Why Reincarnation Is Not Always Comforting — Are We Our Own Teacher in a Living Video Game?
The concept of reincarnation is a belief that an individual’s soul is reborn into a new body after death. While many claim there is no scientific proof of reincarnation, many also cite the innumerable reported cases of individuals who claim to remember their past lives, with phenomenal and specific detail, which are often cited as evidence for the phenomenon. Some say these cases are anecdotal and cannot be scientifically verified, others believe the facts speak for themselves.
Some researchers have studied cases of children who claim to remember their past lives and have collected detailed information about their previous identities that they could not have known through normal means. For example, the late Dr. Ian Stevenson, a psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Virginia, spent several decades investigating such cases and documented over 2,500 cases of children who claimed to remember past lives. His research was published in books such as “Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation” and “Children Who Remember Previous Lives.”
However, while these cases provide interesting anecdotes and insights, skeptical scientists say they do not constitute scientific proof of reincarnation. Skeptics expound there are many alternative explanations for these memories, such as cryptomnesia (unconscious memory of past events), confabulation (unintentional fabrication of memories), or suggestion (when a child’s beliefs are influenced by adults around them).
The story of James Leininger and his reported memories of a past life has been the subject of media attention and debate among researchers interested in reincarnation. According to reports, James Leininger was a young boy who claimed to remember being a World War II pilot named James Huston, Jr. who was shot down and killed during a battle over the Pacific Ocean.
James Leininger’s parents claimed that their son began exhibiting unusual behavior and having nightmares about being a plane pilot at the age of two. They later discovered that there was a real World War II pilot named James Huston, Jr., who had died in the manner that their son described. James Leininger also reportedly had a number of other details about Huston’s life that he could not have known through normal means.
While the Leininger case has been cited by some researchers as evidence of reincarnation, others have criticized the methodology and interpretation of the case. Some have suggested that James Leininger may have been influenced by suggestive comments from his parents or others, or that his memories could be the result of cryptomnesia or other psychological phenomena.
It is worth noting that claims of reincarnation, especially those involving young children, are often difficult to verify and subject to a range of interpretations.
The case of James Leininger is intriguing and raises powerful and interesting questions about the nature of consciousness and memory, and some believe it is considered conclusive proof of reincarnation.
Was Anne Frank was reincarnated?
The idea that Anne Frank reincarnated as a girl named Barbro Karlen, who wrote a book called “Anne Frank’s Hidden Diary” claiming to remember her past life as Anne Frank, has been widely argued in both directions of truth or fabrication by scholars and experts.
Many of the details in Karlen’s book have been found to be amazingly historically accurate, while others are inaccurate or inconsistent with the known facts of Anne Frank’s life.
I encourage you to read the books and articles and watch the interviews about Barbro Karlen and James Leininger and educate yourself in either direction of belief or disbelief.
It is important to remember that Anne Frank was a real person who suffered and died during the Holocaust. We should honor her memory and legacy by learning about her life and the lessons we can draw from it, such as the importance of tolerance, respect, and compassion for all people.
Robert L. Snow was an American police officer and author who served in the Indianapolis Police Department for 38 years before retiring as a captain in 2007. He was also known for his interest in the paranormal and his belief in reincarnation.
Snow wrote several books on paranormal topics, including “Looking for Carroll Beckwith: The True Stories of a Detective’s Search for His Past Life,” which chronicled his investigation into his own supposed past life as an artist named Carroll Beckwith.
According to Snow, he began experiencing vivid dreams and visions of a life as Beckwith, including memories of painting, traveling, and socializing with other artists in the late 19th century. He began to investigate his memories and eventually discovered several striking similarities between his supposed past life and the actual life of Carroll Beckwith, including shared experiences, places, and relationships.
Snow’s investigation into his past life drew national attention and sparked debates among believers and skeptics of reincarnation. Some critics argued that Snow’s supposed memories could be explained by imagination, suggestion, or coincidence, while others praised his bravery and openness in exploring the possibility of past lives and stood by that his collection of evidence was overwhelming and true.
Despite the controversy surrounding his claims, Snow remained a respected member of the Indianapolis Police Department and continued to write and speak about paranormal topics until his death in 2018. His books and research continue to inspire discussions and debates about the nature of consciousness and the striking possibility of reincarnation.
While there are some interesting cases of individuals claiming to remember past lives, skeptics repeatedly say there is no scientific proof of reincarnation. For many in the West, the belief in reincarnation remains a matter of faith and personal belief. Which is it? We don’t have separate beliefs and laws about gravity based on which region of the Earth we happen to inhabit.
Reincarnation rises as the not-always-comforting belief that after death, the soul or spirit of an individual is reborn into a new body.
Halt. Living again is not comforting? Another chance at life and love?
Why? Answer: Because what if you do not want to live a similar life again, with similar problems, and encounter that parent or sibling, or adversary or frenemy or ex-spouse you can’t stand? Or much worse.
What if you are stuck in a near unbearable cycle of life-after-life?
Or what if you made a mistake in one life, and want to try again?
What if you want to team up again with the same people, or fall in love again with the same partner?
What if your mother is now your sister?
What if you reincarnate as a different skin color, a different race, a different sex?
We don’t all die at the same time. Thus it is logical, if reincarnation exists, we also do not reincarnate at the same time. The voyage of life is truly our own.
This concept is found in many cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and some Native American and African traditions. The belief is based on the idea that the soul is eternal and continues to exist after the death of the physical body, and that it can be reborn into a new body to continue its journey of growth and learning.
So… if you are stuck in a painful or unhappy cycle of life-after-life, what can you do?
Well, maybe you can fix it. Or maybe your soul likes the challenges and obstacles. Do we like easy games? Or are they more fun and interesting when there are challenges? Why do we climb mountains or play sports or choose difficult professions while we are alive?
A strong soul likes challenges. (If the soul exists.)
A weak soul will pick the easy way out every time, until it realizes it is stuck.
Think of a video game. You get to die and reset and try again and learn new paths and tricks and solutions. And some games are fun, some not so much. Is that basically repeated life?
In this game, there is no cheat-book, just experience.
The idea of reincarnation has been supported by some evidence, such as stories of individuals who claim to remember past lives and have been able to provide details about their supposed previous existence that could not be easily explained.
While there is supposedly no scientific proof of reincarnation, the concept has been an important part of many spiritual and religious traditions and has offered comfort and hope to many individuals seeking to understand the nature of life, death, and the soul.
Ultimately, it is up to each person to decide whether they believe in reincarnation or not. The belief in reincarnation has provided meaning and inspiration to many people throughout history, and continues to be an important part of many spiritual and philosophical traditions.
If reincarnation is not real — does it matter? Are accurate past memories of another life easily explained when the facts are truly examined and not dismissed wholesale or clumsily? There can be excuses for accurate past memories, but are these excuses valid or just spitballs?
If reincarnation is real — how would it change your life today? Would you live or behave differently? Would you try to reconnect with past loved ones and see if they are still alive or reincarnated today? Would it change your morals?
Would reincarnation change your overall picture of life, our place in the universe, and concepts of eternity or the classic phrases “Life’s too short” and “Seize the day”?
Would reincarnation change your feelings on the human experience and any meaning attached to it?
Challenges and obstacles and things we do not like teach us.
Are we our own teacher?
Please comment, further educate us, or share your opinions and stories.
