Reincarnation -- the rebirth of the soul in a new body, post mortum. Have you ever had a compelling interest in a specific country, era, historical event or some other experience from the past? Perhaps you have recurring dreams and nightmares, irrational fears or phobias; or maybe, you have chronic illnesses and pains that are unexplainable. The preceding items could all be indirectly related to a past life (or lives) or more aptly said -- reincarnation.
From 250 A.D. - 564 A.D., there was a great controversy over reincarnation. Origen of Alexandria, an orthodox theologian believed in reincarnation. Up until 564 A.D., reincarnation was believed to have still been in the Bible. However, Constantine (the Roman Emperor of the time) would not accept that he could possibly be reincarnated as a peasant; so he ordered reincarnation removed from the Book. So the story goes.
According to most recent Gallup Organization surveys, 25% of Americans believe in reincarnation. Does reincarnation prevail? The fact is that reincarnation is directly linked to Karma and, on a metaphysical plane (eg. Time Travel) as well. Critics will question "how, praytell, does reincarnation exist when the population of our world is rapidly increasing?" It would be rather egotistical to believe that earth is the only planet with human-soul inhabitants. With so many universal planes that have yet to be discovered, it is preposterous to even queerie this. Not alone, in Hinduism, the belief is that human souls gradually evolve upwards from the animal kingdom. If this is the case, this too would explain how reincarnation could exist; as forestry is diminishing and animal life is quickly being depleted.
Currently, reincarnation is being viewed as "new age." Revisited through hypnotherapy, one may be able to achieve a past life regression. Those who have always believed, have gained much understanding to the profoundness of dreams, to dejeveaux and other phenomena. Greats like the General George Patton, Mark Twain, Socrates, and even Benjamin Franklin were believers in reincarnation. Some persons may or may not quite grasp the ideology of reincarnation, but all persons (at one time or another) have or will experience dejeveaux (the feeling of being or experiencing an event, person, place or thing). You could have possibly been a pauper or a prince, a witch or a Queen...or maybe you were a soldier fighting in a historical war. Perhaps a better explanation of reincarnation would be this: like with Karma, we must make amends for the ills we have done in our lifetimes. In each life, there is a common goal or mission for us to achieve. In in any event, with or without reincarnation, it is essential to finish our spritiual destiny in this lifetime; as we never may know what tomorrow may bring.
Reincarnation / Past Lives