{"id":5429,"date":"2024-01-10T12:02:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T20:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelastdaysoftolemac.com\/prophecy\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2024-03-28T11:10:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T19:10:53","slug":"reincarnation-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelastdaysoftolemac.com\/prophecy\/reincarnation-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Reincarnation – Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reincarnation <\/strong><\/p>\n

As explained in Part One of the post “Beyond the Grave<\/a>“, the world we see and sense around us does not exist as an objective reality as scientists would have us believe. Instead, it is a projection of our minds.<\/p>\n

And we who sojourn in this illusory world and space and time, act according to the prompting of our desires. These actions bring results which are the harvest of those desires that we ourselves have sown.<\/p>\n

As it is on earth while we are alive, so it continues after death. As recorded in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad<\/em>, dating back to the sixth century BC:<\/p>\n

“A man acts according to his desires to which he clings. After death he goes to the next world bearing in his mind the subtle impressions of his deeds; and after reaping there the harvest of his deeds, he returns again to the world of action. Thus he who has desire continues subject to rebirth.”<\/em><\/p>\n

What this Vedic<\/em> quotation reveals is that death does not bring an end to our cycle of life.<\/p>\n

Instead, it is this thread of unfulfilled desire that chains the individual to the wheel of life, and draws them unerringly back to another form in which to continue to pursue the fruits of their desires.<\/p>\n

It is only when all of these bonds of desire are finally broken, that the “I am” merges with its source of Supreme Reality and the cycle of rebirth is finally at an end.<\/p>\n

One of the mysteries that has long puzzled the human mind is this concept of \u201cReincarnation\u201d. The word itself is derived from a Latin term meaning \u201cto take flesh again\u201d.<\/p>\n

The first recorded writings on this subject date back to the philosophical traditions of India and Greece about the 6th<\/sup> century BC. Since that time, different religions have formulated different answers to this puzzle.<\/p>\n

Three of these religions began in India, while three others began in the Middle East. The teachings of these religions can briefly be summarised as follows.<\/p>\n

Hinduism<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hindu interpretation of reincarnation is based on the teachings of the original Indian Rishis <\/em>(Sages) as recorded in the Vedas, <\/em>a Sanskrit word meaning \u201cknowledge\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to these Sages, the world that we ordinarily think of as \u201creal\u201d is actually an illusion \u2013 just like a dream. Together with other illusory states like hypnosis and drug-induced visions, these states are not permanent.<\/p>\n

They always come to an end. However, according to these Sages, life does not end there. It continues in an after-death state, which is followed in due course by a new cycle of birth and death which the Hindus call Samsara.<\/em><\/p>\n

We continue to be trapped in this illusory cycle until such time as we awaken from our ignorance of the true nature of our existence. This awakening is referred to by such Sanskrit terms as Mukti <\/em>or Moksha<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The individual soul (Jiva<\/em>) continues to be bound by action (Karma<\/em>), and every action that we take has a reaction according to the dictates of our own desires. And it is these actions that determine our next incarnation.<\/p>\n

We are reborn through desire. We choose to be reborn so that we can continue to enjoy the delights which bodily existence provides. And this continues for as long as we hanker for the pleasures of the flesh.<\/p>\n

It is only after numerous births and deaths that we eventually become dissatisfied with our human lives, which can never bring deep, lasting happiness and begin to yearn for higher forms of happiness (Ananda<\/em>).<\/p>\n

When, after long spiritual practice (Sadhana<\/em>), a person comes to realise that their immortal soul is their true \u201cSelf\u201d rather than a physical body, their interest in the desires of the physical body begin to fade.<\/p>\n

When all desires are extinguished, the soul that previously sought physical existence will never be born again. Their cycle of rebirth comes to an end, and that person is said to have attained liberation (Moksha<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Jainism<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jainism is a nontheistic religion founded in India in the 6th<\/sup> century BC, that teaches that perfection is gained through multiple incarnations, and that progress is based on one\u2019s actions in each life.<\/p>\n

Karma <\/em>forms a fundamental part of the Jain faith, and the path to becoming a supreme soul is to practise non-violence and truthfulness.<\/p>\n

Our actions in life have consequences. Some of these consequences are experienced in this life, while others are delayed to future incarnations. So whatever suffering or pleasure is experienced in this life is the result of choices made in the past. The Jain texts describe four states of existence. They are:<\/p>\n