This Discovery Channel special about reincarnation gave me chills in a good way (see the video in five parts - about 45 min. total in m yYoutube channel on the right toolbar). They follow the work of researchers from the University of Finland and the University of Virginia who examine the past-life claims of children. In fact, the University of Virginia has been studying reincarnation for decades, interviewing children for remembrances, comparing stories to documentation and sometimes physical similarities. http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2001/03/stevenson.html
I found it hard to classify my stand in your 'vote' because I don't believe in it for reasons stated below, but I give lip service to the idea as explained here. When I am frustrated with inequities - gender related - of household responsibilities, I say quite loudly "In my next life I am coming back as an intelligent MAN!". Similarly when I look around at the differences in teaching routines (like grading, planning, hall duties, etc) and I see colleagues who don't care about those things and never seem to get into trouble by not doing them (in my eyes) properly, I say 'next life I want to be a ..... teacher!'.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if I look at my religious beliefs, I am fairly traditional. I look at the community of believers and how their personal philosophies propel their beliefs. I don't see huge communities of reincarnated people.. yet, if it exists, maybe we don't know about it, but then why the purpose of it as a 'religious' belief? I am not opposed to contradictions within a particular sect and I have no problem with not participating in Sunday rituals or parts of them, e.g., parts of the Nicene Creed, I just leave out phrases, and so far, no beams of the church structure have collapsed on me.
I look for the leadership of a sect - how do they get their 'power' - A Jim Jones approach is not my cup of tea.
I like your title of your blog, meagainin2013, thinking.. does the reincarnation occur at 'birth' or at an age of intellectual discretion?
It's interesting that you should say "I don't see huge communities of reincarnated people," because the reincarnation research conducted at University of Virginia and the University of Finland both have found large groups of people claiming past lives - in Asia- specifically in Sri Lanka and some other places. And not surprisingly, the belief in reincarnation is strong part of their culture.
ReplyDeleteYour last question is a good one...if I understand it correctly the question is a type of rebirth happening as a part of awareness? And that wouldn't have to happen at birth necessarily....
We choose to reincarnate, I was sceptical until I began to recall some elements of my planning, hence deja vu. Reincarnation begins before we are born, but souls commit once they are born, hence the theory why many new borns dies early.. they are choosing not to continue with their incarnation. Whilst we have paths we use our free will to choose the direction of the probable or possible .
ReplyDeleteSociety is a mixture of old and new souls, new souls will have few past lives therefore few if any recollections where as old souls may remember some relevant past lives for certain reasons with triggers or familiar people or places. A mixture means the old souls can help the new ones learn lessons and support them.