The Definition of Reincarnation
Reincarnation refers to the spirit or soul moving from one body to another after death. The idea of reincarnation exists in various cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Native American, and African traditions. The definition of reincarnation implies that the soul continues on a journey of learning and growth through multiple lifetimes. Actions from a previous life are the cause of return, called karma, and they shape our present circumstances.
The History of Reincarnation
The definition of reincarnation originates from the Vedas texts of ancient Indian sages. Most people generally accept reincarnation in Buddhism and Hinduism, the most famous mass religions. Throughout history, people in the West have interpreted reincarnation differently. Most often, this depends on the needs of the high clergy or policies implemented to protect the ruling elite’s interests.
For centuries, the Christian Church suppressed the idea of reincarnation despite its acceptance in many Christian mystical sects. Just as Judaism developed the esoteric tradition of the Kabbalah, Christianity also developed its mystical tradition. However, Christianity denied reincarnation and karma, and as a result, the Inquisition persecuted those Christians.
The most infamous story happened when the Catholic Church burned Giordano Bruno, an Italian scientist and philosopher. Bruno was burned alive at the stake just because, among other things, he also believed in reincarnation. Additionally, they went so far as to destroy entire libraries, like the one in Alexandria. Since then, these concepts have been studied only in secret and discussed allegorically by various occult groups throughout history.
The Vedic Definition of Reincarnation
The Vedic tradition greatly emphasizes the concept of reincarnation of the soul in a material body. The Vedas teach that the universe has countless eternal spirit souls that move from one body to another. Also, this is the most ancient and comprehensive source of knowledge on reincarnation. According to the Vedas, every living creature has a material body and a spiritual soul.
The material body is lifeless despite representing a complex arrangement of physical elements. The soul is the spark of life that comes from the supreme energy of creation. Although the soul is 1/10,000 (ten-thousandth) of the cross-section of the tip of a hair, it permeates the body with awareness. In some types of life, it resides for a few seconds, and in others for several thousand years. When a particular body is no longer fit for habitation, the soul leaves it in search of another, entering during fertilization to develop a new body.
Moreover, in its material life, the soul is subjected to various types of enjoyment, lamentation, fear, happiness, and unhappiness. Initially, a living being had almost the same characteristics as a god in its pure, spiritual existence. However, it falls into material states when it becomes drawn to the desire for gratification of senses in the material world separated from its source. It moves from one body to another, going round and round until it sees through the material illusion, emerges from the “samsara” circle, and returns to its source.
The Goal is Knowledge
The Indian Chandra (Moon) rules the astral world, creating and preparing a new incarnation based on our current actions. However, karma is not the unconscious return of good and bad deeds. It directs us towards knowledge. Therefore, the goal of every human being is knowledge, not enjoyment. However, this is difficult to understand because our unconscious fears, feelings, and desires often govern us.
In the yogic tradition, ignorance – avidya – represents the first and most significant obstacle in mind, which is why we suffer. So, at the beginning of any change process, knowledge about what is happening to us is essential. Ahead of us is a period of learning, trial and error, a process that, like any development process, requires persistence, commitment, and awareness.
Guided by so-called contemporary psychologists, philosophers, and fake religions, people in the West do not know the activities of the subtle body. Thus, they cannot understand what the definition of reincarnation means. In different historical traditions, the fact that one life is just one picture from the film tape of our many lives, of our spiritual evolution in this material world, is consistently advocated. Those who support reincarnation talk about the fact that we have this body, which is a vehicle for the soul, following our activities from past acts in life.
Transmigration of the Soul
After death, the physical body decays and transforms into dust. Meanwhile, the soul, the fifth element and the body’s owner, accepts a new physical body of material elements based on past actions, also known as karma from the previous life. Thus, a fully formed soul leaves the physical body to receive a new one. However, a living being is not a material body; the earthly body only covers a living being.
The Indian Hindu book “Bhagavad Gita” compares the body to a suit and explains the definition of reincarnation. A living being, a soul, constantly changes bodies one after another. When the body is too old to continue to exist, the living being discards it and, from the laws of nature, gets another body according to its actions and efforts from the previous life.
The Difference in Bodies
The body is obtained according to how a person relates to material nature. If a person in this life becomes close to the qualities of ignorance and sinful activities, in the next life, according to the laws of nature, they will get a body entirely of suffering. Conversely, if they act positively and constructively against the laws of the universe, they will receive a body with higher qualities.
When an individual’s soul has completed all the lessons planned for their life, the cosmic energy determines the following body for them. The soul then leaves the present body and enters into the new one. However, those who excessively attach themselves to their current life situation and cannot accept the idea of leaving their body are unable to leave because they must remain in the body of the so-called spirit.
Reincarnation is essential to enable the soul to fulfill its purpose
Furthermore, people who commit suicide have to stay for a long time in the subtle body, which is great suffering. The mind is the root cause of such a situation. It causes the creation of different types of bodies that a person must accept. Therefore, the soul can migrate to higher or lower bodies, depending on its relationship with the qualities or forces of material nature.
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