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Why do you remember??

I believe that the nature of reincarnation is cyclical. I also believe that there is a higher purpose to it.
I agree with the popular idea that reincarnation is like going to school. We are here to learn and to evolve spiritually. However, it is all by choice. We have life plans designed for optimum learning, and it is our choice of course whether we want to learn or not.
This process may take several incarnations...

I'm not sure what you mean by "every different person", but I've observed that coming into this world with various experiences can result in having several different perspectives. Perhaps this is part of the path. To become more "god-like".
Through reincarnation we can start to see that everything is connected, because everything is essentially the same energy. We simply operate on different frequencies.
In my opinion, soulmates share "energy", and this is why it seems as though we are on the same "wavelength" with one another.
I think soulmates reincarnate together because these similar energies are attracted to each other (think law of attraction).

Personally, I think reincarnating with soulmates is meant to be a spiritual experience. They are there to help you on your journey. They can help you find your "purpose" if you allow them to.
 
These are all big questions ISelf and nobody has 'the answer' - just as nobody really has the answer to the 'meaning of life' although there are many opinions and just as many theories. Some people believe we reincarnate back and forth with animal forms, others do not. Some believe that the individual soul is on a long personal journey of discovery, others do not. The 'why' question is an even bigger question than the 'what' and 'how exactly' questions.

I don't begin to pretend to understand what the deeper purpose of reincarnation (or life in general) is really.

Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? Am I supposed to be doing something? If so, what and how do I know if I am doing it? Is anyone keeping score? Are there any repercussions if I don’t do it properly? What is the prize if I get it right?

These questions have been puzzling the human brain for millennia and we have come up with many different answers to them. Religions have been devised, social rules formulated. In general mostly the basics come down to a few simple concepts – behave with love, be honest, work hard and treat others with the same respect and consideration you would like to receive. That is all fine and good and will do wonders for your relationships and general levels of happiness and prosperity. But after you have worked out how to do all this, then what?

I don't know. We are all fumbling about in the dark ISelf. I try just to get on with it with as little whining as I can and not to worry too much about that 'why' question most days. It gives me a headache. :laugh:
 
Hi ISelf,

To me the purpose of reincarnation is that of spiritual evolution. Each Soul/Spirit is unique, individual, indivisible and eternal, and progresses in learning and experience through its various incarnations. We are, in essence, always the same "Person/Soul".

I also go along with those who do not believe that it is possible to reincarnate in animal form, seeing as we are in permanent progress, morally and intellectually.

We must also remember that we are ALL in the same process, evolving, being helped and helping others in our continual progress. As with everything else in our known universe, we are in constant progress, change, expansion and evolution...

:thumbsup:
 
I am double posting sorry :laugh:
Reincarnation as a cycle, reflects God's origin. That was the point of self-realization and self-love. Self-love, in my opinion, was its most powerful "expression".
This may explain why a lot of people fall in love with their own image, fall in love with soulmates that may resemble them (their own spiritual essence).
Self-love and self-worth is so underrated.

We always go back to our own energy, our own source, like finding ourselves with reincarnation. Finding our own energy, our own pictures, etc.
Think of it like water. It naturally goes back to its source, effortlessly.
God, the All, the Source, whatever you wish to call it, had to find itself in its own cycle.
So researching our past lives and taking effort to understand ourselves is in essence, a divine act.
 
Well said Quintessence. The more experiences we have, the more mistakes we make, the more successes we achieve, the more we are sharpened, hardened, softened and perfected. Suffering is the toughest but most thorough teacher of compassion. Compassion is our most important lesson.

The more selves we have, the better we get to know our true self. We understand what is our surface personality, what is our internal core. What we are doing in relation to others, what results that produces and why and what we might do differently next time. It is called 'karma' by some, learning by me.

Ultimately, of course, I agree with you, we are all one, which is the Source (however you conceive her). I don't neccessarily this all takes place in a long skinny linear process like a road winding up a mountain, though. I believe it is going on all the time, all around us like moats of dust dancing in the sunlight.

To quote John Lennon:

"Limitless undying love it shines around me like a million suns
And leads me on and on across the universe."
 
HI MySoul,

The wheel of karma, so often referred to in Hinduism and other Middle Eastern philosophies reminds me of the American Indian circle of life. The Indian believes a man must look beyond the circle that is his life, because his life is the circle that never ends.

Remembering my past lives has helped me to understand myself on a much deeper level than I ever had before. The great Greek philosophers stressed that one of our greatest challenge‘s in life was to “Know They Self.”

Ancient civilizations placed great emphasis on enabling the soul to achieve self realization and to remember. Through ritual and initiation the priests and priestesses hoped to prepare the soul for it’s future. The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, The Gnostic Initiations into the Inner Mysteries, and the Bhagavad-Gita are just a few.

So from my point of view - the goal is to be conscious creators in reality; to become more aware of self and others; and to embrace the opportunity to experience Joy, share Peace, express Love, with compassion and grace - from life time to life time. Even in the hardest of situations. ;)
 
If you believe in reincarnation, you are living your afterlife.

That's a profound thought. You're perfecting your true self, raising awareness and will to a level that will rise with each successive lifetime until it reaches unity with the One God, God who is complete consciousness and total will.

The purpose of each lifetime is to make the most of the potential you were born with.

Michal
 
ASK a question related to meaning of reincarnation, spiritual growth… hope can get some wise insight here.:)

Sometimes we meet people, especially people close to us, might due to karma, and we suppose to work out if we can.

Sometimes we find a relationship is difficult, misunderstanding, sometimes feel frustrated. In which situation you choose to leave, in which situation you choose to give another try?​
 
Hello wavesj,

If I understand correctly you ask: if our life-journeys are for education and understanding, and the people around us are there to be apart of that journey, then when or how do we know when to leave them or live with them when things get tough?

I believe strongly that the question itself is apart of the experience. Your struggle with the relationship, your struggle with thoughts, your interest in the meaning of reincarnation and how it relates to this, are all apart of your journey. Any decisions, lessons, or results are part of it too. BUT there is no definitive answer on "go or stay"...you must choose. If you leave, you are not running from the karma of reincarnation, you are creating it....same if you stay.

I believe your decision to go or stay should be based on the facts and issues of your relationship. Is it healthy and enriching? Is it safe? Are you able to live this life in a happy and compassionate way? From this perspective make choices. Karma will always work itself out.

Does this make sense to you? I pray your day is well.

Tinkerman
 
to become a synthesis

just more of my thoughts on reincarnation and its purpose:

* reincarnation reflects God's origins
* we have to experience varying cycles
* we have to experience duality
* we have to learn how to choose (good or bad choices)
* we can learn tolerance, compassion, etc.
* we become aware of love
* we can learn to dissolve our egos
* it's our choice to overcome negativity (choose to stay positive)
* part of the purpose of reincarnation is being open to guidance, usually angels, spirit guides, etc. They are there to help you in your cycles.
You are not alone on this journey. :)
* we can choose to let go of judgement
* increase sensitivity/consciousness
* become aware that we are all connected (or in my opinion, becoming aware that we are all God).
* co-creation with the source
* attain "perfection"-this can happen through the self (by choice) and/or soulmates who can help along the journey if you allow them to. They effortlessly provide balance for you.
* recreation of the Self
 
Hi Quintessence,

* become aware that we are all connected (or in my opinion, becoming aware that we are all God).
* co-creation with the source


Well, it is my view that we are co-creators, yes, but we are not the "Source". We are Light. We are in the Light. But we are not "The Light" Itself.
 
I respect your view, however, I do have a different one. :)
The way I see it is that we are portions of God (and splits of soulmates if that makes sense). Some of the cycles we experience in this dimension are out of alignment.

Our egos are connected to our physical bodies. The ego denies. It denies, imo, that we are God. It constantly doubts the Self and it creates confusion.
However, imo, when we realize we are God and actively create, we become more and more aligned with our true natures. Everything becomes exquisitely peaceful and there is a flux of clarity on everything.

This all goes back to energy again. Since we are splits of divinity, we do experience imperfection on this plane. However, the energy of your soulmates can provide "perfection". I know I experience tons more energy around one particular soulmate. Back in the mid 18th century we were together as a group, etc. Reading the bios was fascinating. I was the equivalent to a modern day millionaire, we were all successful and very, very happy.
 
HI Quintessence,

You shared a few of your thoughts about reincarnation and I have a few questions.

  • reincarnation reflects God's origins
Can you please tell us how/why you think rebirth reflects God's origins and may I ask - what is God's origins to you?

  • we have to experience varying cycles
What type of cycles are you referring too? Seasons? Emotional? Age? Sex? Could you be more specific? I am interested.

  • we have to experience duality
Could you expand on this? We live in a dualistic world; do you mean we have to experience everything --emotional, in relationships, hardships and victories or do you mean something else? Gender, race?

  • we become aware of love
To me, it isn't about becoming more aware of love - it is about BEING love...which includes compassion, empathy, giving and forgiving to self and others.

  • attain "perfection"-this can happen through the self (by choice) and/or soulmates who can help along the journey if you allow them to. They effortlessly provide balance for you.
May I ask - what is "perfection" to you and how is a soul mate "effortlessly providing balance for you"?? I look forward to your responses and a deeper conversation once I recover from finals. ;)
 
Deborah said:
and may I ask - what is God's origins to you?
I wrote a very long journal entry on this about two years ago.
I'll try to shorten what I remember though. I'll start with saying this is all my opinion. I think this allows others to have opinions as well. :)
Consciousness was moving infinitely in what a lot of us perceive as No Thing. But that energy was always here, just not self-realized.
There was no time (I still don't think there is true time. Cyclical time in some realms, but chronological time here is an illusion). There was no universe, because the universe relies on thoughts and feelings.
As Consciousness moved along it turned, changed dimensions so to speak. But it came across a portion of its own energy. Because of this it realized it existed, was conscious. Some of the most powerful emotions and thoughts this Consciousness experienced was self-love, self-realization, awe, etc.
This Consciousness had to learn. Created by default, then chose to recreate itself, and create other things by thought/feelings.
The way this consciousness moved was in spirals. Whenever it came to that same point where it originally became aware of its existence, it evolved.

On creation, manifestation is directly related to vibration. The higher the vibration, the quicker the manifestation. This imo is true of spiritual realms and this third dimension. The reason it is more difficult to create on earth is because this is what I call a negative plane. At least compared to the others I have experienced. This does not mean things cannot be manifested. We constantly create no matter what vibration.
Anyway, the highest vibration happens to be love. So when you are in love, why not utilize it?
I think this is why I experienced so much success in some lives where I was with my entire soulgroup. We had the oppurtunity to tap into higher vibrations. We broke down our egos.
I think what happened with this Consciousness is that it learned to discern between frequencies.


What type of cycles are you referring too? Seasons? Emotional? Age? Sex? Could you be more specific? I am interested.
Energy cycles. Just going in and out of alignment with our true nature.

Could you expand on this? We live in a dualistic world; do you mean we have to experience everything --emotional, in relationships, hardships and victories or do you mean something else? Gender, race?
All of those in order to "become" a synthesis. We experience them in different lifetimes. :)

isn't about becoming more aware of love - it is about BEING love...which includes compassion, empathy, giving and forgiving to self and others.
I totally agree. All awareness is is knowing.


May I ask - what is "perfection" to you and how is a soul mate "effortlessly providing balance for you"?? I look forward to your responses and a deeper conversation once I recover from finals. ;)
Perfection to me implies a prior imperfection and imbalance.
After meeting one of my soulmates, I became a lot more balanced. The admirable qualities in him I acquired. He didn't have to do or say anything. Just be.
I wrote in one post how bad my health was prior to meeting him. It paralleled with my life during WWII. What I call an age parallel. When we parted ways my health "magically" improved. I always see the impossible happening with or without my soulmates. And I do believe that internal perfection can be attained.
 
Hi Quintessence,

Well, this time we are in agreement on several points you have made. The only one I still disagree on is regarding our being "gods", at least in the way you initially presented this.

"And I do believe that internal perfection can be attained".

Precisely... :thumbsup:

IMO we were not created perfect and have not as yet attained perfection, but the reincarnatory process is the means by which we progress and evolve towards it. This implies, to me, in the existance of sequential time, or the "moment of unfolding" as according to the Hollographic principle...
 
Charles Stuart said:
Hi Quintessence,
The only one I still disagree on is regarding our being "gods"
It's all good, I just think we're multidimensional. Only a small portion of us is on earth. In my opinion, the rest of our Divinity is in another dimension (spiritual realm). Healing past lives can give us the oppurtunity to totally tap into our "godhood" imo. We can easily turn impossible to I'm possible :D
Hilarious, "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey is playing in the background right now. :laugh:

but the reincarnatory process is the means by which we progress and evolve towards it.
You're right. I also think it's totally natural.

I love this. Well said!
ty!
 
I am rather in agreement with you Quintessence on the 'God' question (however you perceive her). I believe we are not separated, even though we are differentiated, from 'God'. However, I also know what Charles means and you are both right.

To set up a metaphor to try to resolve this paradox, look at it this way - we (our bodies) are made up atoms. We are our atoms and our atoms are us. Each atom, of course, is not all there is to us, but each atom is still what 'us' is made of - in one way of looking at it.

If you want to get even more cosmic and multidimensional think of this: each atom is shaped not unlike a little solar system, each molecule, a galaxy. Imagine, if within each body was a whole universe. You, then would be the 'god' of that universe.
 
Well, here we go again, but for the last time: I don't see us as multidimensional, but as one. IMO we are our Souls. All of who/what I am here and now is who/what I am as an immortal Soul. However, the Soul/Consciousness can expand almost to infinity, creating an illusion that we can be at two places at the same time.

I personally don not believe in the existance of an "oversoul". This would imply in a part of us being "already perfect", whereas my view is that we were created pure, like a baby is born pure, but in ignorance. To use the analogy of a baby, we must "go through life(ves)" with the purpose of learning and progressing. To reach the "Higher Realms", we have to have achieved a level of morality, consciousness and LOVE that dimishes the density of our spiritual form so that we may ascend. Those in the Higher Realms can descend. Those in the "Lower realms" cannot ascend.

To me, the ego is fundamental to control our lower animal/physical/material instincts. Only by breaking free from them can we diminish our natural attraction to that which is material and hence the density of our spiritual body in order to ascend higher.To "be with God" or in a realm in which we can truly attune with "The Source" we have to have reached a certain evolutionary degree, and this can tale eons and loads of incarnations.

But still, who can state anything on the issue with 100% certainty??? :D :tongue: : angel
 
IMO we are our Souls. All of who/what I am here and now is who/what I am as an immortal Soul. However, the Soul/Consciousness can expand almost to infinity, creating an illusion that we can be at two places at the same time.

Yes, I agree. That is what I mean by 'multidimensional'. When we operate in this dimension, the world of matter, we tend not to be fully aware of what the rest of us is up to because it does not compute fully with our earth bound understanding of how things work - it is too complex for us to fully grasp. Many people believe that the world of matter is all there is because it is all they can see, touch, etc. Others of us know better (or at least more).
 
Charles Stuart said:
Well, here we go again, but for the last time: I don't see us as multidimensional, but as one.
:tongue:
I'll present it a bit differently. We are multidimensional beings because not only are we in the third dimension but higher ones as well. This does not negate that we are one.
Some dimensions overlap one another.

Those in the "Lower realms" cannot ascend.
What is your definition of a lower realm, Charles? Do you consider the third dimension a lower realm?

To me, the ego is fundamental to control our lower animal/physical/material instincts.
I think it's purpose is to make you believe in the "Maya" and keep you from sustaining "nirvana".

in order to ascend higher.To "be with God" or in a realm in which we can truly attune with "The Source" we have to have reached a certain evolutionary degree
That is the funny thing to me. We don't have to ascend higher to a different realm to be with God. We already are in this dimension and can tune into it 100% in this body.
 
"We are multidimensional beings ..."

Ok, but not simultaneously.

"What is your definition of a lower realm, Charles? Do you consider the third dimension a lower realm?"

Yes, but not the lowest.

"We already are in this dimension and can tune into it 100% in this body."

Yes, we can tune in, but IMO not 100%. Can you tell me just one person in this realm who is 100% attuned with the Source?
 
HI Quintessence,

Of course we can. The people tuned in 100% are those that are happy no matter what.

All we can do is respond to the original question with our own thoughts and experiences. At this point - it is coming down to semantics and definitions.

SO -what is 100% to you? I know a lot of happy and grounded individuals that have never experienced Inner Light that is Brighter than the sun. This statement is based on knowing someone who does experience it - as well as the past lives of self and others, bi-location, healing and OBE. In fact - I know a lot of successful and happy people that are not spiritually aware. So what exactly do you mean?

IMO - Reincarnation is not a thing, it isn't out there to be achieved. It is a process. Each individual has a unique road to travel. When we begin to weigh and measure what is enlightenment, what is 100% awareness, what is atonement, and what is Nirvana - we become goal oriented - reaching for a means to an end.

So back to ISelf's question - "what is IT"S nature and purpose?" For me - making choices with clear INTENT and intentions. Being present in the moment and responding to self and others with compassion. Not to mention - spreading JOY and Love and Peace whenever possible. This to me - equals soul growth.
 
Deborah said:
I know a lot of successful and happy people that are not spiritually aware.
I think you already gave my answer :P
When you are happy you are tapped into source energy. It does not matter whether you are aware of it or not. People do it all the time. Spiritual awareness on the other hand is another facet of the spiritual journey. You can be spiritually aware and not tapped into source energy. It can work both ways, and often does.

we become goal oriented
I think some entities come here goal oriented to begin with. It's just a natural effect of the energy make-up. The goal that someone is trying to accomplish is a different story, and again, yes, choice is a factor.

For me - making choices with clear INTENT and intentions.
I like this. I honestly believe that this is part of reincarnation. But we always have choices to begin with. As a physical being, learning to make the so-called right ones comes with the reincarnation process. I think deep down inside we know what the right choices are. Our intuition (which is connected to Spirit) tells us this.

On soul growth, I agree. However, everything is growth to me.
 
Charles & Quintessence, your thoughts and debate are very interesting. I appreciate the subject matter, the civility and the intellectual depth. In particular how reincarnation is connected. I don't think we can grasp it all...but I think your ideas are a valid exploration of the "meaning." Thanks for the interesting read!

Tinkerman
 
I think I remember because I'm ready to remember. I can accept the memory for what it is, a past life memory, and not some hallucination or freaky coincidence.


My belief on this is shaped by my own experience. It all started a couple years ago. I was 16 years old I had thought heavily about reincarnation but I was really undecided on the purpose of life. My parents and grandparents raised me to be catholic, but the idea of religion seemed unconvincing and very empty to me. Things I had noticed in my life up to that point seemed to discard religion. I couldn't find an answer for the gross inequality in living things. How could there be a heaven and a hell when people are born into unfair circumstances? It was as if some people had the scales tipped in their favor from the beginning of life. Reincarnation was an interesting idea to me that answered a lot of my questions. However, I mainly drifted away from religion and spirituality at that point in my life.


I started to fall into a pit of depression and anxiety shortly after that. I felt emptier than before and didn't really care about anything. If there was a god I was praying he would release me from my prison by killing me. Due to the depression and the anxiety I felt really inferior in every aspect in regards to my peers. My life was starting to spiral out of control. I couldn't even do the things I wanted to do anymore. I developed a major crush on this girl at school, and I couldn't bring myself to ask her out due to the anxiety. She moved away and I wondered if I would ever see her again.


It was at this point I became enamored with astral projection as a way of possibly visiting parallel universes too see a world where she and I were together. Unfortunately, to this day I still haven't projected.


After I started practicing astral projection unsuccessfully for a year I lost interest and gave up. I went for a period of six months with no projection attempts, no thoughts about god, the afterlife or anything spiritual. It was at this point reincarnation came knocking at my door. I started having constant dreams about the soviet union. I ignored them at first, but there were too many to ignore. Still though, I dismissed them as nothing and thought they weren't a big deal. Eventually I had this dream which was more vivid then any dream I have ever had before. Even to this day I remember it like I dreamt about it last night. In the dream I was a USSR military commander. The dream played as though it were an old black and white movie projector. There was narration by a voice(I didn't recognize who the voice was then ,nor do I now) who was judging this mans life and what kind of person he was. I woke up sobbing at 3 am and I couldn't get back to sleep.


The dream was very out of the ordinary(still haven't had a dream like it since), but I still dismissed it as a coincidence. A couple months later I had an urge to look up USSR commanders of WWII and found a picture of the man I dreamt about it. Naturally It scared the crap out of me. I was in denial even though I knew in the back of my mind he was the man I dreamt of. After doing research on him his life seemed to click with mine.


I realize how finding out about that life really helped me out in this one. In that life I was a successful, confident military commander, and it gave me confidence in this life. Since this realization my depression has vanished and my anxiety has been reduced.


Sorry about the long post, I just felt that it was necessary to explain the whole story to understand where I'm coming from.
 
Excellent Kingkoopa! The lessons are powerful when we tap in to them. I'm happy you found the relevance and relief!


Most here know I'm into the broad perspective of religion and philosophy. I think that every perspective has a place or purpose in the Grand Scheme! As we enter our progressing lives we, possibly, choose or are given ways of interpreting our existence, our relevance and our purpose. For the most part this has been labeled religion, but I think it is bigger than any label we can come up with. You said you had trouble dealing with your Catholic upbringing... you're certainly not alone there. But as a method for your own progression, as a being here and now, it must have had some purpose. (I also believe in the universal law "everything has purpose.") Rather than abandon any specific philosophy I recommend searching it out using your new perspective of reincarnation. It is particularly interesting from the Catholic perspective (see thread: Catholic Reincarnationist). It was a wonderful discussion on just that subject.


Good luck in your future journey and, as always, thank you for sharing!


Tinkerman
 
I love this topic. I began this process of “remembering” with a series of dreams about Christ. When this all began I had never given reincarnation much thought. About two years ago, I started having extremely emotional religious dreams (I wrote about them in this forum). I had these "seminal" dreams where I had spent time in places of the world that frankly I could barely (okay I embarrassing admit not at all) locate on a map (Jerusalem, India and others). These dreams were completely out of the blue. They were especially odd given the fact that I was not religious person in any way (spiritual but not overly) or I had ever been exposed to any religious teachings, people or literature (even the Bible I had not read).


Since then I have had approximately 22 dreams that where either hybrid past life related dreams or full blown PL dreams where I was a completely different person. I have had as of late dreams in which I was a red haired 12 year old girl who returned to my home town during the time it was being built in 1860. In another dream I was a nerdy tall 17 year old male. And just a few nights ago, I was a twenty-something brunette female who committed suicide via gun shot to the chest...And I felt some of the pain associated with this act. Bizarre, really.


Why do I remember? I figure I may never know “why” but I feel blessed to have had these interesting dreams. I find them infinity fasinating and they have enriched my life in many wonderful ways. I feel very lucky to have had them even though I may never know their true meaning. All I can do is keep recording the dreams and maybe someday these dreams will impart the full picture of "why?" Until then I remain fasinated.
 
CSPaula, Thank you for sharing. Your words remind me of exactly the way I felt in my own path of discovery. The myriad of dreams and synchronous events, trying to comprehend them all, the sadness and discovery....all made for some interesting self-conversation. Your out look reminds me of my own...I wrote about it here.

CSPAULA wrote: Why do I remember? I figure I may never know “why” but I feel blessed to have had these interesting dreams. I find them infinity fascinating and they have enriched my life in many wonderful ways. I feel very lucky to have had them even though I may never know their true meaning. All I can do is keep recording the dreams and maybe someday these dreams will impart the full picture of "why?" Until then I remain fascinated.
Yes, even in the sadness I see the joy, and they have blessed my life.
Tman
 
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