Spiritually Speaking: Why Not Reincarnation?

By Marcia Bender

Thirty years ago I wrote a book titled Why Not Reincarnation? It has never been published. In defense of its “unpublished” status, I remind you that 30 years ago humanity was still in the “dark ages” of metaphysical development. That, combined with the decision to not “self publish,” has kept this manuscript in a pile of undiscovered material. I am not discouraged; however, and I continue to be committed to the study of reincarnation. As the years pass by, I continue to be more and more convinced that it is the only logical reason for the soul’s existence. I ask you to approach this column with an open mind and to ponder the question, “Why not reincarnation?”

Do we experience more than one lifetime?

Do we interact with the same people, lifetime after lifetime? Does the “soul” continue to exist even after the physical body ceases to function? Do we “choose” the lifetime that we are experiencing and the people with whom we experience it?

I would like to begin by sharing a quotation from Emmanuel’s Book. It was first published in 1985, and there have been two sequels, all of which would be welcome additions to the libraries of those on spiritual quests. Emmanuel is a Spirit Guide (a future topic for this column) of human Pat Rodegast. She goes into a trance state and Emmanuel speaks through her.

When asked about the why and wherefore of reincarnation and karma, Emmanuel answered:

“The entire world is an illusion spinning nicely through space even though it does wobble a bit. You accept the illusion because you’re good students and you promised to come and to learn. You promised to remain here in the illusion, believing the illusion, until what you have come to accomplish has been done.

“Then you can release it. Now, what do I mean by that? I mean that you have all signed a contract before you agreed to be born again that said, ‘Yes. I will enter this game and I will agree to abide by all the rules.’ That is necessary.

“You know how difficult it is to learn in even a human physical classroom when you have refused to believe that the teacher is the teacher, and that the blackboard is there to be written upon, and that what you are being taught has value. So I am here not to promote rebellion but to assure you that what you are studying is necessary. And yet, that the whole thing is only a temporal illusion, that your greater portion exists here in the world of Light and Truth. And that you will come Home.

“You will come Home. I promise you.”

It is not necessary, nor possible, for all humans to accept the theory of reincarnation.

Much of the ability to accept would depend on the “limits” we set for ourselves upon consciousness and upon the idea that there is within a human some spiritual essence or “soul” that can somehow survive the death of the physical body. I have spent over 35 years in the study of things that we cannot explain with the physical senses—that which we can see, touch, taste, smell, and hear—seeking for answers to questions that are seemingly unanswerable and I have concluded, for myself at least, that a human being is more than just a physical thing! I believe that the essential self, the soul, of a human survives physical death. Please remember that I do not ask you to accept my beliefs as your own beliefs. I only ask you to consider some of the insights developed from years of personal searching for answers.

Webster’s defines reincarnation as: I. rebirth (of the soul) in another body. 2. a new incarnation. 3. the doctrine that the soul reappears after death in another and different bodily form.

The idea of reincarnation did not originate in the teachings of the “new age.” The question of immortality has been on the minds of humans since the beginning of time, as we know it, and beyond. Most religions have taught some form of survival beyond physical death. What reincarnation adds is the idea of life before birth, as in birth, death, rebirth.

Reincarnation has been a basic part of Judeo-Christian doctrine, as well as a basic part of ancient religions that pre-date Judeo-Christian doctrine. It was only a handful of powerful churchmen who overruled these teachings in order to gain complete power for themselves. Even today, all Rabbinical and Seminary students have Kabbalah in their course of study. The question of reincarnation has also been in the minds of highly intellectual and educated physicians, theologians, astrophysicists, and others considered more a part of the “scientific community” than the “metaphysical community.”

Death is an inevitable part of living. Everything that is born must someday die. I was raised a Reform Jew and have always had a belief in a Higher Power, that which I call God. As a younger person, I found it hard to believe that God could create a human, something so perfect and imperfect at the same time, give it years of learning, living, loving, experiencing, and at the time of death, take that being and completely end its existence.

Long before my in-depth spiritual study began, I instinctively knew that the “soul,” that which is the very core of the human, continues to function after the physical body ceases to function. Years of studies have only convinced me that my youthful beliefs were correct! I have no concrete “proof” of reincarnation. I am not trying to persuade you to accept the validity of reincarnation. I simply ask you to consider it.

Think of how differently we would live our lives if we knew that we were going to come back, in a future lifetime or lifetimes, to continue to learn lessons that we failed to learn in former lifetimes.

This process, of course, brings us to karma. “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. The Law of Cause and Effect advises us to be careful what we cause and consider its effect, not only on others, but on our own future incarnations!

There are many who would like to believe in reincarnation and many who will declare that they do NOT wish to return to a physical body ever again. I have even met those who have told me that they are convinced that they have learned all of the lessons of their soul and will no longer be required to reincarnate into physical body again. I have not yet met anyone who I believe has completed the reincarnation process. As Emanuel says, “School is not out yet.”

And remember, Knowledge is the greatest power, so walk in the Light.

Marcia began her career as a school teacher, working with preschool through inner city high school students. She has worked with all aspects of Metaphysics for over 40 years and specializes in Tarot and Numerology. Marcia’s clients and students are in every state and throughout Europe. Marcia has taught over 400 students to “read” the Tarot for the purpose of self-guidance and to use the powerful symbolism of the Tarot to reach higher levels of spirituality. Her column, Spiritually Speaking, originally ran for 8 years in Attitudes Magazine in the Sarasota area. Email marlou2000@aol.com

This entry was posted in Enlightenment. Bookmark the permalink.