Reincarnation

[R.G. White]

There is supposed to be a long period of study, reflection, questioning, review. How long? As long as it takes. Time is a human construct.

I'm not saying I believe this stuff.

Time only exists on a physical plane though. You may spend what feels like two centuries in Heaven or in wherever you believe, but come back ten minutes later in Earth time.

 

[HungaryTom]

1. I read the book of Maria Szepes Red Lion. It is available in English. The entire novel is about reincarnation of a human who is evolving through many lives. Fascinating. I knew I had to be a bit provocative to get some echo on my post
Yes it might be that souls reincarnate. It is contradicting current Western Christian dogma although there were scholars in the era of early Christianity declared later heretics (Origenes) who incorporated this thought - he lived in Alexandria, which was a cultural hub for the antique world. Kind of a New York where all schools of thought are available and live together.
Per se if you believe in the immortal human spirit and soul and the mortal physical body than it is not impossible. Evolution and cyclical nature of the world aren't denied even by "modern science". Basically reincarnation is about these two things; development of the spirit and soul and the cycle of many rebirths. The book of the Dead (Egyptian and Tibetan) try to prepare the soul which left the body after death to the journey it takes in its own projections, to the point where it can "receive the light" and leave this eternal cycle of wandering in the physical world and the world of projections (seol, hades, netherworld, underworld etc.)


Wikipedia is always a good and free tool to get some lexical assembly of the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation

 

[PADDY]

GREAT THREAD - That really gets the brain cells buzzing!!!

I loved Prof Brian Cox's quote - "We are part of the universe because we are made of the same stuff as the universe, we are made of the same stuff as the stars. "

I like the idea that we are 'all' made up of star dust I referred to a dear friend a while back as a 'Supernova' - and maybe she was once, BRILLIANT when you think about it

And the fact that one of the great wonders of this 'third rock from the sun' has been recycling all of us 'little bits of star dust' into one form or another over billions of years is just wonderful. We have immortality, just that we exist from one chapter to the next in different 'forms'

So, in answering the original question posed in this thread, well YES...I believe we are reincarnated, but just in different worldly forms. Twenty chapters down the road and I could be part of the most amazing mountain who knows!

But I'm not sure that I have bits of Churchill or Nelson or Al Capone wrapped up in my genes I have a feeling the recycling process takes a 'wee' bit longer (just my own views).

Just enjoy this particular chapter of your existence, as you've been blessed with a self awareness and consciousness 'this time around' on the old merry-go-round of life

(And all the above works very comfortably with any existential & religious beliefs I hold dear too ).

NOW MY BRAIN HURTS - so do you know how to make an Aviation Cocktail 1916..?

 

[scotrace]

If you have Netflix, stream The Quantum Activist. Quite good stuff about just what you're saying, Paddy. The profiled scholar is a scientist. Interesting thoughts on the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Today I walked into my office lobby and there were three people sitting there waiting; the security guard and two people waiting on others. All three of them were busy with their individual iphones, or some similar device. None of them were talking to each other. I don't know about a past life, but in this life this is what we've come to; people would rather text others than talk to folks who are sitting right next to them.

Personally, I'd rather fool around with my iPhone than talk to a stranger sitting next to me. I have no interest in talking to strangers and feel awkward when they start talking to me. If it was my husband sitting next to me I would talk to him. That I don't understand -- couples who fool with their phones instead of interacting with one another. That's too obsessed with your iPhone lol

I don't feel like I was "born in the wrong time" ever. I like being right here, right now. I would only go back to visit if I could. I do like modern devices and I'm sure they would have LOVED them too if they were introduced back then. And I'm sure people on here would be going wild over the 1939 First Gen iPhone that's as big as a shoebox and has DIALS! lol

But back to reincarnation: Ever since I was a very little girl I used to dress up in my mom's slinky old slips, I'd wear a "Clara Bow" style wig (unbeknowest to me at the time), and I would mold the wig to have two spitcurls on my cheeks. I'd then do my makeup which consisted of a severe cu[id's bow and I'd paint on my eyebrows thin and a bit higher than where they normally would go. Looking back, I was dressing up like a woman from the time I love most lol Hmmm.....coincidence? Or memories held over from my past life?

As I said, it's fun to speculate.

 

[The Good]

I don't feel like I was "born in the wrong time" ever. I like being right here, right now. I would only go back to visit if I could. I do like modern devices and I'm sure they would have LOVED them too if they were introduced back then. And I'm sure people on here would be going wild over the 1939 First Gen iPhone that's as big as a shoebox and has DIALS! lol

I believe that there is purpose behind the fact that people are born in their respective time periods. The right people have come of age at the right times, for example. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, and Henry Ford, for example, have been successful inventors, fortunate enough to have lived in eras in which their work could be accomplished, and benefit them to an extent. I will say that this holds some religious implications for me as well.

I've never lived in the past, before 1989, but there are a number of eras that fascinate me, and particularly with regard to the early and mid-20th century, a good number of the fashions worn then, such as the board's namesake of fedora hats, can still be worn in present without being seen as too dated. Music is also timeless, and can be appreciated during any era. I don't think I was born in the wrong period, rather, I would like to believe that I was born in 1989 for a good reason.

 

[Old Rogue]

Not a believer in reincarnation myself. My interest in the golden era stems from a deep appreciation of many aspects of that time. Not the least of these would be the people of that time, especially my grandparents and parents who came out of the golden era.

 

[p71towny]

Don't believe in reincarnation, but feel I've always been and always will be....I hope. The very fact that I exist in an infinite universe has to mean something. The thought of loosing my consciousness after death scares the shit out of me. I mean, if a star can exist forever through shining light in a multitude of directions why cant I?? I imagine we're all different frequencies in the universe. One day our tuning fork is "born" and we vibrate a while here on earth till the tuning fork wears out and we continue on our way until we find another fork. I dunno, I try not to dwell as death is the only thing that bothers me.

 

[R.G. White]

I believe that there is purpose behind the fact that people are born in their respective time periods. The right people have come of age at the right times, for example. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, and Henry Ford, for example, have been successful inventors, fortunate enough to have lived in eras in which their work could be accomplished, and benefit them to an extent. I will say that this holds some religious implications for me as well.

I've never lived in the past, before 1989, but there are a number of eras that fascinate me, and particularly with regard to the early and mid-20th century, a good number of the fashions worn then, such as the board's namesake of fedora hats, can still be worn in present without being seen as too dated. Music is also timeless, and can be appreciated during any era. I don't think I was born in the wrong period, rather, I would like to believe that I was born in 1989 for a good reason.

I agree that everyone is born when they're born for a purpose. I like living in this century, but I think the reason why I'm attracted to certain periods is simply because I was there. How boring it would be to only live once...

 

[subject101]

I've always thought that the reason why some are attracted to certain eras is because they are heavily attached to one of their past lives.

Although I can accept this possibility, as the free thinker that I am reincarnation, if existed, would be a bad joke because when you re-born, you already have lost everything you had in your previous life; family, money, house... and you best asset, knowledge.

You have to learn everything again, you miss the chance of improving yourself through the knowledge you had, therefore your previous life was a waste of time for your present life.

Ma says I've been stuck in the past, fascinated with ties, hats, antiques, etc, since I was able to walk and talk.

Me too. I've been in vintage military clothes since child, always fascinated with vintage stuff; old cars, old planes, old radios, old photos, music and movies.

Well, I'm not sure, but there is a lot of reasons to make me believe in it. I was practically born with a passion for the Victorian and Edwardian eras and the 30s thru the early 50s. My mother has always said I was born at the wrong time and so have friends over the years. If there is such a thing, I hope there's a way to go back, because I really picked the wrong era in which to live this time around.

If I could, I'd go back to the 40s with no hesitation. However, I always feared that if I was in the 40s, I may become nostalgic for a previous era because vintage stuff has a lot of to do with reality evasion and day dreaming.

 

[TimeWarpWife]

Don't know that I believe in it, I'm having a hard enough time dealing with this present life. But, my dh has told me many times that I was born in the wrong era and should have lived during WWII.

 

[Edward]

I am not presently convinced by reincarnation, but I don't dismiss the possibility it completely. I don't feel any desire to live in an earlier time period, though: especially not one in which mental illness was much less understood than it is now. I have benefited tremendously from both current medical understanding of depression and the fact that during the past decade people in general have become much more understanding of mental health issues. In an earlier era I more than likely would have faced all sorts of social and even employment prejudice. Plenty of other medical issues, too - I had my appendix nearly burst, I've had a kidney stone... I'm fairly certain both experiences that would have been even more unpleasant not so many decades ago. A century or more ago the appendicitis might even have turned fatal. Then there is the matter of the war, general societal prejudice, racism, bigotry... In my own homeland, now is a much more pleasant time to live on so many fronts than any other time in our turbulent past. Here in London, being Irish is much easier than it would have been a generation ago. I haven't been followed round a shop for over a decade now. Many of my specialist areas of professional expertise would not exist were I a couple of generations older. Then, of course, one has to weigh up social mobility. I am now solidly middle class, thanks to my parents having made the jump from solidly working class backgrounds. Two generations ago, I would have been unlikely to have had the opportunity to go to University at all (let alone end up with two degrees and a twelve plus year teaching career to date). My grandparents left school at fourteen. Many of the biggest and best opportunities I have had as an adult, including most of my world travel, have come from my employment.

I'd certainly love to go back and visit the Thirties / Forties / Fifties to visit (and shop!), but I hold no rosy view of it as a perfect time to which I would rather escape.

Addendum:

Now, there's an idea for a 'reality' TV show.... an episode of So you think you want... for vintage people: So you think you want to live in the Forties? Could do a whole range of decades there.... or even "during the war". My feeling would be some folks would come out of it having enjoyed it, others would decide they had overly-romanticised the past and that actually living it out rather than just incorporating into modern life the elements they want is not so attractive. (The latter is kinda what I do, I suppose: I'm a dieselpunk rather than anything else, IMO).

http://www.locatetv.com/tv/so-you-think-you-want/1872573/episode-guide

 

[R.G. White]

I am not presently convinced by reincarnation, but I don't dismiss the possibility it completely. I don't feel any desire to live in an earlier time period, though: especially not one in which mental illness was much less understood than it is now. I have benefited tremendously from both current medical understanding of depression and the fact that during the past decade people in general have become much more understanding of mental health issues. In an earlier era I more than likely would have faced all sorts of social and even employment prejudice. Plenty of other medical issues, too - I had my appendix nearly burst, I've had a kidney stone... I'm fairly certain both experiences that would have been even more unpleasant not so many decades ago. A century or more ago the appendicitis might even have turned fatal. Then there is the matter of the war, general societal prejudice, racism, bigotry... In my own homeland, now is a much more pleasant time to live on so many fronts than any other time in our turbulent past. Here in London, being Irish is much easier than it would have been a generation ago. I haven't been followed round a shop for over a decade now. Many of my specialist areas of professional expertise would not exist were I a couple of generations older. Then, of course, one has to weigh up social mobility. I am now solidly middle class, thanks to my parents having made the jump from solidly working class backgrounds. Two generations ago, I would have been unlikely to have had the opportunity to go to University at all (let alone end up with two degrees and a twelve plus year teaching career to date). My grandparents left school at fourteen. Many of the biggest and best opportunities I have had as an adult, including most of my world travel, have come from my employment.

I'd certainly love to go back and visit the Thirties / Forties / Fifties to visit (and shop!), but I hold no rosy view of it as a perfect time to which I would rather escape.

Addendum:

Now, there's an idea for a 'reality' TV show.... an episode of So you think you want... for vintage people: So you think you want to live in the Forties? Could do a whole range of decades there.... or even "during the war". My feeling would be some folks would come out of it having enjoyed it, others would decide they had overly-romanticised the past and that actually living it out rather than just incorporating into modern life the elements they want is not so attractive. (The latter is kinda what I do, I suppose: I'm a dieselpunk rather than anything else, IMO).

http://www.locatetv.com/tv/so-you-think-you-want/1872573/episode-guide

I actually agree with you. In an earlier post I put I would go back to live then no matter what. But that isn't the truth. I honestly do like living in the modern world, but I wish we could have the good from then and mix it with the good we possess today (As a lot of us wish). I do not think the 30s or 40s were better, but I most certainly feel a stong connection to them. I am glad I live in 2011 though. The old days were not better, IMHO. The world has always been a messed up place, and probably always will, to an extent.

Think of it this way: People like us would have a much more difficult time living in that period of time. We have the social liberty to dress and live as we see fit. You couldn't do that eighty years ago without being a complete social outcast. We live in a very wonderful world, when you honestly
think about it.

 

[R.G. White]

Addendum:

Now, there's an idea for a 'reality' TV show.... an episode of So you think you want... for vintage people: So you think you want to live in the Forties? Could do a whole range of decades there.... or even "during the war". My feeling would be some folks would come out of it having enjoyed it, others would decide they had overly-romanticised the past and that actually living it out rather than just incorporating into modern life the elements they want is not so attractive. (The latter is kinda what I do, I suppose: I'm a dieselpunk rather than anything else, IMO).

http://www.locatetv.com/tv/so-you-think-you-want/1872573/episode-guide

They actually had a show somewhat like that. Called 'The 1940s House.' It's fantastic, and you can find it on Youtube, last time I checked.

 

[subject101]

I don't specially like our present era. You may live in a place where you won't even notice but this is an awful world. And it goes worse all the time. More wars, poverty, more pollution, more nuclear plants exploding, more overpopulation, more dehumanized cities, institutions and taxes on breathing.

Current middle class is just an illusion. Take college for instance. Now everybody can get a degree. As everybody has one, it's a less valuable asset than in previous eras. Therefore, you mostly expect underemployment, unemployment and frustration. It is happening now in a lot of developed countries, not only in the States.

I do like technological and medical advances but I wouldn't miss many of them. The only thing of the golden era that scares me to hell is the 50s, 60s and 70s coming behind like a gravestone :eeek:

 

[John in Covina]

Shirley MacLaine was noted as a big believer in Reincarnation and I recall a cartoon in a magazine where there are 2 lizards on a rock in the desert and one says:"I have a feeling that in a past life I was Shirley MacLaine!'

The idea of recycling souls is interesting ad there is a funny movie "Defending Your Life" that has some great detail about the 'in between time' where the court decides if you need to go back to get it right so you can then advance on to the next stage.

I don't believe in it myself.

 

[rue]

Defending Your Life is a great movie. I kind of imagine it being like that, but I hope it's not lol

 

[Rudie]

As a hypnotherapist working with age regression I regularly have clients who spontaneously go into a past life. It just happens sometimes, regardless of their religions or belief systems. Clients who don't believe in past lives sometimes end up in a past life during regression just the same. Sometimes they give me information they could not possibly have known from this live and which can be verified. So, yes, my work made me a believer. There are much stranger things happening in my work than just past lives. For my work it doesn't matter if past lives are real or just metaphors created by the subconscious. It doesn't matter if I or the client believe in past lives. As long as we work through it properly the client gets the healing. But by now I have seen so much evidence that I became a believer.

Anybody who is interested in serious scientific research regarding past lives ought to check out the works of Prof. Ian Stevenson.

Rudie

 

[Edward]

They actually had a show somewhat like that. Called 'The 1940s House.' It's fantastic, and you can find it on Youtube, last time I checked.

Yeah, I've seen that one; I was thinking some along those lines, but more specifically directed at people who profess a great desire to live in a past era, give them a real feel for it and see if they really would like it - different focus than that particular show.

 

[subject101]

As a hypnotherapist working with age regression I regularly have clients who spontaneously go into a past life. It just happens sometimes, regardless of their religions or belief systems. Clients who don't believe in past lives sometimes end up in a past life during regression just the same.

wow!

Sometimes they give me information they could not possibly have known from this live and which can be verified.

Could you share any case of verified information?

So, yes, my work made me a believer. There are much stranger things happening in my work than just past lives. For my work it doesn't matter if past lives are real or just metaphors created by the subconscious.

What is much stranger than past lifes? :eeek: