| The idea of reincarnation is not prevalent in the West. | | | | actions. This could be in this lifetime or in some future |
| However eastern spiritual traditions such as Buddhism | | | | incarnation. Similarly if we serve others and create |
| and Hinduism teach reincarnation as an integral part of | | | | happiness, the positive effect of these actions we will |
| life. To understand reincarnation is to give extra | | | | also receive in the future. The law of Karma is neatly |
| meaning to the mystery of life and death. | | | | summarised in the words of Jesus Christ "As you |
| From a spiritual perspective the essence of life is to | | | | sow, so shall you reap." However it is worth |
| make spiritual progress and realize the true nature of | | | | remembering that the law of Karma is complex. If you |
| your inner being. When we are aware of our real | | | | suffer it is not necessarily because of your bad karma; |
| nature we are liberated from the cycle of birth and | | | | it could just be the ignorance of the world. When |
| rebirth. This was the teaching of the Buddha and the | | | | Jesus Christ was crucified it was not because of his |
| early Vedic Seers. However to attain spiritual liberation; | | | | bad Karma but the ignorance of the world. Also it is |
| to realise the highest consciousness is no easy task. It | | | | possible that through invoking the Grace of the |
| involves transforming one nature from an egoist | | | | Supreme the adverse consequence of some karma |
| perspective to one where we lose identity of our own | | | | can be mitigated. However reincarnation means there |
| self and identify with the infinite vast. To make this | | | | is no hiding place for our actions. It is a powerful |
| jump may require many countless incarnations. If our | | | | reminder to live by the golden rule of spirituality. |
| aspiration is sincere and we have the guidance of a | | | | "Do unto others as you would have them do unto |
| real spiritual Master it may be possible to attain | | | | you." (2) |
| liberation in this current incarnation. But for many | | | | We reincarnate to gain different experiences. These |
| seekers there is only so much progress we can make | | | | experiences are assimilated by the soul and used in its |
| in one lifetime. Death and reincarnation provide us with | | | | spiritual journey. At one time we may be born rich and |
| an opportunity to continue our progress with renewed | | | | powerful, at another time we could be born poor. |
| energy and enthusiasm. In the present stage of human | | | | Because of reincarnation we are reminded that we |
| evolution death is necessary because at the end of 70 | | | | share a oneness with other people and other |
| - 80 years the body and mind is tired and we need to | | | | countries. We may think that our country and culture is |
| take a rest. | | | | far superior. But there is every chance we could take |
| "Right now death helps us in a sense; it allows us to | | | | incarnation in those countries that we look down upon. |
| take some rest. Then when we come back, we come | | | | George Bernard Shaw aptly noted that "Patriotism is |
| back with new hope, new light, new aspiration." (1) | | | | your conviction that this country is superior to all other |
| The concept of reincarnation is linked with the idea of | | | | countries because you were born in it.." Reincarnation |
| karma. Karma is a universal law of cause and effect. | | | | helps us to feel that we should take all countries as |
| The law of karma means that if we create suffering | | | | part of ourselves. |
| at some time we will experience the effects of these | | | | |