(This text is part of Chapter 2 of my book: "Past
Life Therapy, Manual and Certification for Therapists").
Reincarnation
is the concept that a person's consciousness or soul can be reborn in different
bodies, times and places, throughout successive existences. Reincarnation
implies that life is not limited to a single opportunity, but is a continuous
process of learning, evolution and improvement. Reincarnation also implies that
death is not the end, but a transition, another stage in the journey of the
soul.
Reincarnation is an idea that has been present in many
cultures, religions and philosophies throughout human history. However, not all
conceptions of reincarnation are the same, nor is all evidence of reincarnation
accepted by all. In this chapter, we will explore some of the main sources of
information and argumentation on reincarnation, from different philosophical,
religious and scientific perspectives. We will also discuss some of the
benefits and challenges that reincarnation poses for the understanding of life,
death and human destiny.
PHILOSOPHICAL EVIDENCE FOR REINCARNATION
Reincarnation has been advocated by many philosophers
of different times and places as a way of explaining the nature and purpose of
human existence. Some of the philosophical arguments in favor of reincarnation
are:
- The argument from justice: this argument holds that
reincarnation is necessary to ensure divine justice, as it allows each person
to receive the consequences of his or her actions, good or bad, in this or
other lives. Reincarnation also allows each person to have the opportunity to
repair his mistakes, to settle his karmic debts and to progress in his moral
and spiritual development.
- The diversity argument: This argument holds that
reincarnation is necessary to explain the diversity of conditions, capacities,
talents and destinies of people, which cannot be attributed to chance,
determinism or the will of God. Reincarnation allows each person to have a
unique history, a specific mission and a personalized life plan, which is
tailored to his or her needs, interests and goals.
- The preservation argument: This argument holds that
reincarnation is necessary to preserve memory, identity and continuity of
consciousness, which cannot be destroyed by physical death. Reincarnation
allows each person to retain and retrieve the memories, knowledge, experiences
and lessons of their past lives, which enrich and guide their present life.
RELIGIOUS EVIDENCE OF REINCARNATION
Reincarnation has been part of the doctrine or
tradition of many religions, both Eastern and Western, as a way of
understanding the relationship between human beings, God and the universe. Some
of the religious evidences of reincarnation are:
- Sacred texts: many sacred texts of different
religions contain explicit or implicit references to reincarnation, as a
reality or a possibility for the human soul. Some examples of these texts are:
the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutra, the Dhammapada,
the Majjhima Nikaya, the Bardo Thodol, the Zohar, the Quran, the Gospel of
John, the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse, etc.
- The testimonies of the Masters: Many spiritual
masters of different religions have affirmed or suggested that reincarnation is
a truth or a teaching for their followers, as a way to enlighten, guide and
motivate their disciples. Some examples of these teachers are: Buddha, Krishna,
Lao Tse, Confucius, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, Rumi, Kabir, Nanak,
Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Yogananda, Sai Baba, Dalai Lama, etc.
- Spiritual practices: Many spiritual practices of
different religions have as an objective or as a result the access, recovery or
liberation of past life memories, as a way to heal, understand or transcend the
cycle of reincarnation. Some examples of these practices are: meditation,
prayer, fasting, asceticism, ecstasy, channeling, etc.
These are just some of the religious evidences that
support the idea of reincarnation, but there are many more that can be found in
the beliefs, rites, symbols and myths of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism,
Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism,
Baha'ism, Spiritualism, Theosophy, etc.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF REINCARNATION
Reincarnation has been the subject of study and
research by some scientists, both from the natural and social sciences, as a
way of exploring the nature and scope of human consciousness. Some of the
scientific evidences of reincarnation are:
- The cases of spontaneous memories: these cases
consist of people, especially children, who remember details of their past
lives, without having been induced or suggested by anyone. These memories are
usually verifiable, coherent and specific, and are often accompanied by
birthmarks, phobias, talents or affinities related to their past lives. These
cases have been documented and analyzed by researchers such as Ian Stevenson,
Jim Tucker, Erlendur Haraldsson, etc.
- Cases of induced regressions: These cases consist of
people who remember their past lives under the effect of some induction method,
such as hypnosis, relaxation, meditation, etc. These memories are usually more
profound, emotional and therapeutic than spontaneous ones, and can also be
verifiable, coherent and specific. These cases have been documented and
analyzed by researchers like Brian Weiss, Michael Newton, Dolores Cannon, etc.
- Reincarnation studies: These studies consist of
experiments, surveys, statistics or models that attempt to demonstrate, measure
or explain reincarnation from a scientific perspective. These studies are
usually based on empirical evidence, mathematical logic, quantum physics or
transpersonal psychology. These studies have been conducted and published by
researchers such as Charles Tart, Robert Almeder, Ian Lawton, Bruce Greyson,
etc.
The Benefits And Challenges Of Reincarnation
Reincarnation is an idea that has profound and
far-reaching implications for the understanding of life, death and human
destiny. Reincarnation offers benefits and challenges for the person who
accepts, explores or experiences it.
Some of these benefits and challenges are:
- The benefit of hope: Reincarnation provides a hope
that life does not end with death, but continues in other forms and in other
worlds. Reincarnation also provides hope that life has meaning and purpose,
which is revealed through the experiences the soul chooses to live.
Reincarnation allows one to see life as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to
love and to serve.
- The challenge of responsibility: Reincarnation
implies a responsibility that each person is the creator of his or her own
reality, and that he or she must assume the consequences of his or her actions,
both in this life and in other lives. Reincarnation also implies a
responsibility that each person has a mission to fulfill, and must do so
ethically, consciously and with commitment. Reincarnation demands to see life
as a choice, a test, a debt and an offering.
- The benefit of wisdom: Reincarnation brings a wisdom
that life is a process of evolution, which involves the development of the
potentialities of the human being, both individually and collectively.
Reincarnation also brings a wisdom that life is a school, which implies
learning the lessons that the soul needs for its perfection. Reincarnation
allows one to see life as an adventure, a discovery, a challenge and an
opportunity.
- The challenge of liberation: Reincarnation implies a
liberation by understanding that life is not determined by destiny, but depends
on the will and action of each person. Reincarnation is also a liberation that
life is not conditioned by suffering, but can be transformed by compassion and
joy. Reincarnation allows us to see life as an expression, a creation, a
transformation and a realization.
If
you wish to further expand your study and knowledge on this subject, I
recommend my book "Reincarnation: the theory of reincarnation studied from
different religions and disciplines". This text explores the concept of
reincarnation from various religious, philosophical and esoteric perspectives,
as well as its relevance in the modern world. Through several chapters, the
reader can learn about the origins, interpretations and implications of the
belief in reincarnation, for the application in their own mental, emotional and
spiritual well-being. You can find it in printed or digital format, in the main
online book sales platforms. I wrote this text as a complement to past life
therapy, and it can be consulted by both therapists and clients, or simply
curious minds who wish to explore the subject in depth.
(Post by Isis Estrada, March 2024).
Link to the book "Past Life Therapy: Manual and
Certification for Therapists":
https://www.amazon.com/Isis-Estrada-ebook/dp/B0CWSLPQFV
Link to the book "Reincarnation: the theory of
reincarnation studied from various religions and disciplines":
https://www.amazon.com/Isis-Estrada-ebook/dp/B0CNW1QGCG