reincarnation
Reincarnation - Do we come back?
Ahhh the age old question! Do we survive death, that's really at the core of the question. Fear of death is attributable to religion, agnosticism and reincarnation. Mankind, being self aware, and very aware that death to the body does occur, have strived to figure out what happens when we die, and if "something" happens what? Do we go to a heaven or a hell, or do we keep coming back until we get it right?
The logic behind the Reincarnation theory
Spiritual people of all walks of life and religions have a cross section of their population that believe in reincarnation. There is a common thread among believers that bind them together for the most part and here it is:
Evolution of the spirit
It is believed by many that we are in a state of evolution, not just physically, but spiritually. The basis of evolution is science is that we evolve to become more efficient at what we do. For example, the use of opposable thumbs is attributed to our need to manipulate objects with our hands. Also, it is thought that water dwelling species developed the ability to walk on land so as to better survive, waters receding, land masses appearing, our prehistoric species here on earth, saw the need to use this land on a genetic level, and evolved to walk upon it, and use it.
Dinosaurs developed all sorts of abilities while on land, defenses from sheer power, to spitting poison, they found a way to cope and survive in the hostile pre-historic world. Like the dinosaurs, we developed our own natural defenses and survival traits. The mind seems to be the one greatest development, the growth of our intellect over other animals has caused us to become the dominate species on the earth.
Since all things in nature show a tendency to evolve and adapt, to go on through the species ancestry to bigger and better things, what of the spirit? Is it stagnate? Does it simply exist, then go to "heaven or hell" at passing? Or does it too evolve, working it's way upward to some sort of spiritual dominance, much like the physical dominance our physical evolution demonstrates?
Moving toward the light
There is a theory among those that believe in reincarnation that all life forms contain spirit. The spirit is born as a small entity, in the
smallest of creatures. As lifetimes are lived, the spirit evolves, passing from one physical existence to the next, working its way up the spiritual ladder of evolution until ultimately re-joining itself to it's original creator. Then, possibly, the cycle starts over again.
The idea is not so much we are not worthy to go directly to heaven, but rather we are not ready... It is thought that lifetimes, in different forms, evolving upward, is the very reason for our existence in the first place. This theory makes all life connected to a common thread. It makes all life forms related, brothers and sisters if you will, on this seemingly endless spiritual journey we all must take. It is thought that the evilest of people evolve, or devolve, step back a peg or two in order to relieve, or learn spiritual lessons so they can resume forward growth. In this theory ALL are saved, and ALL no matter what, will one day rejoin the creator in the great cycle of life.
Reincarnation, if it's real, does not require your belief in it. It is thought to be as natural as a seed sprouting, growing, then dying. But is it real? That's up to you to figure out dear friend! Explore the sites listed below, keep an open mind and decide for yourself.