for many. Admittedly some are satisfied with the quick fix and can move forward easily. But many can't. Their issues are deeper and need a more indepth probing where releases are achieved in the physical, the layer of life force or qi layer, and non-physical layers which include the astral body - the level of thoughts and emotions.
What becomes fascinating is the continuum of consciousness and how that happens. I'm following the work of Dr Samuel Sagan with his work on Subtle Bodies and his huge body of knowledge in the form of knowledge tracks. Learning to see these things myself is a saving grace for a person with a probing mind. As you can tell, I get carried away with this subject. I've not long completely unravelled a part of myself embroiled in a past life trauma so that's why I get carried away!
- Author
Nope, when the day is done, we are what we are--regardless of what people think of us. It doesn't matter a bit.
You know Mike, you can write the complete truth and people will still look at you as if you are a lunatic..does it matter? lol
- Author
Ghost Whisper, you are absolutely correct and you brought a smile to my face with the plain truth of your comments. You nailed it when you said we will eventually find out.
I've been trying to write about things a little less safe recently, and I'm sure a lot of folks will consider me a lunatic before it's all over--so I guess we'll be lunatics together.
Thanks for coming back--you're always welcome.
Mike, my mind is always in a fog..hehehe and of course many people think I am a lunatic heheeh..so what can ya do? Put it out there, something to ponder-this thing called reincarnation-we will all find out sooner or later...now won't we?
- Author
Ralwus, thanks for your comments. I agree, even if the spiritual aspect is removed from the theory of reincarnation, atoms and energy are indeed used and reused, which validates the idea to some degree on the physical level.
Regarding your feelings for the War of Aggression, well--who knows? Perhaps you did have some part in it.
Thanks for commenting. Because of your (for lack of a better word) fame in the world of HubPages, I continually feel honored to have you read my writings.
Thanks again.
In the sense that atoms are continually reused, or the energy from them, it is real. I don't know about the soul/spirit of man though. I used to have a feeling for the War of Aggression, like I had some part in it. I am still pulled to it very strongly.
- Author
Hey, Jewels, thanks for commenting. You raise several interesting points, and I would like to comment on the ideas relating to trauma. The notion that trauma can be unravelled and lead to personal breakthroughs would certainly be a boon to the world's people. It is also interesting to note that trauma has been said to manifest itself physically in the next life. During past life regression, subjects have revealed information about accidents (or even the manner in which they died) that have similarities with marks or even physical deformities. A man shot in the temple with a gun in a previous life, for example, has a birth mark where both the entry and exit wound were in the present life. A boy attacked by a wild animal in one life is born with a deformed arm in another, and so on. (That was hard to say clearly--hopefully you know what I mean.)
Linking your thoughts to my own, if psychological and even physical trauma could be better understood and managed through accepting the idea of of reincarnation, well--the benefits for society (any society) would be tremendous. It would indeed help lead us to a better world.
Thank you so very much for your comments.
Suziecat, I agree with you completely. A belief in reincarnation in no way compromises a belief in God--at least for me. It suggests rather an affirmation of the spirit, the complexities of the universe, and frankly, the notion that we are all equals in the eyes of God and man. Multiple lives offers a balance that explains how God could allow some to live in comfort and others in pain in suffering. It suggests a balance. Reincarnation not only suggests a balance, it suggests, as you note, the justice and wisdom of an all-knowing God.
Thank you for your comments, they are appreciated and welcomed.
I believe in reincarnation and don't feel it negates the belief in God but rather enforces the idea of a just and all-knowing God. Great Hub - sure to stir some controversy.
My understanding of Resurrection is akin to a Transformation of the Physical vehicle which is in line with Rudolph Steiners work. Apparently The Mother who lived in India and written about by Sri Aurobindo was able to achieve in part transformed vehicles or subtle bodies before her death. There is a major difference between Resurrection and Reincarnation, totally different concepts in regard to spiritual evolution. My understanding is that Christian followers not following a path of transformation, but awaiting saving, totally miss the understanding of what Resurrection means. Only through an internalisation of consciousness can the concept be fathomed.
As you mentioned above not everyone would want to know about their past lives, yet in the work of regression and also written about in Ruth Helen Camden's book Past Lives, it can hold the key to traumas in this life. Once the trauma is unravelled, amazing shifts can take place within a person.
I've no doubt it exists, having experienced several myself.
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Hypnodude, you raise an interesting point--anyone processing multiple life memories would certainly have an identity crisis! If reincarnation were proven as fact, it is possible that not everyone would want to know who they were and what they did in a previous life. It might be enough just to know they had more lives. Those that did wish to explore their past further would likely yield mankind an amazing wealth of historical information.
You are also correct in stating there would be a tremendous impact on major world religions. It probably isn't out of the question to suggest that the unification of major religions might be a topic of interest.
It would be a whole new world with astonishing possibilities, both good and bad. It might not be utopia, but it would be fascinating.
Thanks again for your comments.
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Hoowantstono, thanks for your comments. I note the distinction between resurrection and reincarnation. I maintain, however, that if the idea of perpetual return COULD be proven, it might lead to a global transformation in awareness--a universal brotherhood not yet experienced on earth. It is an exciting thought.
Thank you very much for your comments and insights, they are much appreciated.
Reincarnation is a very interesting field. Since it has been "studied" for thousands years in the East I guess there should be some reasons for it. Anyway it can't be demonstrated: first because as you said everything would be seen under a different light, which could lead to a better, less stressful life though. And second because we'll probably go mad having the risk of mixing up memories. A child being born with 1000 years of memories would probably go mad. It's just like dreaming, without dream amnesia we could wake up and believe we can fly or something like that. As regards past life regression my opinion is that it's a good tool but must be used in a controlled environment and looking for proofs, like newspaper news or similar, third party proofs of a previous life.
But again demonstrating it, beside throwing away 95% of actual religions, would somehow lead to a less tasty life than if someone believes we have just one. Which is not all bad anyway. If reincarnation is real than it would be perfectly possible that during dreams we can access our whole life memories. As I said it's a very interesting field, which one day I'm going to study.
Great hub Mike, go on with this issue.
I am pleased to say there is no reincarnation, but only "Resurrection", for which there is evidence and records. Just this is sufficient enough to end this illusionary idea of perpetual return in some other form.
Ressurection knowledge also exposes why there is no reincarnation or ever was or will be.
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Thank you, Ghost. I appreciate your insight. I feared that expressing the idea that reincarnation could transform the world would be taken as the ravings of a lunatic. I am appreciative of your validation.
The time may very well be at hand when the cycle of returning comes to an end. As we reach toward our ideal self, in union with God and the universe, a time must also come when the journey ends, and what we are is what we will be.
It is way too late and my brain is a fog--I might return tomorrow and comment further. For now, thanks again for your comments and your perspective. They are always appreciated, Ghost-Chocolate!
Mike,
I don't believe that it ranks right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny on the naiveté scale.
I feel that we have always known God and spritiually we continue to come back, to physical form, for perfection, to become perfectly attuned to God, one with God, "the world keeps going over and over" as I would say as a child and what I saw and heard in those lights.
I do believe. I also feel that God, Jesus will end this cycle of returning very soon--meaning those who have gone to darkness within their continual reincarnations, will eventually stay in darkness--and those who have gone toward the light--within their continual reincarnations will become one with God. He promises this--to those who stay in "light."
Great Hub and glad I caught it before I went to bed ;)
Hope you are well, happy and have found some resolve!
Blessings to you! Ghost-chocolate :)
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