Reincarnation

The oppression of a philosophical ideal

A few nights ago a friend and I were talking. He had recently broken up with his girlfriend and was in emotional distress. Eventually, the conversation turned to spiritual principles. At this point I began to firmly bite my lip.

I learned a long time ago that I couldn't discuss my spiritual beliefs in normal conversation. In America, where diverse ideology is touted, alternative viewpoints, especially when of a religious nature, often lead to ridicule and contempt.

My grandmother, never caring about someone else's disdain towards her, has her own credo. She would say, don't cast pearls before swine. A biblical reference¹ meaning don't bother sharing knowledge with someone who won't or can't understand what you're talking about.

However, in this rare instance, I thought it would be appropriate to open up the reincarnation can of worms. I said, "What do you know about reincarnation?"

Although prepared for the invariable response of belittlement, my friend's reply astounded me. He said, "What? That's crazy. I don't believe we come back as flies."

I calmly and methodically explained the basic tenants of modern-day reincarnation philosophy. When I was finished, I was pleased to find that my friend, although not a disciple, had a better understanding of what reincarnation was.

There are differing views on what reincarnation encompasses. Most religions believe reincarnation is a cycle of birth, death, and then rebirth. The original form of reincarnation was created in India around the 9th century BC. The philosophy was later adopted by the other major Eastern religions, Buddhism and Jainism, both of which also originated in India. Chinese Taoism took the philosophy from Buddhism around the 3rd century BC. Slightly thereafter the first Greek philosophical system arose under the teachings of Plato. There is dispute as to whether Plato drew his views from the earlier Greek philosopher Pythagoras or from Eastern religions that were beginning to seep into the Mediterranean. It was probably a little of both.

Reincarnation is deeply misunderstood and mischaracterized in this country. This is due in large part to the efforts of the Christian church. Emperor Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity in 306 AD and in 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius officially declared Christianity the state religion of Rome. It was during this period that biblical passages relating to reincarnation in the New Testament were removed. In 533 AD reincarnation was officially declared heresy by the Second Council of Constantinople. In these early Christian times, some religious sects such as the Gnostics, Manichaeans, Carthari and Celtic Christians taught reincarnation, but they were forced to keep their teachings secret due to fear of persecution. It was not until well after the fall of Rome that reincarnation began to be discussed openly.

Karma is directly linked to reincarnation. Karma is the result of our free will. We bring good karma or bad karma upon ourselves based upon the choices we make throughout our lifetimes. Simply put, every action you take causes a result in the future.


Although Christianity turned its back on its reincarnation roots, many of the world's other major religions still teach it to this day.






Another great mystic Mansur al-Hallaj wrote:


Additionally, it is written in the Koran:


It is clear that the vast majority of world religions support a belief in reincarnation. Christianity is in the minority. Despite the rewriting of the New Testament, there exist several passages that show reincarnation existed in early Christian teachings.

The greatest example of reincarnation in the Bible centers around the story of Elijah. This is one of the few biblical stories that span both testaments. Elijah first appears in the Old Testament, in the first book of Kings. He is one of the greatest of the Hebrew prophets.

Elijah performed many miracles in the name of the Lord. His greatest may have been when he challenged the followers of Baal to a contest². The contest entailed that two altars be built. One to Baal and one to the God of Abraham. Upon each altar was placed an offering. Whichever God was able to rain fire down upon the altar and consume the offering would be declared the one true God.

The priests of Baal prayed and prayed but nothing happened to their altar. When it was Elijah's turn he had the altar doused with water. Elijah knelt and prayed and suddenly fire rained down from heaven and the altar was consumed in flame.

Elijah had demonstrated the power of the God of Abraham. However, he was consumed with anger towards the followers of Baal and he had them all beheaded. This was a mistake and bad karma would follow him in future incarnations.

Many years after the death of Elijah, another Hebrew prophet, Malachi, foretold Elijah's return:


This is the first biblical reference of reincarnation. Malachi prophesizes that Elijah will return and he will precede the coming of the Messiah. The Hebrews were very aware of this prophesy and were constantly looking for Elijah's next incarnation. They knew that when Elijah reappeared the Messiah would shortly follow. Many years later, Jesus' disciples asked if he was Elijah.


This demonstrates that the very first Christians, Jesus' own disciples, believed in reincarnation. Furthermore, Jesus tells that Elijah had already come.


It seems very clear that the old Hebrew prophets and Jesus' disciples all believed in reincarnation. Jesus himself validates reincarnation when he confirms that Elijah had already been reborn

An interesting correlation is also found here. In first Kings Elijah had the followers of Baal beheaded. In Elijah's next incarnation as John the Baptist, he was beheaded by Herod. The bad karma Elijah created returned and manifested itself in Elijah's next incarnation.

In the New Testament, the story of the transfiguration is an account of reincarnation [Mathew 17:1-13]. This chapter of the Bible is hotly debated. Fanatical Christians flat out deny this is any reference to reincarnation. More progressive Christians hold the chapter up as proof that reincarnation is a valid Christian principle.

Without a doubt, Christians are divided on the topic of reincarnation.

In the past century the philosophy of reincarnation has become more widely accepted in the United States. In the 1930's reincarnation was thrust into the spotlight by the work of Edgar Cayce. Later to become known as, The Sleeping Prophet, Cayce performed thousands of past life readings. Most of Cayce's work dealt with holistic cures for physical ailments. Cayce often found that physical ailments in this lifetime are the result of bad karma from a past lifetime.

Edgar Cayce was the first psychic to perform personal readings, (Or at least to call such an activity by that name), a term that would endure to this very day.

The work of Edgar Cayce led to the foundation of the A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment) In addition to the International headquarters located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the A.R.E. boasts local chapters in over 25 countries and activities in over 80. Membership is reported to be over 25,000.

In the 1960's the philosophy of reincarnation experienced another insurgence as Eastern religious ideals permeated hippie culture. In the 1980's and 90's an additional revival occurred as new age religious practices began to spread across the country. Prominent figures such as Shirley McClain and Sylvia Browne further increased interest in reincarnation.

All of this may be quite moot. There is most likely no special spiritual advance if a person believes in the concept of reincarnation while incarnated. If reincarnation is, it simply… is. Belief in the philosophy is not required. In fact, belief in reincarnation may very well hinder a soul's ascension. Apathy may overcome an individual if he or she thinks they'll just get another chance to do it all over again. It is for this very reason the Roman Catholic Church declared reincarnation heresy. The Church wanted followers to believe they had only one shot at salvation.

It is not natural for a person to remember their past lives. When a soul reenters a physical body, it removes all previous spiritual and carnal knowledge. It is important that we don't remember our past lives. It is important, because it helps us grow in this lifetime.


1 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
[Matthew 7:6, King James Version]

2 The Contest on Mount Caramel
[1 Kings 18:20-40]