2-Rebirth and Reincarnation - Notebooks of Paul Brunton
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Transcript of 2-Rebirth and Reincarnation - Notebooks of Paul Brunton
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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category9:FromBirthtoRebirth>Chapter2:RebirthandReincarnation
RebirthandReincarnation1
Thewheeloflifedoesnotstopforlongsoonitwillturnagainandpassfromthepointofdeathtothepointoflife.
2Thethoughtofthebody,ofbeingidentifiedwithit,guaranteesthatadyingpersonwillcomebackhereagain.
3Naturehastakenalongtimetopreparehimforthismomentlongerthanheknowsandusedmanydifferentformstodoso.
4Maneagerlyseeksafleshlytenementthroughreincarnationorisdrawnintoitbyhisdesiresdescribeitasyouwish.
5Tiedtothegreatwheelofbirthandrebirthastheyarebydesiresandlongings,thereisinthemstillnowishforrelease.
6Theoldpeoplewhowalkwithmelancholyface,feelingcondemnedtodierelativelysoon,willdobettertorecognizetheinexorablefatalitywhichmakesdeathalwaysfollowbirth,butwhichthenmakesrebirthfollowdeath.
7Thementalwavelengthonwhichwetuneinhelpstodeterminethekindoflifewehave,thekindofenvironmentweget.
8Boththethingswedesireandthosewedreadbringusintoincarnationagain.
9Betterthanbeingborntowealthyparentsisbeingborntowiseones,forthenthechildwillnotonlybetaughtspiritualvaluesbutwillseethemdemonstratedbeforehiseyes.
10Tobebornandbroughtupinanatmosphereofhighthinkingandwidesearchingthisisthechancewhichreincarnationgives.
11Achildisbornintoafamilynotbymerechancebutastheresultantofforcessetagoinginthepreviousbirthsbothbythenewlybornandbyitsparents.
12Parentsmaydowhattheywishtoencouragethegoodanddiscouragetheevilinthecharactersoftheiroffspring,butinbringingthemintotheworldtheytookachance.Forthechildrenbroughttheirowncharacterswiththemfrompreviousincarnations.
13Whenachildisbornoramandies,thenewworldofhisexperiencecannotbesaidtobe
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eitherareadymadeoneoranentirelypersonalone.Thetruthliesinacombinationofboth.Themysteryofexistenceliesinthewonderfulwayinwhichsuchacombinationisbroughtabout.
14Noneofusisthrownintothisworldagainsthiswill.Allofusareherebecausewewanttobehere.
15Wereincarnateinpartthroughthepressureofaccumulatedkarmaandinpartthroughthepressureofhabitualtendencies.
16Someareeagertodescendintoabodyagain,butothersarereluctantandarehalfdraggeddown.
17Allmencomebacktobodilylifeagainiftheyleavearesidueofkarma.Allkarmathatisnotbroughttoanendbybringingthemind'sbondagetotheegothoughttoanend,makesreincarnationinescapable.
Theinfluenceofpasttendencies
18Thetendenciesbroughtoverfrompastbirths,theexperiencesandcontactsmadethenaswellasinthepresentone,explainhisactingashedoes,andhisbeingwhatheis.
19Heexcuseshisweaknessesbycomplainingagainstnature,whichhasprovidedhimwithinstinctsandpassionsleadingtothem.Butthatwhichhecallsnatureisreallytheinheritanceofhisowntendenciesfromformerlives.
20Atanygivenmoment,amanthinksandactsaccordingto,andasaresultof,hiswholementalandphysicalexperienceoflifeandhiswholecharacterandnature.Thesecannotbelimitedtothesingleshortlifeonearthhenowknows,forthatwillnotexplainmanyofhistendenciesandtraits.Theymustincludeallhispreviouslives.
21Allthingscontributetothemakingofmanthehistoryofhispastandtheclimateofhisland,thepeopleamongwhomheisborn,andhisownparticulartendencies.Themostimportantishiskarma.
22Themodernworldisacrucible,intowhichisthrownalltheideassofarrecoveredfromthepast,togetherwiththoseborninthepresent.
23Hefindshimselfwithintheframeofthetendencieshehasbroughtoverfromearlierbirths,modifiedorcorrectedorsupplementedbytheconditionsofhispresentbirth.
24Whetherornottheadvanceofageandtheaccumulationofexperiencehascausednewideastosupersedehisolderones,theunconsciousmindkeepsitsownregisterofevery
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occasionandsituation.
25Thepastputsitselfintoeverythought,everyact,everyperceptioneven.
26Thematerialistsstretchthetenetofhereditytoanirrationaldegree.Nomanmerelyreproducesthecharacteristicsofhisparentsorofhisdistantforefathers.Thedifferencesexistandareplaininmostcases.Onthecontrary,thereisalwayssomevariationwhichseparateshimfromhisancestry,alwayssomethingoriginaltohimself.Andthisisexplicableonlyonabasisofreincarnation.
27Theoreticalacceptanceofthedoctrineofreincarnationleadsustocanceloutpartoftheclaimofthematerialiststhattheinfluenceofenvironmentmakesthewholeofman.Forasaspiritualbeing,theman'sessentialselfisalreadythereevenfrombirth,andisreallyunfoldinghimselfintoamaterialenvironment.Thelatterprovideshimwithconditionswhichenablehimtoexpresshimself,orbyfailingtoprovidethoseconditionshinderthatexpression.Buttheenvironmentcannotwhollychangeamanorcannotwhollyeliminatehistruecharacter.Whathereallyiswillsoonerorlatercomeoutandshowitself,withorwithoutthehelpofenvironment.Itistrue,however,thatapartofhimmightbeunabletoexpressitselfaltogetherowingtoacompletelyadverseenvironmentorsetofconditions.Nevertheless,theunexpressedpartwouldstillremainlatentlyexistentwithinhischaracterandevenifitneverexpresseditselfatallthroughoutthewholeofhislifetimeitwouldreappearandexpressitselfinalaterreincarnation.
28Weareasmuchthevictimsofourowntendenciesasofourenvironment.Theyshapehappenings,deeds,reactions,decisions,aspirations,andgrovelings.
29ThebeliefiscommoninEuropeandAmericathatwestartlifeasbabeswithablankcharacterorwithoneinheritedpartiallyortotallyfromparentsandancestors.
30Thecomplexesandtendenciespreexistingthepresentbirthandhiddendeepinhissubconsciousmind,mustsoonerorlatercomethroughtothesurfacemind.
31Inthefinalaccountingitislesswhatamanreceivesfromeducationthanwhathereceivesfromformerlivesthatmattersmost.Hiseducationmayhelptobringitoutandrounditoutbuthisinnatestockwilllargelybethemeasureofhisassets.
32Ancestrymaybringaman'sbody:itdoesnotbringhisgenius.
33Thetraitsandtendencieswhichamanreceivesfromtheprecedingbirthsconstituteintheirtotalitythepersonalselfwhichheknowsas"I."
34Whatamanbringsoverfromformerbirthsarethefixedideasinhisconsciousness,thehabitualdirectionofhisfeelingsandtheinnateimpulsesofhiswill.
35Thehabitsofthought,feeling,andconductwhichsettleuponamanreallyconstitutethe
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man.Foritisthosewhicharebroughtoverfromtheexperiencesofearlierbirths,whichsproutupinhisyouthandripeninhismaturity,andthusexpressthemselvesthroughhisparticularpersonality.
36Whatamanis,needs,orhasdoneputshimjustwhereheis.
37Thatcharacterisshapedbycircumstanceandenvironmentonlyspiritualdreamersmaydeny,butthatitiswhollyshapedbythemonlymaterialistdreamersmayaffirm.Akeen,subtle,andsensitiveintelligencecantracebylogic,imagination,orintuitionthefactofitsownpreviousexistenceandhenceacceptthenecessityofitsdevelopmentthroughreincarnation.
38Theegoinheritsthetendencies,theaffinities,andtheantagonismswhichhaveshapedthemselvesinalongseriesofbirthsbehindthepresentone.
39Theinnatetendenciesofhismentallifegiverisetothenaturalcompulsionsofhisactivelife.Hecannotbehavedifferentlyfromthewayhedoesthatis,ifheisnotonthequestandthereforenotstrugglingtorisebeyondhimself.Hisownpastanditstretchesbackfartherthanheknowscreatedthethoughts,theacts,andtheconditionsofthepresent.
40Thereisadefiniterelationbetweenaman'scharacter,capacity,andtalentincombinationandhisfortunes,opportunities,andfrustrations.
41Thefutureofanyindividualispartlyforeseeabletotheextentthathischaracter,pasthistory,andhiscapacitiesgiveaclue.
42Wearehitinthefacebyourownsins.
43Thesethoughtshavebecome,byconstantrepetition,longstandinganddeeprooted.Thatistosay,theyhavebecomeinherenttendenciesandgoverningcomplexesoftheman'scharacter.Hehimselfseldomrealizeshowmuchandhowoftenheisattheirmercy.
44Thereisasagacitywhichcomesfromripenedexperienceandanotherwhichcomesfromdeepenedexperience.
45Menarenotseparatedfromeachotherbytheyardsbetweentheirbodiesalone,butevenmorebytheinequalityoftheircharactersandthediscordbetweentheirattitudes.Mendonotbecomeneighboursmerelybecausetheirbodiesliveneartoeachother,butbecausethereisaffinitybetweentheircharactersandharmonybetweentheirattitudes.Twolovingfriendsareneareachothereventhoughtheirbodiesareinseparatecontinentstwohatingenemiesarefarfromeachothereventhoughtheirbodiesareinthesameroom.
46ThemoreIreflectaboutmyglobaltravels,observations,andstudies,themoreIholdfirmlytothistruth:"Characterisfate."
47
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Theimperfectionsinourcharactermeasureaccordinglytheunpleasantnessesinourexperience.
48Acompleteknowledgeofwhatmenareoughttoleadtoacompleteforeknowledgeofhowtheywillact.Butactuallythereisalwaysamarginofunpredictability.
49Itistruethatthewholeofwhatmanexperiencesisnotwhollyofhisowndirectmakingandthatonlyapartofitisso.Butthatisthelargestpart.Itistruethathisnation'slifeaffectsandisresponsibleforsomeofthecolourwhichhisowntakeson.Butwhywasheborninthatparticularnationduringthatparticularperiod?Theanswermustagainbethatheisgettingtherecompenseofhisownpastmaking.Forhisnationmayliedefeatedandwounded,oritmaystridetriumphantandprosperous.
50Weautomaticallytrytorepeattheoldpatternsofbehaviourcreatedinformerliveswhethertheyarebeneficialorinjurioustous.Thishappensbecausewecanhardlyhelpdoingso.
51Therecurrenceoftheseoldsituationswillgoonlifetimeafterlifetimeuntilthelessonislearnt.
52Wearevictimsofourownpast:itcreatesagrooveofimpetusandmomentumalongwhichwemove.Thisleavesnoroomforthenew,thecreative,toenterin.
53Wemayhaveforgottentheearlyandoriginalsourceofapresentbelief,aninveterateattitude,oranintensefeeling,butyetitmayhaveapowerfulholduponusandexertapowerfulinfluenceonouracts.
54Anaspirantmayresolvetodropthepastfrommemoryafterhehasabsorbeditslessons,toletitgobecauseitstillbelongstotheillusionoftime.Neverthelessitsconsequencesarestillthere.Theyarepresentinhiminwhatheisnow.
55Tendencies,habits,anddesiresinheritedfrompastlivesmaybeworthfollowing.Buttheymayalsobeharmful,ornegativeandnoteasilydislodged.
56Itisneitherfeasiblenordesirabletoeliminatealltracesofthepastfromhismind.
57Whatwewereinthepastisnotimportant.Whatwearenowisimportant.Whatweintendtomakeofourselvesinthefutureisvitallyimportant.
58Amancanrespondtoeventsortoprophets,todemandsortoexperiences,onlyonthelevelofhisowncapacityandmentality.Wehavenorighttoaskthatheshallbebetterorwiser.
59Characterandculturearetobegradedbytheinnerattributeswhichformerliveshavedevelopedbutwhichmaynotyet,inthepresentlife,befullyunfolded.
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60Thepatheticthoughtsofwhatmighthavebeentormenthim.Butaretheyfutile?Iftheyshowhowactionscouldhavebeenimprovedanddecisionsbettered,theysowseedsforthenextbirth.
61Thisclingingtohabitsstandsinthewayofourhealthandevenofoursalvation.
62Wecomeintobirthasdistinctpersonsevenbabiesbegintoshowtheirindividualdifferenceswithcharactersformedalreadyinpreviousexistences.Thisisonereasonwhysomeamountoftolerance,someacceptanceofoneanotherasweare,isnecessaryifwearetolivepeaceablytogether.
63Wisdomhappens.Itmaybefoundamongtherichorrespectable,oritmaytakeaplayfulturnanddismaysnobsbybeingbornamongthepoororpariahs.Onlyfoolstrytotieclass,race,ornationalistlabelsontothesoul.
64Theessenceofcountlessexperiencesandstatesthroughwhichhehaspassedishereandnowwithhimasthedegreeofcharacter,intelligence,andpowerwhichhepossesses.
65Hewhohastakenmanybirthshasagreatwealthoftotalexperiencebehindhim.Thismanifestsitselfnaturallyinwiserdecisionsandbetterselfcontrol.
66Memoryisaspiritualfacultyinasmuchasitgivesusthechanceandmeanstoextractteachingwisdomandguidancefromthepast.Itenablesustovisualizepastexperienceandmakeiteitheraguideorawarningindealingwithpresentproblems.
67Thatatruthwhichissocleartotheirownmindscouldbesoobscuretootherminds,iseasilyexplicablebythegradingprocessesofreincarnation.Eachman'spresentstateandviewsaretheoutcomeofhispastexperiencesinpastlives.
68Somespendawholelifetimetryingtogetenlightenment,othersgetitinafewyears.Thedifferenceisaccountedforbythedifferenceinreadiness,ingrowth,andinbalance.
69Inreactionsanddesires,inneedsandmentalpatterns,intastesandinterestswemaysearchtheplanet'smillionsbutfindnotwoindividualsabsolutelyalike.Differenceandvarietyareimprinteduponthehumanrace.
70Wildanimalsaremercilessbuthumananimalsareamixedlot.Somearekindly,otherscruel.Thedifferencebetweenthewildandhumanvarietiesissimplyadifferenceinevolution.Thedistancebetweenthemisfilledwithbirths,experience,theresultantlessonsabsorbedleadingtotraitsdeveloped.
71Thesamesituationwhichleadstooneman'sdevelopmentleadstoanotherman'sdegradation.Thisissobecausetheircapacitiestodrawrightlessonsfromexperienceareunequal.
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72Justaseachmanhasaseparateidentity,soallmenhavedistinctivetraitsandmarks,formandappearances.Naturedoesnotindulgeinthemonotonyofuniformity.
73Themanwhofindshismindsuddenlyilluminated,butdoesnotknowwhyitcameabout,mayfindhisanswerinthedoctrineof"tendencies"prenatalandkarmicreappearingfromformerlivesandheldhithertointhedeepermentallevels.
74Whereexperienceoflifeislimitedtoasmallarea,knowledgemaybejustassmall.Theresultreallydependsonwhatamandoeswithhismind,ifweassumethathehashadalotofexperienceinpreviousincarnations,eventhoughhemayhavehadlittleinthispresentincarnation.
75Thenotionthatwisdomcomeswithageisridiculedbytheyoungpeopleoftoday.Theyseesenilefoolsormiddleagedfailuresorleaderswhosepeoplefallintonewerandmorenumerousdifficultiesandconcludethattheythemselvesnotonlyknowbetterbutcandobetter.Yetthenotionisnottobedismissedsolightly.Thereisadeepgroundforitstruth,toodeepperhapsforcommonsight,andhenceonlyforthoseofinsight.Theagewhichisgrownintoaftermanybirths,ratherthanmanyyears,ismellowwithwisdomquitenaturally.
76Weoughtnottoaskmentoexpressqualitiesofcharacterandmindwhichneitherexperiencenorbirthenablethemtoexpress.
77Itiseasytodespiseasstupidthoseofobviousinferiorintelligence,butitwouldbewelltorememberthatwewereonceatthesamelevel.Thenotionofrebirthteachestolerance.
78Theadvancedmysticreachesapointinhislifewherehefindsitnecessarytoovercomethepullofthosepastperiods,whenhewasabletoliveinamorecongenialatmospherethanpresentdaycivilizationprovides.Becauseoftheworldcrisiswhichdominateseveryaspectoflife,heknowsitisnecessarytolookforwardandnotbackward.Andheknows,too,thatthisiswhyhefeelsimmenselyattractedtoaparticularplaceEgyptandIndiaarecommonexamples.
79Weareallbiasedandblindedbythepast.Weneedtoforceourselvestofacethepresentbythelightofthefuture,asamanforceshimselftobeartheburdenofprolongedhardworkwherefromhehopestoreaphishighreward.
80Thisincarnationwillbeworthwhileifonlyitisusedtorectifysomeofthemistakesofearlierincarnations.
81Wheneverthereisachoicetobemadebetweenthetruthofthephilosophicviewandthefalsityofthematerialisticview,theman'sspiritualagewillrevealitself.
82MenactuallydefendthemselvesagainsttheTruth,soattachedaretheytotheirancientthoughtformsandbeliefs.
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83Ofwhatuseisittoquotetheneedforfollowingtraditionandobeyingauthorityorforjoininginprotestandrebellion?Menmoveintoactionoftheoneortheotherkindastheirtendenciesdictate,inaccordancewiththepressuresfromtheirpreviousbirths.ThisiswhatBuddhasawwhenhepenetratedandanalysedhumannatureandwhyheinsistedontheemancipationofoneselffromoneself.
84WhydosometaketotheTrueDoctrineatfirstglancewhereasothersandtheyarethemajorityspurnit?Theansweristobefoundintheinternalageorprenatalexperienceorreincarnatedtendencies.
85Whenintuitiverecognitionsoftruth,swiftflashesofunderstanding,comeonhearingorreadingtheseinspiredstatements,thisisasignofhavingbeenengagedinitsquestduringformerreincarnations.
86Weareinbondagetoourownpast.Whocandeliverus,saveourselves?
ReincarnationandMentalism
87Thatmenareatvaryingstagesofmentalcapacity,differentdegreesofspiritualresponse,andunequalincharacter,manners,selfcontrol,orreactions,isamatterofeverydayobservation.Thetheoryofreincarnationinmentalismoffersalogicalexplanationofthesedifferences,andadeeperonethanmaterialism's.
88Thetruthabouttheuniversecannotbehadunlessatthesametimewegetoutsidethelimitedviewsandemotionalprejudicesofthepersonallife.Norcanwegetatthetruthaboutourselvessolongaswethinkintermsofasingleearthlylifetime.Todosoleadstomentalshortsightednessandgivesanincorrectvisualimageofhumanlife.Allthisshowswhyweneedboththequest'sdisciplineandphilosophy'sknowledge.
89Thereisnodirectandincontrovertibleproofofreincarnation,butthereislogicalevidenceforit.Whyshouldtherebecertainabilitiesalmostwithoutprevioustraining?WhyshouldIbepossessedatanearlyageofthementalabilitiesofawriter,orsomeoneelseofamusician?Heredityalonecannotaccountforit.Butitisperfectlyaccountedforifweconsiderthemtoasubconsciousmemory.Iamunwittinglyrememberingandusingagainmyowncapabilitiesfromaformerbirth.ThisispossibleonlybecauseIammind.Mindalonecancontinueitself.Capacitiesinanyfieldcannotappearoutofnothing.Theindividualwhoshowsthemforthisrepeatingthemoutofhisowndeepermemory.ThereistheevidenceofNature.WhenIwakeupinthemorning,IpickupallthatIhadthedaybefore.Iremembermyownindividualityandusethesameliterarytalentsasbefore.Otherwise,Icouldneverwriteagain,orsomeoneelsecouldneversing.Thebasisofthisreminiscenceisnotaphysicaloccurrence,butamentalone.
90Itisnecessarytoknowhowmenthinkinordertounderstandwhytheythinkastheydo.Thestructureofthemindinhumanbeingsexplainswhytheyarriveatparticularconclusionsoracceptcertainbeliefsineachparticularcase.Butwithouttheideaofrebirththisexplanationremainsincomplete.
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91Theviewswhichanyoneholdsintellectuallyarerelativetohisexperienceandstatus,hisinnatecharacterandreincarnatoryhistory.
92Isittruethatsoonorlateafterdeathweemigratetoanotherphysicalbody?Cansuchadoctrinebepartofareasonableman'sviews?Theanswerisyes.Norneedreasonaloneguideusinthismatter,forthevariedevidenceshavebeencollectedandstatedbyaveryfewauthors.Psychicalsensitivitytoinvisiblerecordsofthepastoffers,forwhatitisworth,someconfirmations.
93ThecapacitytocommunewiththeOverselfexistsinallmenitisauniversalone.Butitdoesnotexisttoanequaldegree.Forthosewhocanacceptthedoctrineofrebirth,theexplanationofthisinequalityliesthere.
94Whetherwehavelivedonthisearthbeforeandshallliveonitagainisamattersusceptibleonlyofmetaphysicalandnotofphysicalproof.
95Theverynatureofreincarnationpreventsanyonefromcompletelyprovingit.Butthereisnoothertheorythatissoreasonabletohelpusunderstandourevolution,history,capacity,genius,character,andinequalitynoothersousefultohelpussolvethegreatproblemofwhywearehereonearthatall.Thisdoctrine,thattheegorepeatedlyvisitsourplaneinfreshphysicalforms,isdemandedbyreason,suppliedbyintuition,andverifiedbyrevelation.
96Anymanisfreetousehismemoriesandexperienceseitherdestructivelyorconstructively:itisuptohimwhichusehemakesofthem.Thatenvironment,circumstances,heredity,andotherwellknownfactorsmayinfluencewhathedoeswiththemistrueenoughbutwhatheis,whatcharacterandtendenciesheexpresses,weretransmittedfromformerbirths,werepresentbeforeheacquiredtheattributesmentioned.
97Allhisexperiencesduringtheagesuponagesofhisexistenceasafinitecentreoflifeandconsciousnesshavelefttheirrecordinthemysteriousandmeasurelessseedatomofhisbody.
98Freud'spostulateoftheUnconsciousmindasastructureofforgottenunrecoverablememoriesisaprecursoroftherebirththeory.Itpreparesthewayforscientificacceptanceofthelatterandshouldinevitablyleadtoit.Inturn,itthrowslightonthedoctrineofkarma.Fortheegowhichrevivesoutofapparentnothingnessistheconsciousmindwhichreappearsoutoftheunconscious.Whentheproductionoftheseideaenergies(thatis,tendencies,samskaras)isbroughttorest,thentheycanneveragainobjectifyintoaphysicalenvironment,afreshrebirth,andthusmanbecomeskarmafreeandentersNirvana.Aslongashebelievesthatheisthebodyhemustreincarnateinthebody.
99Thereincarnationswhichprecedethepresentonecontributetoitscharacteristicsandhelptoshapeitshappenings.Butthisdoesnotmeantheygiveallitscharacteristicsandhappenings.Somedevelopoutoftheouterfactsandinnerreactionsofthispresentbirth.
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Thestrangefeelingofhavinglivedbeforeandthereforeofhavingbeensomeoneelsemayflashbrieflythroughconsciousness.
101Hisconductwhilealivewillcontributetothekindofbodyandenvironmenthegetsnexttime,histhoughtandfeelingstoo.Weearnfromlifeandpassuphigherorgodownlowerlikepupilsingradedschool.
102Whereisanyman'sbiographywhichismorethanfragmentary,opinionated,andbiased?Forwithoutthebackgroundpictureofearlierlivesinotherbodiesthematerialsarethinnerthanthecompilerbelievesthemtobe.
103Onewhoknowssomethingofhispastliveshassomethingtothrowlightinsomewayonhispresentone.
104Thecommoncomplaintagainsttheideaofahumanreembodimentisthatwehavenorememberedknowledgeofwhathappenedand,therefore,ofthecausesofpresenttroublesforwhichwearepersonallyresponsible.Itisforgottenthatsuchknowledgecouldonlybehadatthecostofresufferingallthehorrorsandmiseriesofthepastaswellasitsjoys.
105ThebenevolentshieldofNatureprotectsusfromtheunhappypastotherwisewewouldsufferfutilely,asTaylorCaldwell,famedAmericannovelist,sufferedwhenshehadrecurrentnightmaresoflivinginadungeonduringtheMiddleAges.
106Ifthousandsofprenatalmemoriesweretocomecrowdingintogether,themind'slifewouldbehorrible,crazy.Worse,one'sownpersonalidentitywouldbelost,mergedinalltheothers.
107Itisnotatallnecessarytolearnhowwelivedinpastlivesinordertoknowhowbesttoliveinthisone.Suchknowledgemightbeusefulbutitalsomightbequitedangerous.Itcouldleadtoattemptstoevadewhatiscomingtousasaconsequenceofwhatwehavedonebefore.Suchevasioncouldrobusofachancetolearnthelessonsofthatexperience,whiletheattemptstogainthisknowledgecoulditselfleadtopsychism.AsufficientpracticalguidecanbefoundinPhilosophy'smoralwisdom,togetherwithone'sownconscience.
108Speculationsonformerbirthscandevelopintohallucinations.Itiswisetokeepofftheseuselessimaginationsandattendtothehereandnow.
109Whetheraman'slifebegovernedbyamoralitybaseduponreligionoranethicsinculcatedbybreeding,oruponneither,thereisasubconsciousconsciencealwayspresentwhichisahiddenundergroundfactorinhisoutlookanddecisions.Itcomesfromformerbirths.
110Onemayexperienceasenseoflossifhehasnotrecoveredthedegreeofawarenessachievedinpreviousincarnations.
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111Whatweknowfrompastbirthsdoesnothavetobelearnedagainfromexperiencesofthesamekindinthepresentbirth,unlesswedonotknowitorfeelitstronglyenough.
112Ifhemustseektorememberpreviousexistencesnowlosttoconsciousness,lethimseekonlythosewhereinherosetohisspiritualbest,whereinhecameclosertoGodthanintheothers.
113Theunenjoyablelessonmaybeassimilatedbutthepasthasbeenrecorded.Memorycannotchangeit,cannotremoveitsunpleasantness.Sotheblanknessofthenewlyreincarnateblotsoutsuchmorbidsouvenirs.
114Thisfeelingthatwehaveseenthisplacebefore,passedthroughthatsituation,comesfromaformerpersonality.Thesoulisthesame,buttheoutermanisnot.
115Reincarnation.Wetellourchildrenstrangetalesthatbringayearningwonderintotheireyes,foroutofthefarpasttheirsimpleandunstainedsoulsrememberlandspeopledwithfairiesandgods.
116Isitsofoolishathoughttosaytooneself,"IsometimesidentifywiththeIndianssoclosely,sosympathetically,thatthisbeliefthatIwasonceoneofthemisquiteacceptable"?WhenIfirstheardofittheideaofreincarnationseemedinharmonywithNatureandneedednofurtherargumentinitsfavour.
117TherearesomewhofeelaspecialaffinitywiththeOrient,orratherwithaparticularOrientalcountry.Thisfeelinghassignificanceabouttheirpastprenatalhistory,andshouldbevaluedforwhatitis.Buttoletthepresentlifetimebewhollyovershadowedbythedeadpastisunwise.
118Ifthephysicalmemoriesofearlierlivesarelost,thementalcapacitiesandemotionaltrendspersist.
119Amanmaysitaloneinhissolitaryroomandstirbutlittlefromit,yetthewisdomofstrangelandsandstrangerageswillfloatintohismind.SuchaonehasreceivedahighinheritancedownthroughtheturningsofTime,agoodlypowerthatisthetestamenttohisstrenuouseffortsinsearchofknowledgeinformerlives.Somemenaresuchnaturalmysticsthattheyareborn,asitwere,withthethaumaturge'swandintheirhands.
120Itiscommonenoughtohearofpeoplewhowantaplaceinthereincarnatorysun,compensatingfortheirpresentobscuritybythediscoverythattheywereformerlyCleopatraorJuliusCaesarorthelikeintheirpreviousreincarnation.Welaughatsuchweaknessandvanitybutwemightasksuchpersonswhyshouldthepresenceofremembrancestopwiththelastbirth.Whataboutthebirthbeforethat?Whataboutthedozensofbirthsbeforethatultimateone?Whataboutthebirthsduringtheprehistoricperiod?Whypickononlythefirstandnotonthehundredthbirthfromthepresentone?
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Thesameforceswhichbringusintotheexperienceofanewreincarnationalsodepriveusofthememoryofpreviousreincarnations.
122Wemayfeelthepullortherepulsiongeneratedbyeventsorbypersonsmetwithinotherlifetimes.Themeaningofsuchmeetingsshouldbesought,althoughitmaytakesometimeandexperiencebeforeitisfound.Ifaplaceorapersonseemsstrangely,eveneerily,familiar,sothatoneentersintoarelationshipwhetherasfriendorasenemyveryquickly,thiscanoftenbetakenasastrongconfirmationofaprenatalrelationship.
123Whatwelearnedinpreviouslivescomesbackagaininthepresentone,butitmaynotcomeearly,itmaycomelater.Muchdependsontheenvironmentastowhentheseoldqualitiescanreappear.Italsodependsupontheeventsandthehistoryoftheindividual.
124Eachnewbirthisneitheratotalreplayofpastonesnortotallydifferentfromthem.Therelationtoeachotherisnotonlythere,butalsototheWorldIdea,hencetothefargoal.
125Thehumanbeingdoesnotreachfullphysicaldevelopmentuntiltheskeletalstructure,particularlythewisdomteeth,reachesit.Thishappensbetweentheagesoftwentyfiveandthirty.Withthenewbodyfullyready,recapitulationoftheoldone'sexperiencesoonceases.
126Justasintheplayingofbilliardstheimpactofaballhittingasecondonegivesthelatteranimpetusandadirection,sothekarmaofonebirthisbroughtovertothenextbirth.Thisisnotthesameasaparticularentity,athingcalledego,beingcarriedover.
127Hisexperiencesinthislifewerelargelydecidedforhiminapreviouslifeonearth.
128Theconditionswhichsurroundamanarenoaccident.Theyaretherebecauseheiswhatheisandhispastiswhatitwas.IfanyoneignorestheLawofRecompenseandlimitshispasttothepresentknownlifetime,ignoringpreviousappearancesonthisplanet,thoseconditionswillmanytimesbeinexplicable.
129Thefeelingoffamiliaritywithsomeonemetforthefirsttime,ofvagueindistinctrecognitionwhichwesometimesget,mayhavevaryingsignificances.Butoneofthemisanechoofremembranceofpreviouscontactinapastbirth.
130Imaginehowmuchinconveniencewouldbecausedifscenesandoccurrencesfrompreviousliveskeptonintrudingintotheaffairsofthepresentone.
131Somefinditfascinatingtospeculateaboutwhomtheyarethereincarnationof,buttheyoughttokeepclearinmindthatthisisimaginationgivenfreeplay.Inothercases,however,thereisgenuineremembrance,whichmayappearineitherwakingordreamstates.
132Thesaintsweremartyrs.TheyacceptedalltheirsufferingascomingfromGodandeven
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embracedit.ThePhilosophicwayistorealizethatitisoftenkarma,selfearnedandbroughtupononeselfhenceoneshouldanalyseitandtrytounderstandwhyithascomesothatthelessonwon'thavetoberepeated.
TheChristian,Muhammedan,andJewishreligionsmustacceptthedoctrinesofreincarnationandkarmaiftheywanttoestablishareasonableplaceforsufferingintheschemeofthings.
133Therearepeoplewhom,atasingleglanceandinasinglesecond,onefeelsonehasknownwellbefore.Withthemonemaydroptheconventionalpreliminaries,thetediouscircumlocutoryplayofmorewordsandfurthermeetingasbeingunnecessary.
134Whateverhelearnedinthepastyearsandbirthswasastepnotalwaysaforwardonetoberegardedasasourceoffurtherinstruction,experience,understanding,andpractice.
135Whenthebalanceisstruckattheendofeachreembodiment,whateverhehasachievedfallstothecreditofhisadvancement:itsvaluewillshowitselfinhisnextbirths.Butitisuptohimtoearnit,justasheisfreetoalimitedextenttodiminishwhathehadalready.TheEgyptianBookoftheDeadreferstoa"DayofJudgement."Thisisit.
136SinceitisnotfromtheanimalbutfromthehumanstatethattheEssenceofBeingcanberealized(becausetheanimaldoesnotpossessthenecessaryfaculties),theprocessesofrebirthmustfillthegapbetweenlowestanimaltohighesthuman.
137Whentheenergieshaverunout,andtheadvanceofyearsmustbemeasuredsadlywhenamanknowsatlastwhatheoughttohavedone,itistoolate.Thisiswhyanotherchance,anotherbirthonearthisneeded.
138Somethingdoesgetdistilledfromtheserepeatedexistences,howeverslowly.Thatmenlearnlittleornothingfromhistoryseemstruetomanymoralisticcriticstheyhaveagoodcase,butitstruthisonlyonthesurfaceofthings.
139Onlywhenthedesireforperpetuationofpersonalexistencefinallyleaveshimisamanreallynearthepointwhereevenalittleeffortproduceslargeresultsonthisquest.Butgettingtiredofthewheelofrebirth'sturningsdoesnotcomeeasily.
140Whyshouldthatwhichisperfectneedtobebornagainandagain?Thetenetofreincarnationistrueonlyfromthepointofviewoftheegoanditssenses.Itisnottruefromtheultimatepointofview.Itexplainsalltheinequitiesandsomeofthesufferingsoflifewithintheworlddream,butitismeaninglesswhenweawaketotherealworld.
141Butwhocancountthenumberoftimesalivingbeingmustincarnateintheplantworldbeforeitisreadytoentertheanimalkingdom?Nearlyahalfoftheaveragelifeisspentinrecapitulatingthepreviousincarnationaldevelopmentsothattheworkofanewincarnationdoesnotreallybeginuntilthen.
142
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Itwouldseemthattheexperienceofawholelifetimeiswastedwhenpeopleexistinsuchspiritualtorpor,merelykeepingtheiranimalbodiesalive.Butofcourseitisnotreallysoforhoweverslightandoutwardlyunrecognizableinwardgrowthmaybe,itmustbethere,orNature'sprocessofreincarnationwouldbemeaninglessanduselessmechanicalrepetition.
143Ifanewbirthisanewopportunitytogainspiritualexperience,itisalsoanewopportunitytocommiterrorsandacquirevices.
144Lookingatthemonstrouswickednessandfollyintheworldtoday,itwouldseemastupidandhopelessefforttobelievethathumancharacterwillbecomeanybetterthanitwasandstillis.Butthefactofreincarnation,withitstremendouspossibilities,restoresthishope.
145Wechangealittleinappearancewitheachincarnationwehaveto.Butsometimeswechangealtogether.
146Weareincarnatedtobeeducated.Experienceprovidesthelessons,andnecessitygivesthedisciplines.
147Hisreappearanceonearthwouldbejustifiedbytworesultsalonethatitgivesamanachancetostartlifeanewandtomendcharacter.
148Itwouldbeabsurdtoregardeveryfreshrebirthasafreshadvanceinwisdomandvirtue.Thehumanentityisnotamechanicalentity.Therearelapses,regressions,failures,andstagnationsinitslongjourney.
149Justastheimpetusofonewavecausesanothertocomeintobeing,sotheimpetusofonehumanreincarnationcausesanothertofollowitinsuccession.Andjustasthesecondwavemaybesimilartobutnotidenticalwiththefirstone,sothelateregomaybesimilarto,butisnotidenticalwith,theearlierone.
150Allthereincarnationswhicharenecessarytotheunfoldmentofhischaracterandcapacitiesmustbelivedthrough.
151Theprospectofanendlessexistence,howevercyclicalandintermittentitmaybe,keepingonandonandonisnotattractivetoeveryoneandcertainlynottothosewhohaveweighedwellthemeasuresofjoyandsufferinginearthlylife.Alldesiresaremeltingdownintoasingledesirefornonexistence,buttheyhavedonesoonlypartially.
152Livingentitiescomeherefromlessevolvedplanetsjustaswegoontohigherones.But,inbothcases,thismustbeaccomplishedwithincertainlimitedperiods.Afterthatthepossibilityofentryceases.
153Thenotionthatwehumansreturntoearthforarenewedlifethrillssomepersonswith
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pleasurebutotherswithdismay.Thisreactiondependsonthepersonalhistory,andonthephysicalmentalcondition.
154ItishardtounderstandwhyAdamandEveneededangelswithflamingswordstodrivethemoutoftheGardenofEden.Surelytheboredomofsuchaplacewasenoughinducementforthemtoleavevoluntarily,eveneagerly?Menpassthroughheavenduringtheperiodbetweenearthlyembodiments,yettheydonotremaintherebutmustreturnto"thisvaleofmisery."Why?Dotheycometoatimewhenunalloyedhappiness,withoutaflawandwithoutanopposition,canbesustainednolongerandachangefromthisEdenlikestate,anychange,seemsmorepreferable?
155Therewouldbelittleadvantageingatheringmoreexperienceonlytorepeateverymistakeeverytime.Althoughthisseemstohappenquiteoften,itcannotbeapermanentpattern.
156Whydowehavetolearnthesesimplebasictruthsthroughsomanyreincarnationsandatsohighacost?Thisisacomplaintsomepeoplemake.
157Inanotherbody,borninanotherland,life`spersistencebringsushereagain.Theoldgameintermittentlyrecurs,bringingitsjoysandgriefs.
158Thedevelopmentofthesefaculties,theunfoldmentofthesecapacities,andtheexpansionofthisconsciousnessarealsoincipientlypresentevenintheanimalreincarnationoftheentity.
Beliefsaboutreincarnation
159Reincarnationaccountsforthepredisposingfactors,thespecificurges,theparticularadditions,andthenaturalqualitiesofeachego.
160Whenhelooksbackuponthelongseriesofearthliveswhichbelongstohispast,heisstruckafreshbythesupremewisdomofNatureandbythesupremenecessityofthisprincipleofrecurringembodiment.Iftherehadbeenonlyonesinglecontinuousearthlife,hisprogresswouldhavebeenbroughttoanend,hewouldhavebeenclutteredupbyhisownpast,andhecouldnothaveadvancedinnewdirections.Thispastwouldhavesurroundedhimlikeacircularwall.Howunerringthewisdomandhowinfinitethemercywhich,bybreakingthiscircleofnecessity,giveshimthechanceofafreshstartagainandagain,setshimfreetomakenewbeginnings!Withoutthesebreaksinhislifesequences,withouttheadvantagesoffreshsurroundings,differentcircumstances,andnewcontacts,hecouldnothaveliftedhimselftoeverhigherlevels,butwouldonlyhavestagnatedorfallentolowerones.
161Thelawwhichpushesusinto,oroutof,physicalbodiesisacosmiclaw.Thereisnoblindchanceaboutit.
162
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(a)NotuntilthefourthcenturywhenoneChristianpartybecamesuccessfulenoughtobearmedwithworldlypowerdidthepersecutionofGnosticsbegin.
(b)Intheattempttoeliminateunpalatabletenets,nolessthansevenCouncilswereheldinthoseearlycenturies.Heresuchtenetswerebrandedasheresiesandarrangementsmadetoexterminatethemthoroughly.EspeciallyattheCouncilofNicea(325a.d.)andthegreatCouncilofConstantinople(381a.d.),rebirthwaspronouncedaheresy,allthebooksteachingitwereferretedoutanddestroyed,anditsadvocatesthreatenedwithseverepunishment.
(c)YetnotonlyhadseveralChristiansectsbelievedinreincarnationbutsomeoftheearlyChristianFathers,too.TheFatherswhoheldmetempsychosistobetrueincludedOrigen,whoflourishedabout230a.d.,JustinMartyr,140a.d.,ClementofAlexandria,194a.d.,TertullianofCarthage,202a.d.ThesectswhohelditincludedBasilidians,thesecondcenturyMarcionitesofPontus,theValentiniensofEgypt,alsosecondcentury,andtheSimonians.Moreover,allGnosticsectshelditandtheywereoncemorenumerousthananyothergroupofChristians.Thisisimportant,thatmostoftheearlyChristiansbelievedinthisdoctrine.
(d)TheManichaeansalsotaughtrebirthand,togetherwiththeGnosticsandSamaneans,formedaconsiderablepartoftheearlyChristianworld.
(e)Wheretheliteraturewasnotdestroyeditwassoadulteratedorinterpolatedastomakeitappeareitherquiteridiculousorutterlyerroneous.ThehistoriansamongthelaterFathersevenaccusedtheGnosticsofeatingchildren!
(f)TheearlyGnosticscameclosertothetruth,butthelatercultswhichsprangupamongthemdepartedfromitbyintermixingitwithnonsenseandcorruptingitwithfalsehoods.
(g)Philo,himselfaJew,explicitlystatesthattheEssenesgottheirknowledgefromIndianBrahmins.EveryoneknowsthatrebirthwasanessentialfeatureoftheBrahmins'faith,soitisfairtoassumethatitwastakenupbytheEssenes,too.
163Wearegivenonelife,oneday,onepresenttime,oneconsciousspacetimeleveltoconcentrateonsothatNature'sbusinessinusshallnotbeinterferedwith.Yetotherlives,otherdays,othertimes,otherlevelsofconsciousnessalreadyexistjustasmuchatthisverymoment,eventhoughwedonotapprehendthem,andawaitourmeetingandexperiencebyafatednecessity.
164IwasnotsurprisedwhenJungtoldmethathecouldnotaccepttheideaofreincarnationbutcouldaccepttheideaofkarma.
165Werepeattheseappearancesonearthinaconstantprocessandalongcycleoftime.Butcontrastitwiththebeginninglessnessandendlessnessoflifeitself.Whatisthisbutafractionofafractionofamoment?
166Cantheinvisibleinnerbeingmigrateatdeath,afterasuitableinterval,fromonebodytoanother?
167ReincarnationisnowoneofthemostromanticandabusedoftheOrient'scommonplaceideas.ItislikeaservantstruttingintheelegantclothesofaCountess.
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168Ifwebelievethatourpersonallifehasnomoresignificancethanarippleonthesurfaceoftheocean,itiseitherbecauseweareblindedbymaterialismorbecauseweareblindtotheultimatesecretsofhumanpersonality.
169Thebeliefinreincarnationisnotsofoolishasitseemstosomepeople:thereisreasonablefoundationforit.
170Todescendintothebody,toreincarnateinthefleshisitselfakindofcrucifixion.Notethattheheadandtrunkarerightangledbytherightandleftarmsformingacross.Thisissymbolicpartlyofthelossofhigherconsciousnesswhichthisdescententailsandpartlyofthepainsandmiserieswhichappearintermittentlyduringembodiment.
171FrommyunderstandingoftheteachingsoftheBuddha,themanwhohasannihilatedtheillusionofapersonalselfandwhohasbroughthismindundercompletecontrolwillnotberebornagainsthiswill,eventhoughheshouldindulgeinsuchnonBuddhisticpracticesaswearingleathershoesandeatingcheese.
172WhenamanhasestablishedhimselfintheUniversalself,intheawarenessofitsoneness,theseriesofearthlyreincarnationsofhispersonalselfcomestoanend.Forhimself,theywouldservenofurtherpurpose.
173Bringingrebirthtoanendhastwoesotericmeanings:(a)TheArhatisfreefromignorance.(b)Eventhoughheisrebornphysicallyinordertohelpothers,still,asheenjoystheawarenessofAtman,whichheknowstobedeathlessandunborn,hedoesnotlookathimselfasbeingreborn.
174Itiswelltorealizethatbeliefinreincarnation,orrebirth,isnotthesoledeterminingconsiderationofouractivities,asitisamongmanyinstitutionalizedapproachestoTruthintheOrient.
175TheChristianChurchwantedtoemphasizeitsdoctrinethatthenewlydisincarnatedsoulwentstraighttoheavenorhell.Thisisonereasonwhythebeliefinrebirthwaslaterstampedwiththemarkofheresy.Anotheristhatitcontradictedtheteachingoftheresurrectionofthebody.
176IoftenwonderedinthepastwhyitisthatthelandofBritainwhich,nearlytwothousandyearsearlier,acceptedandvaluedthedoctrineofreincarnationandthereforelookedondeathasanintervalbetweentwoearthlives,shouldhavesofarforgottenitsformerallegianceastodwellintheduskbetweenthenarrowlimitationsofsingleembodimentbeliefandthehopelessoutlookofagnosticismoratheism.Itispleasanttowelcomethecontemporaryrevivalofinterest,inmanycases,andacceptanceinothers,whererebirthisdiscussed.
177SomewhereinShakespearethereisthatphraseaboutourhuman"exitsandentrances"which,withitsreversalofthenaturalorderofbirthanddeath,Itaketomeanourreincarnation.
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178In1938SomersetMaughamwrote,inTheSummingUp,afairreferencetothetheoryofreincarnationbutendeditbysayinghefounditincredible.In1944hereferredagaintothesametheoryandfoundit"theonlyplausibleexplanationfortheexistenceofevil,"althoughbeyondhumanverification.
179Ifallthoseprominentpersonswhoholdthisbeliefinrebirthweretocomeforwardandboldlyproclaimit,andifallthoseProtestantministersofreligionandCatholicpriestsorbishopswhoholditsecretlyweretoconfess,theworldwouldbeastonished.
180Wegliblyusethetermreincarnationwhen,undercertainconditions,thetermmetamorphosisismorepertinent.
181Ifasharpintellectshutsthedooronallauthoritiesexceptone,ithasonlyitsownfoolishnesstothankwhenitshutstruthoutwithitsaction.Sokeen,witty,andlogicalamindasSaintAugustine'sbrusquelyrejectedthedoctrineofthehumanentity'ssuccessivereincarnationsonearth.Yet,inthesamebook,TheCityofGod,heunhesitatinglyacceptsthecomputationthattheageofthehumanraceislessthansixthousandyears.HebaseshisreckoningonnothingmorethanthepettytribalhistoriescontainedintheOldTestament.Herejects,too,thegrandconceptionofthepaganthinkerswhoprecededhim,thattheworldhaspassedthroughcountlesscyclesandconsistsofaninfinitenumberofworlds.
182Thedoctrineoftransmigrationofsoulsintoanimalformswasgivenoutfor,andledtothesameeffectsas,thedoctrineofafterdeathpunishmentinhell.TimaeusLocrius,theteacherofPlato,saidasmuchandobservedthat"ifthemindwillnotbeledbytruereasoning,werestrainitbyfalse."TheBuddhistandChristianpictureofthesoulsofmurderersbeingburntinthefiresoftheunderworldservesthesamewarninganddisciplinarypurposeastheHindupictureofthosesoulsincarnatingintothebodiesofwildbeasts.Transmigrationofthiskindisnottobetakenliterally.Brahminpriestswhoteachitpubliclydonot,iftheyarealsoinitiatesinphilosophy,believeitprivately.Itistheexception,nottherule,andopposedtotheevolutionarycourseofNature.
183Anotherresultofafullcomprehensionofmentalismisthatitmakespossibleachangeofattitudetowardsthedoctrineofreincarnation.Thosewhorejectthisdoctrinebecausetheyarenotinterestedinanypastorfuturepersonwhoisnotcompletelyidenticalwiththeirpresentperson,donotperceivethatthislackofinterestarisesoutoftheirtotalselfidentificationwiththephysicalbody.Theyregardittobethereal"I."Butthisisuttermaterialism.Fortheydonotseethatthemental"I"ismorereallytheirselfthanthefleshlyone.Mentalismcanhelpgreatlytorectifytheirerror.
184Ifthedoctrinedidnothingmoreinitspracticaleffectsthaninspireitsbelieverswithasenseoflife'scontinuityandimpressthemwithawarningofpersonalresponsibilityfortheirfortunes,itwouldhavedoneenough.
185Wemaybesurprisedthatsomanyintelligentpeoplerefusetobelieveinreincarnationandkarma,eventhoughtheycannotexplainGod'sjusticewithoutthem.Thetruthisthattheyaredefectiveinintuitionanddependentonintellectandemotion.Butemotionandintellectalonearetoolimitedasinstrumentsforfindingtruth.
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186Whateverweconstantlyconcentrateonprovidesoneofthefactorsinreincarnation.Ifwelovearaceoranindividualstronglyenough,weshallsoonerorlaternecessarilybedrawnintotheirorbitwhenreincarnating.Itisequallytrue,however,thatifwehatearaceoranindividualstronglyenoughweshallhavethesameexperience.Bothloveandhateareformsofconcentratedthought.Thenatureofconcentration,whetheritbethatoflikeordislike,attractionorrepulsion,doesnotalteritsstrength.
187Thetransmigrationofsoulsfromhumantoanimalbodiesisafiction.Theindividualconsciousnesswhichhasoneormorespecificallyhumanattributes,cannotbebroughtnaturallyintothebrainandnervoussystemofanycreaturewhichhasonlyanimalattributes.Thatmillionsofpeoplestillbelieveinitspossibilitymerelyshowshowwidespreadissuperstition.
188ThepopularHindutheoryofthetransmigrationofsoulsisnotquitethesameasthephilosophictheoryoftheevolutionofsouls.Accordingtothefirst,amanmayonceagainbecomeananimaloratreeaccordingtothesecond,thisisnotpartoftheordinaryprocessesofNature.Manysuperstitions,however,hidesometruthamongtheirnonsense,andthisisoneofthem.JustaseverybiologistknowsthatNaturesometimesproducesfreaks,andeveryphysicianknowsthatmonstrositiesaresometimesbornintothehumanrace,sotherearecaseswhereaderangedmindfranticallythirstingforaphysicalbodyafterthelossofitspresentonemaysucceedindrivingouttheinnerbeingofananimalformandtakingpossessionofit.Ifthismindisalsoveryevilaswellasderanged,itwillutilizethatformtoterrorizeahumancommunity.ButsuchhappeningsarebreakawaysfromtheordinaryprocessesofNatureand,therefore,uncommon.Thepenaltyforsuchunnaturaltransmigrationisinsanity,whichisthepricewhichwillhavetobepaidinthenexthumanbirth.Theegowillthenbetiedtoabodywhichitwillbeunabletouse,yetunabletoescapefrom.
189Whatevertheworldlyandphysicalexperiencesofamanmaybe,howevermaterialistichismentalattitudeandpersonalfeelingsmaybecome,hisessencebeingremainsuntouchedandunpolluted.Buthislinkwithitisanothermatter.Ifhefallstoolowthislinkmaybesothinnedthatheisthrownbackintoananimalbodyinhisnextbirth,tomakeanotherattemptatnormalprogressionintothehumancondition.
190Itissomethingrare,abnormal,andexceptional,butnotimpossible,forahumanbeingtobeputbackinananimalbody.Thenitbecomesanimprisonmentforonelifetime,andassuchapunishment.
191HadthetenetofrebirthnotbeenrejectedfromofficialChristiandoctrinebutincorporatedintoit,EuropeanandAmericanhistorywouldhavemovedtoaslowertempoandWesternmaterialachievementwouldhavereachedalowerheight.
192SeveraloftheearlyChurchFatherstaughtthedoctrineofreincarnation.Origenevencallsita"generalopinion."JustinMartyrdeclaresthatthesoulinhabitsahumanbodymorethanonce,andClementofAlexandriaassertsitwassanctionedbyPaulinRomans5:12,14,and19.Despitethis,theCouncilofNiceapronounceditaheresyin325a.d.,theCouncilofChalcedoncondemneditinthesamecentury,andfinallyinthereignofJustinianattheCouncilofConstantinoplein551553a.d.,itwasagainrepudiatedandits
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supportersanathematized.TherewasnoroomforitalongwiththerestofCatholictheologyandespeciallywiththeteachingsonredemptionandpurgatory.Thereisnoroomforboththedoctrineofreincarnationandthedoctrineofeverlastingtormentinpurgatoryoneortheothermustgo.Sothefirstwasbrandedaheresyanditsbelieverswereexcommunicatedorpersecuted.Thesecondreasonforopposingitwasthat,thedoctrineofAtonementwasbroughtinlittlebylittleuntilitdisplacedthedoctrineofmetempsychosis,asitwasintendedtodo.Thesetwoalsocouldnotexistsidebyside,foronecontradictedthetruthoftheother.ThethirdreasonwasthatinthecontentionsforsupremacyamongthevariousChristiansects,thosewhichlateraroseinGreekandRomanpeoplestriumphedoverthosewhichexistedearlieramongOrientaloneswhobelievedinreincarnation,asmostOrientalsdoeventoday.
193ThecommoninterpretationoftheBiblicalsentence,"Dustthouart,andtodustthoushaltreturn,"wasinterpretedbytheJewishmedievalKabbalistsandbyinitiatedRabbisofantiquityasreferringtoreincarnation.
194GreekswhobelievedstronglyintheideaofrebirthwerenotonlytheinitiatesoftheOrphicMysteries,butalsoamongthemostcelebratedthinkers,especiallyPlato.
195SomeupperrankmembersoftheCatholichierarchywhoprivatelybelievedbutpubliclyrejectedthetenetofreincarnationgaveme,astheprincipalobjectionamongafewothers,thatitallowedtoolongatimeforpeopleeithertoworkforsalvationorreceivepunishmentforsins.
196Thereissomethingawesomeinthethoughtthatbirthanddeathwithinthehumanspecieshavebeengoingonformillionsandmillionsofyears.Todayweseetheoutcomeofallthisvastlineofexperience.
197Buddhatriedtogethisfollowerstoabandonthewilltolive,buthedidnottrytogetthemtocommitsuicideofthephysicalbodyrathertokilloutthecravingsanddesireswhichtiedthemtoreincarnationandledtotheirreturntothatbody.
198Ifdeathissomuchafeatureofthedivinearrangementsintheuniverse,wemustacceptthatthedivinewisdomisnotfaultedhereandthat,likethephoenix,outofthedeathofeverycreatureshallariseanewone,anewform,apparentlyanewlife.
199Tocarrytheburdensofexistenceinonebodyafteranotherthroughalongseriesmayseemanunpleasantprospecttosomeminds,asitdidtoGautamainIndiaandSchopenhauerinGermany.
200Certainreligiousbeliefshavecomequiteclosetotheideaofrebirthbutatthecrucialpointhavegoneoffatawidetangentandmissedthetruthaltogether.Onebeliefleadstotheexpectationofaphysicalresurrectionofthedeadtheothertothepracticeofaphysicalpreservationofthedead,asinmummification.
201Toassertthattimedoesnotreturnonitself,thathistorydoesnotrepeatitsstory,istoshowanignoranceofthefactofhumanreembodiments.
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202Itisnotoftenworthallthetroublesandpainsofbeingbornandenduringallitsconsequences,evenallowingforthepleasantinterludes.Buddhawouldcertainlynotagreewithanyoptimistaboutthismatter.
203InthelengthywritingsofthefathersoftheearlyChristianChurch,wecanfindapprovalofbeliefinthedoctrineofreincarnationexpressedbySaintMethodius,Origen,Synesius,andPamphilius.
204Eachcomestothefrontofthestage,playsouthisallottedrole,andmovesaway.Shakespeare'spicturesquestatementofthehumanpredicamentcomestolargermeaningwheninterpretedintermsofrebirthinseries.Allmankindbecomeacompanyofactors,appearinginplayafterplay,eachstorydifferent,eachpartactedinanewbody.
205TheperiodicreturntoearthlifewasabeliefsharedbypoetslikeGoethe,Shelley,andBrowning,bythinkerslikePlato,Schopenhauer,andSwedenborg.
206Hasthecelebratedthinker,theVeryRev.Dr.W.R.Inge,becomeanadherentoftheHindudoctrineofthereincarnation?ThisisthequestionaskedfollowinghisconfessioninaLondonnewspaperarticleinMarch,1944,thathebelievesthereisan"elementoftruth"inthistheoryofpersonalitycommontotheIndianmassesandmysticsofallcountries.
DeclaringthattheerrorofWesterncivilizationincrisisliesinawrongideaofthehumanpersonality,hesaysthatthetruthisexpressedinthe"mostfamousIndianpoem"whichsays,"Neverthespiritwasbornthespiritshallneverceasetobebirthlessandchangelessanddeathless,thespiritabidethforeverdeathcannottouchitatall,deaththoughthehouseofitseems."
Thismeans,hesays,thatimmortalityisnotastringwithonlyoneend,whichisdifficulttobelieve.Withinthetimeseries,thatwhichhasnoendcanhavehadnobeginning."TheIndiansandGreeks,bothconvincedofsurvivalandpreexistence,standorfalltogether."
Dr.Ingeconsiderstheabsenceofmemorynofatalobjectionfortheremaybeunconsciousmemory."Whotaughtthechickentogetoutofitsegg?Icannottell,butthereisnomysteryaboutallthis.
DefendinghimselfagainstthecriticismthatadignitaryoftheAnglicanChurchhasnobusinesstodabbleinsuch"heathenbeliefs,"Dr.IngedeclaresthatrebirthisnotalientoChristianthoughtandassertsthatitisimpliedinmanytexts."
ComingfromoneoftheintellectualleadersoftheEnglishChurchandaformerDeanofSaintPaul'sCathedral,theforegoingadmissionisofoutstandinghistoricalimportance.ThedoctrinemustnowbeconsideredworthseriousdiscussionbyallWesterneducatedpersonsandnolongerlefttoafewqueerdreamersassomethingbizarreandexotic.Itsincreasingacceptancewillalsobeatriumphovermaterialism.Rebirthidentifiesamanmorewithhismindthanwithhisbody.Itthusaccordsperfectlywithmentalism.
207GurdjieffandhisonetimediscipleOuspenskyrevivedthedoctrineofEternalRecurrenceandputitforwardasabetteralternativetothedoctrineofReincarnation.IfweexaminethehistoricTibetanBuddhistsymbolcalled"TheWheelofLife,"weseepicturesof
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humanbeingsbeingmovedthroughcontrastingphasesofexperienceasthewheelturnsround.Butafteritcomesfullcircletheyaresubjectedtoexactlythesameconditions,thesamephasesasbefore.ItispertinenttorememberthatGurdjiefflearntaboutEternalRecurrenceinaBuddhistmonasteryinCentralAsia,wherethesameversionofBuddhismprevailsasinTibet.Itisalsopertinenttorememberthemonotonousmovementoflifeforthesomewhatprimitiveinhabitantsofthatwildregionforcenturiesuntilverylately.Thepatternoftheirexistencerecurredagainandagaininthesameway.Whatmorefittingintheirbeliefsthanthattheirrebirthswouldbesimilartoo?
208Bydifferentturnsinthecourseofhismentalexistencehetakesdifferentbodies.WidespreadinAsiafromtheearliesttimes,acceptedbymanyofthethinkersinancientGreeceandRome,bytheDruidpriestsofBritainandtheDacianpriestsoftheBalkans,thetheoryofreincarnationhasbeenbothknownandfavoured.
209IntheBuddhistsymbolismthewheelofliferollson,draggingmanwitheachcompleteturnthroughanotherreincarnation.Againandagainhegoesthroughthesameexperiencesuntilhegetswornoutandtiresofthemandseeksreleasefrombeingtiedtothewheel,thereleasewhichiscalledNirvana.
ReincarnationandtheOverself
210Wehavetobecomeinactualitywhatweareinpotentialityallourrebirthsareengagedinthisprocess.
211Whetherweconfrontthemysterycalleddeathortheequalmysterycalledlife,therevelationmustcomeinoneortheotherstate:thereisaconnectionwithHEWHOIS.ForthisarewebornandouroscillationbetweenthetwohappensattheMindoftheWorld'sbehest.As,sosleepilyandunwittingly,weshapeandlightupthesefragmentsofbeingthatweare,quitesimplytheconnectiongetsuncoveredmoreandmore.
212UntilhefindshisOverself,nomancanescapethiscomingbacktotheearthlylife.Andthisremainstruewhetherhelovestheworldorisdisgustedbyit.
213Thelotusflowerofthesoulunfoldsbutslowlythroughmanybirths,yetitiscertainandsure.Thisisindeedbetterthanthemerestuffingofthebrainwithlearnedlumberthathastobeabandonedwitheachdeath.
214Wecomebacktothisearthofoursandnottosomeotherearthbecauseitisherethatwesowtheseedsofthought,offeeling,andofaction,andthereforeitisherethatwemustreaptheirharvest.Natureisorderlyandjust,consistentandcontinuous.
215Patience,littlemen,thereisnopossibilityofyourmissingsalvation.Whatifyouhavetowaitthroughanumberofreincarnations!Youcannotlosethiswidestretchedgame,playedallovertheplanet,foryoucannotloseyourinnermostbeing.TheCovenantwithyourCreatorhasbeenmadeandmustbefulfilledintheend,howeverdubioustheprospectseemstoday.
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216Weneedmorelifetimesandplentyofthemevenhalfahundredwouldnotbeenoughtodotheworkuponselfwhichhasbeenassignedusasourhighestduty.Thisiswhyreincarnationisafact,andnotafable.
217Hopecomestohimfromthisbenevolentsource,evildepartsfromhimashedrawsonthesehigherenergiesfordefense,andetherealpurposesurroundshisentirelifelikeanaura.Heknowsthathishistorydidnotbegininthecountrywherehewasborn.Heknowsthatitwillnotendinthebodyinwhichhedies.
218Thepassagefromquesttoconquestwouldbeimpossibleformosthumansiftheyhadonlyonelifetolive,onebodyforthestartandthefinish.
219TherecanbenoSecondComingofChristtheConsciousnessforitneverwentaway.TherecanbeareturnofJesusthemanembodyingandreflectingthatConsciousnessforthepersonmaybebornandrebornasGodwills.
220TheLongPathideaofreincarnationisillusory.TheShortPathideaofitisthatitisanundulatorywave,aripple,amovementupwardonwardanddownward.Sincethereisnoegoinreality,therecanbenorebirthofit.Butwedohavetheappearanceofarebirth.Notethatthisappliestoboththemindandbodypartofego:theyarelikeabubblefloatingonastreamandthenvanishingorlikeaknotwhichisuntiedandthenvanishestoo.Wehavetoacceptthepresenceofthispseudoentity,theegothismentalthingbornofmanymanyearthlivessolongaswehavetodwellinthatothermentalthing,thebody.Butwedonothavetoacceptitsdominancewedonothavetoperpetuateitsrule,forallisintheMind.Wherethenarethereincarnatoryexperiences?Appearanceswhichwerelikecinemashows.Theyhappenedinatimeandspacewhichwereinthemind.Theindividualwhoemergedlosttheindividualityandmergedinthetimelessnessofeternity.ThisistheunchangingindestructibleConsciousness,theOverself.
221Areallthevariedjoysandsufferingsundergoneonlytocometoacompleteendindeath?Isallthevastintelligenceofthisuniversewhichgavebirthtoourownminutefragmenttobeforeverseparatedfromus?No!Weshallliveagain,dieagain,andreturnagainunlessanduntilwehavefulfilledthedivinepurposewhichbroughtushere.
222Ifithadbeenpossibletoattainsalvationinthenonphysicalworlds,wewouldnothavebeenborninthisone.Weareherebecausenowhereelsecouldwe,inourpresentstateofprogress,findtherightenvironmenttoripenthosequalitieswhichwillleadusfurthertowardthisultimategoal.
223Theeventualtrendofevolutionisthroughandawayfrompersonality,aswenowknowit.Weshallfindourselvesafreshinahigherindividuality,thesoul.Toachievethis,thelowercharacteristicshaveslowlytobeshed.Inthissense,wedodietotheearthlyselfandarebornagaininthehigherself.Thatistheonlyrealdeathawaitingus.
224Thepossessionofmoralvalues,metaphysicalcapacities,andspirituallyintuitivequalitieswhichdistinguishmoreevolvedfromlessevolvedmentakestimetoacquiresomuchtimethatreincarnationmustbeacontinuousprocess.
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225Ifitweretruethatabadmanmustalwaysremainbad,wherewouldthehopebeformankind?ButintheperfectwisdomoftheInfiniteMind,humanlivesaresoarrangedthatthebadmanwillgoongarneringtheuntowardresultsofhisdeedsuntilhismind,firstsubconsciouslybutlaterconsciously,perceivesthelogicalandcausalconnectionbetweenhisactandhissufferingandbeginstheattempttocontrolhiseviltendencies.Boththiseducationandthiseffortwillcontinuethroughmanybirthsforasingleonewouldbetooshortintime,toopoorinopportunity,forsuchatotalreformationtobeachieved.
226Eventhosewhoarewellintentionedandspirituallymindedmakemanymistakesinlifesimplybecausetheycannotseetheunfortunateresultstowhichtheirwrongdecisionsandactionsmustnecessarilylead.Onlyexperiencecanleadtotheircorrectionandonlyreincarnationcangiveenoughexperience.
227Whatishappeningtohischaracteristics,whatheislearningfromexperienceliesinmoreorlessdegreebelowthethresholdofconsciousness.Onlytime,withitsrepetitions,andthought,withitsconclusions,willshiftthelessonorabilityintovisiblemanifestationabovethethreshold.
228Lifeinthefleshisagiftifweareusingitrightlybutitbecomesacurseifwearenot.EveryincarnationshouldbeusedtohelponegetsomewhatfartherindoingthisjobofachievinganOverselfinspiredexistence.
229Thedifferencebetweensavageandsagemaybeonlytwolettersinspelledwordsbutitmaybetwothousandincarnationsinhistoricmeaning.
230Whatevermistakestheaspiranthascommittedinthepastandwhateverresultsfromthemheissufferinginthepresent,heshouldlooktothefuturewithsomehopeandneverletitdeserthim,forevenifthathopecannotberealizedinthepresentincarnationitmaybeinthenext.Timeispassing,wecomeandwego,andintheendtimeisillusory,butweremain:thebestinusremains,therestwillgo.
231Thechangesofpersonalidentityundertheprocessofreincarnationaloneshowthatthelittleego'simmortalityisareligiousillusion.Onlybyfindingitshigherindividualityisthereanychanceofpreservinganyidentityatall,beforeNaturereabsorbswhatithasspawned.
232Plant,animal,andhumanbodiespassthroughthiscycleofgrowth,maturity,decayanddeath.Allthismeansbeingexposedtodifferentforces,differentexperiences,resultinginthedevelopmentofconsciousness.
233TobecomeManasevolutionintendshimtobe,hemustdrawoutallhislatentresources,filloutawideexperience.Thisiswhysomanyreincarnationsonearthareneeded.Untilthen,hisrealizationasManwillbeanincompleteone.
234Inthestrictestmeaningoftheterm,nomancangiveuphimself,fornomancangiveup
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hisinnermostbeing.Butwhatisreallymeantbythetermandwhateverymancouldgiveupisthefalsesenseofselfwhichmakeshimthinkthatheisonlytheegooronlythebody.
235There,inthisnecessityofdeveloping,balancing,andcoordinatingallthepartsofone'sbeing,isafurtherargumentforthenecessityofreincarnation.Asinglelifetimeistooshortaperiodinwhichtofulfilsuchatask.
236Theripewisdomofasagecouldnotpossiblybethefruitofasinglelifetime,butonlyofmanylifetimes.
237Theexperiencesoflifewillintheendovercometheseinnerresistances.Thesilentinstructionmultipliedduringthereembodimentswilldefeatthepsychologicaldefensemechanismssetupagainstunpalatabletruthsornewideas.Itistherepetitionanddeepeningofalltheselessonsthroughtheaccumulatingrebirthsthatenableswisdomtopenetrateconsciousnesscompletelyandeffectively.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.