Many Mansions

       When I was seventeen a pen pal sent me the book, Many Mansions: The Edgar Cayce Story on Reincarnation by Gina Cerminara. This book opened my eyes to the reality of reincarnation as part of the Divine Plan for humanity. I tried to share this revelation with others, only to be met with incredulity by everyone I knew. Christians cannot accept this concept because it's not spelled out in the Bible, and non-Christians can't accept it because there is no scientific proof. 

    I am not setting out to prove the reality of reincarnation because there are many books and articles on that topic. But in the interest of Building Bridges of Oneness, I'd like to point out how a belief in reincarnation aids this goal. 

    I think most people disbelieve reincarnation because they don't remember any of their other lives. Some do remember at least their most recent past life, and many can return to past lives under hypnosis. There is a veil of forgetfulness that each soul passes through on their way to a new physical life. If I was to remember everything my soul has experienced prior to this life as Emily, it would be very difficult to focus on my current life lessons. However, knowing that I have lived before as both male and female, as a member of multiple races, religions, and cultures, helps me to recognize my oneness with all of humanity. 

    The soul's ability to reincarnate explains many of life's mysteries. Why are people born into so many different circumstances - some into poverty, some with a silver spoon in their mouths, some with a disability, some unattractive, and some beautiful? Each of our souls has experienced a myriad of circumstances, learning different lessons from each lifetime. For example, one person might be born blind because he caused another to lose his sight in a past life. The soul has chosen to be born blind, not as a punishment, but as a way of learning what it was like for the person he had harmed. There are no punishments from God. It is we, ourselves, who decide with guidance from more advanced souls, what we want to learn in each lifetime. 

     Some people who dismiss the concept of reincarnation think that it means they won't go to heaven when they die, but this is not the case. Our souls have a lot to learn on other planes of existence - maybe heavenly or maybe somewhere else in the infinite universe. We only return to earth when we decide it's what we need to do next.

    The age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" is answered by the realization that the "bad thing" is a lesson that person's soul needs to learn in this particular life. No one soul suffers more than it has chosen to. This might be easier to understand when you look at the horrible ways some people treat others. Then imagine what that person will need to learn in the next life. 

    The concept of reincarnation is difficult for many to believe. If you are a non-believer, please respect those who believe. There are many wonderful books and articles that support this concept, and I do believe that it demonstrates wonderfully the oneness of all humanity. Life after life, we relate to one another in different ways, learning how to love, challenge, and forgive one another as we grow together on the path to remembering who we truly are: divine brothers and sisters with God as our common parent.

For further reading: buddhaweekly.com/the-science-of-reincarnation/