The MYSTERY of REINCARNATION

The question of reincarnation is a difficult one for the western mind. Both east and west meet in the idea that this physical form consists of a single, conscious entity having relatively total levearage over it's souls eventual fate. From there they diverge, beggining in the east with pratitya samutpadha, the law of cause and effect, and the occidental view of each being comprising a distinct, independant creation.

The west also harbors the notion of absolution, meaning that one may regardless of accrued sin may be released of spiritual debt by petitioning God, and become entitled to an equal ultimate reward as other adherents, regardless of relative sins.

By our own empiricism we have managed terms like 'old soul'. Yet there is more at stake, making an accurate hallmark of spiritual progress important to many people. There is the concept of the Avatar, the divine soul inhabiting human form: does this sound at all like the popular conception of Jesus? Or Krishna, incarnation of Vishnu? Or Methratton, the messiah-soul of Jewish Kabbalists?

What is the criteria of spiritual evolution? How is one determined to be of high birth? Intelligence, patience, eloquence, emotion, empathy? The fortunes of birth, of birthplace? Do souls evolve en masse, as part of a family bloodline, a nation or a race? Are you reborn relatively close to your place of death, or do you criss-cross the globe, or the 56 Hindu worlds?

There are twice as many answers as there are questions. But mysteries can be rewarding. A supposition of reincarnation involves consideration of your life's behaviour, and for most of us that means a lot of work. It suggests a need to treat other beings with great care and compassion. It removes the fear of death. It also eliminates the sting of birthright, destroying the limitations of class.

I have always loved the Tibetan description of death. They postulate that at the point of expiration the body explodes like a star gone nova. Slowly, the peices resettle and as a virtual form travel through the various worlds and stages into the next life. This takes a few days, and does not begin before everything that dead soul knew has been touched by it.

The Mahanirvana Tantra explains paradoxially that while creation is eternal,"Even those who are the cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of the world disappear in time, for time is more strong than they."