a simple question about reincarnation

Originally Posted by bartholomew

In this context I think it is a degree of functionality on one or other of the Earth's subtle (spiritual) planes. This is a huge subject that is of great interest to the theorist. Every single human being on the planet is actually, literally, connected via these planes. This is perhaps the essence of what is so often (lightly) called "group think".

That's very interesting indeed, and would make a lot of sense. Hm.

Originally Posted by SandraAnne

How do you worry about the next life? Is this one already figured out? Do you know what you are in this one? All future is an illusion. Have you ever seen tomorrow? You'd do better to look very closely at this moment, the one happening now and ask how is it happening? Who is it happening to? Can you even find yourself? How is it working? How do you even know you have a body? All thoughts about a so called future are just Maya's distraction.

Fair points...

Originally Posted by janielee

Fair points...

The word "shattering" is sometimes in esoteric context to mean the dissolution of the "form", achievement. "When the golden bowl is shattered...etc".

Originally Posted by janielee

That's very interesting indeed, and would make a lot of sense. Hm.

I agree. How often do we speak of chakras without understanding, really, what they are? The Earth's astral plane which extends from the center of the planet to about 26,000 miles out in the shape of a concentric circle, is that which gives emotional expressiveness to those who travel with her. Each of us is connected to the Earth's astral plane via our solar plexus chakras. This is the means by which most psychic phenomena occurs. When a sensitive says "Oh something just happened ti (a family member) ......" they were able to know this because they were attuned to the source but the means, the channel, the medium through which the communication was made is the Earth's astral plane. All it takes is for two people to be compatible with each other, it doesn't matter where they are or if they even know each other, and they can communicate thus. Does this give new meaning to the term "group think"? In the example included all it takes is for one family member, to think of another at the same moment that something happens. And the message travels directly to them. Not magic.

Originally Posted by bartholomew

The word "shattering" is sometimes in esoteric context to mean the dissolution of the "form", achievement. "When the golden bowl is shattered...etc".

Nice .....

Originally Posted by bartholomew

I agree. How often do we speak of chakras without understanding, really, what they are? The Earth's astral plane which extends from the center of the planet to about 26,000 miles out in the shape of a concentric circle, is that which gives emotional expressiveness to those who travel with her. Each of us is connected to the Earth's astral plane via our solar plexus chakras. This is the means by which most psychic phenomena occurs. When a sensitive says "Oh something just happened ti (a family member) ......" they were able to know this because they were attuned to the source but the means, the channel, the medium through which the communication was made is the Earth's astral plane. All it takes is for two people to be compatible with each other, it doesn't matter where they are or if they even know each other, and they can communicate thus. Does this give new meaning to the term "group think"? In the example included all it takes is for one family member, to think of another at the same moment that something happens. And the message travels directly to them. Not magic.

That is so fascinating and corresponds to previous ideas I have heard. I guess that also is a building block - idea upon idea.

The thing is though, James/Bartholomew, how do we know for ourselves?

I love the way you express it, and you are right, I used to think it was just magic and there is great delight too in that "unknown" -- the beauty of the mystery, but ok when you say it like that, I say "ok"

[linen53]

Bart/James, I've read in the past from another source that only one personality lives a lifetime here on earth as you have stated, and the soul then sends another personality for the next incarnation, etc.

I get all that.

I have two trains of thought. First, what happens to all those personalities??? You say they ascend. Where? If they are no longer a current connection to a life lesson or an active part of the soul, where do they go? In a sense they are rubble of the soul as it gets to that place of having learned all for that stage.

(On a side note) If this is the case, I've thought of meeting my "kin" after I die. There are a particular few I'd love to meet, because their sheer determination (soul memory, I'm sure) has gotten me out of more tough places than I care to admit.

Second train of thought. I have distinct memories of my life in between my last life and this one.

I remember committing suicide in my last life. I remember the (I prefer not to call it judging) the life review. I remember how very disappointed I was that I had ended my life before I had learned what I was there to learn.

I went to a special place to think. A secluded paradise. Time has no meaning there so I don't know how long. Or how short.

I came up with a plan. Seems I had, for many lifetimes, been skirting around my lessons one way or another. So I planned this lifetime full of so many pitfalls there would be no way I could ignore or skirt around my lessons. Quite frankly, I nearly didn't survive. But I finally healed in my 50's. I made it.

I called the Beings that got me out of that thinking place and went before the (reincarnation?) Counsel. I remember they were very upset with my plan and did everything to talk me out of it but I wouldn't budge.

Then I remember falling. Falling, falling, falling. At first there was light and a rightness in my plan. I knew I would succeed! I was so excited to get started. But the further I fell, the darker it got, and the doubts started creeping in. And then all went black.

My first memory was of me crying my heart out in my crib when I was 3 years old.

Now on the one hand I have respect for your theory of one personality one incarnation. It kind of makes sense other than all this chattel of discarded personalities. On the other hand, I have real memories of a connectedness of my last life, time on the other side and into this lifetime. It was me, that whole span of time. Not a memory of me. It was me.

Any thoughts that might help?

[FallingLeaves]

Originally Posted by linen53

Any thoughts that might help?

to me it is like putting on clothes... one day you might be in a red dress, another day blue jeans and a white t-shirt... you look different and maybe the specific clothes you are wearing inspire you to act differently, but it is still 'you' under the clothes.

you could make a similar analogy to cars... the specific car a guy drives might make him feel more or less confident... and might attract different people different ways and thus different experiences...

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by linen53

Bart/James, I've read in the past from another source that only one personality lives a lifetime here on earth as you have stated, and the soul then sends another personality for the next incarnation, etc.

I get all that.

I have two trains of thought. First, what happens to all those personalities??? You say they ascend. Where? If they are no longer a current connection to a life lesson or an active part of the soul, where do they go? In a sense they are rubble of the soul as it gets to that place of having learned all for that stage.

From the esoteric tradition:

A personality consists of the physical, emotional and mental bodies created in each incarnation, all bound up as a particular identity.

On the higher mental planes there is a causal body which is the vehicle of the Soul.

Within this causal body there are the permanent atoms for the physical, emotional and mental bodies, which are like the blueprints from which these bodies are created. These permanent atoms are modified by the experiences of each incarnation.

At physical death the physical body dies and returns to the elements whence it came. The emotional and mental bodies remain on the astral plane. Later the the individual progresses to the mental plane, discarding the emotional body, and the astral substance returns to the astral elements whence it came. Later the lower mental body is discarded, and that too dissolves back into mental substance. The individual then rests in the causal body.

So the personality has now ceased to exist. Its various physical, emotional and mental elements have returned to their respective planes. But the experiences undergone and lessons learned are imprinted on the permanent atoms within the causal body. This will affect the bodies created for the next incarnation.

So personality has no conscious memories of previous existences because that personality has had no previous existences. But the information is still present and may be accessed.

Originally Posted by linen53

Now on the one hand I have respect for your theory of one personality one incarnation. It kind of makes sense other than all this chattel of discarded personalities. On the other hand, I have real memories of a connectedness of my last life, time on the other side and into this lifetime. It was me, that whole span of time. Not a memory of me. It was me.

What is this me that is remembering? Surely it is consiousness which remembers rather than the personality of Deb? And the consciousness expressing through Deb in this lifetime is the same consciousness which was present in the past life.

Peace

Originally Posted by linen53

Bart/James, I've read in the past from another source that only one personality lives a lifetime here on earth as you have stated, and the soul then sends another personality for the next incarnation, etc.

I get all that.

I have two trains of thought. First, what happens to all those personalities??? You say they ascend. Where? If they are no longer a current connection to a life lesson or an active part of the soul, where do they go? In a sense they are rubble of the soul as it gets to that place of having learned all for that stage.

(On a side note) If this is the case, I've thought of meeting my "kin" after I die. There are a particular few I'd love to meet, because their sheer determination (soul memory, I'm sure) has gotten me out of more tough places than I care to admit.

Second train of thought. I have distinct memories of my life in between my last life and this one.

I remember committing suicide in my last life. I remember the (I prefer not to call it judging) the life review. I remember how very disappointed I was that I had ended my life before I had learned what I was there to learn.

I went to a special place to think. A secluded paradise. Time has no meaning there so I don't know how long. Or how short.

I came up with a plan. Seems I had, for many lifetimes, been skirting around my lessons one way or another. So I planned this lifetime full of so many pitfalls there would be no way I could ignore or skirt around my lessons. Quite frankly, I nearly didn't survive. But I finally healed in my 50's. I made it.

I called the Beings that got me out of that thinking place and went before the (reincarnation?) Counsel. I remember they were very upset with my plan and did everything to talk me out of it but I wouldn't budge.

Then I remember falling. Falling, falling, falling. At first there was light and a rightness in my plan. I knew I would succeed! I was so excited to get started. But the further I fell, the darker it got, and the doubts started creeping in. And then all went black.

My first memory was of me crying my heart out in my crib when I was 3 years old.

Now on the one hand I have respect for your theory of one personality one incarnation. It kind of makes sense other than all this chattel of discarded personalities. On the other hand, I have real memories of a connectedness of my last life, time on the other side and into this lifetime. It was me, that whole span of time. Not a memory of me. It was me.

Any thoughts that might help?

The memories of personalities persist. When we ascend to the soul plane we find that we are now a composite of all the lives that came before. This may seem difficult for us now but remember that the soul is more conscious than we are right now.

You mention suicide in the past life. Suicides make quicker turn arounds. You mention the place of rest and reconciliation. A quiet place where we can get sorted out. Our guides play an important role in this. This "place" exists in the mid range of the astral plane. The plan for return was made. Suggestions were made to you. They were refused. OK. No one ever forces a soul. Each of us decides for ourselves.

At this point the personality from the life just past had not yet dissipated. This is because the essence of the life (you) was still present and functional. This makes a big difference.

When a soul reincarnates it takes on a new personality as a matter of course.

When this reincarnation takes place before the complete return to the soul plane the personality just past still exists and is attached to the new body. Often the same setting is used too. In this case during gestation the new brain is very closely attuned to the past personality and often is able to recount it even to the point of saying "it was really me". In truth it is both. Because there are also physical, genetic components to a personality the new babe can be very similar to the previous life but in a new body.

The previous personality did not dissipate as it might have had the process of ascension continued. In a sense it was reused.

There are many tribal traditions of men and women being incarnations of their ancestors. A new male baby might be thought of as being the same personality as an uncle or grandfather for instance. When we are younger we tend to make quick turn arounds without ever ascending to the soul level. Later this changes. See the similarity here?

In your case you say "it was really me", but in a new body. This is because during the short period between lives only partial ascension occurred.

When we read about kids remembering past lives it is often much the same. A life cut short. Incomplete ascension for one reason or another. Quick return with memories, or many of them, intact.

There are also connections in this to those kids who are born with unusual abilities such as a three year old being able to play the piano for instance.

We have religions to help us cope with the uncertainties of life. They serve us quite well really.... They make simple very complex questions. What is less painful to consider? We die and go to heaven if we're good. Or.... We die but then all this complex stuff happens or can happen except we have free will and what about if we die in an accident do we get to try again... etc etc..... Imagine if we were born each time with full memories of who we are or were. The consequences of such a prospect would be overwhelming to the average soul.

Those who find themselves on this forum are capable of a higher level of understanding about such things.

In my lifetime just past I was a casualty of world war 2. It was during the German invasion of Poland. I was Jewish. Like you I made a quick turnaround. I was born this time in June of '42. And I had prebirth memories. I can relate!!!!

Here is a last bit of information. As souls age they move closer to their projected personalities on Earth. After a time the personality becomes aware in everyday consciousness of the soul life. At this point the personality is capable, in waking awareness, of recalling past lives. Other things happen too.... other functional abilities may become apparent. All this is quite normal. To these types attempting to disguise truth in cloaks of fantasy or by using metaphors is often a disservice. Is it OK for me to say this?