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View Full Version : Reincarnation? If you believe it, can you prevent it?


cdeering05
Jul 17, 2010, 02:13 PM
I need to know if one can avoid reincarnation? I was raised in Catholic schools, have in time realized that religion is just another form of politics.A mans game to gain control and wealth. Surely not a loving, all forgiving Gods intention for humanity.Yes I know the Bible, and believe it is but one source of history, not a life guide, as too much has been omitted by mans choice, too much is left to simple interpretation. I believe it is a good source book but as we humans tend to all be very individually designed, nothing that is perfect for one of us will be perfect for the next in the same context. Strictly common sense. So, as I am exploring theories, and re-evaluating my own self, I want to look at everything out there and see if in outlining them, can I find my own truth. Which to me, is all that matters in the end. So, if there is truth in reincarnation, how would one avoid it?

Fr_Chuck
Jul 17, 2010, 05:57 PM
If it was true ( and its not of course) there would be no way to avoid it.

Kitkat22
Jul 17, 2010, 06:03 PM
Please don't believe that bull about reincarnation! You know what the truth is. Good luck

Oddboots
Jul 17, 2010, 10:00 PM
There are many truths.

Decide what you want to believe, not what others tell you.

Wondergirl
Jul 17, 2010, 10:25 PM
You would do well to read up on reincarnation for your own edification. Here's one site: A Basic Buddhism Guide: On Reincarnation (http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/reincarnation.htm)

Here's another: http://www.hinduwebsite.com/reincarnation.asp

If there is such a thing, no one can avoid it.

kp2171
Jul 17, 2010, 10:32 PM
If you Believe in something, as in if you accept (really accept) that it is the way life is or truth is or faith is... why would you try to avoid it?

So you could live an unfaithful or untruthful life and "get away with it?"

I don't think that is belief at all.

Clough
Jul 18, 2010, 12:32 AM
Hi, cdeering05!

I don't believe in it. I don't see any reason to believe in it. Do you have any reasons to suspect that there might be any truth to it being a reality, please?

Thanks!

cdeering05
Jul 20, 2010, 07:56 AM
I suspect there must be some truth to it if there is truth in that our souls journey is never ending. If we are here by choice on our cycle through evolution, to learn something, or change something by our very existence here for the betterment of the future then there must be some truth in reincarnation. To what extent I do not know, nor do I know if it is possible to get the answer. My answer, when and if I have it, will lead to more questions I am afraid. That's how this has been going. I have found a good source on hinduism and will be checking the links wondergirl provided (thank u!) I do have faith that I will recognize my own truth when I find it, because I do believe it is as different for each of us as we are from one another. But I do wish I had started looking earlier. Life you know, gets in the way of those things that sometimes your soul really desires. Thank you for considering it.

excon
Jul 20, 2010, 08:08 AM
I need to know if one can avoid reincarnation?? Hello again, c:

Yes. Make sure that when you take your last breath, your fingers are crossed.

excon

cdeering05
Jul 20, 2010, 08:25 AM
Dude you are just too cute! But I will keep that in mind. Thanks. Dudette

Kitkat22
Jul 20, 2010, 04:07 PM
There is no such thing. Why would someone want to leave heaven to come back.

TUT317
Jul 21, 2010, 03:52 PM
There is no such thing. Why would someone want to leave heaven to come back.?

Hi KitKat,

Basically, I think the idea is that once you achieve Nirvana you don't have to leave heaven. The only people who come back are those who are in hell. There are forced to come back in order to try and achieve a higher level of attainment.

Regards
Tut

Kitkat22
Jul 21, 2010, 04:00 PM
Hi KitKat,

Basically, I think the idea is that once you achieve Nirvana you don't have to leave heaven. The only people who come back are those who are in hell. There are forced to come back in order to try and achieve a higher level of attainment.

Regards
Tut

If you believe that.. I have some nice ocean front property in Arizona I'll sell you. When a person is in either place, there is no coming back. My opinion. The only Nirvana I know of is the band . Kurt Cobain.:rolleyes:

TUT317
Jul 21, 2010, 04:38 PM
If you believe that..I have some nice ocean front property in Arizona I'll sell you. When a person is in either place, there is no coming back. My opinion. The only Nirvana I know of is the band . Kurt Cobain.:rolleyes:


Hi again KitKat .

I didn't say I believed it. I just answered your question.

Regards
Tut

Kitkat22
Jul 21, 2010, 04:42 PM
Hi again KitKat .

I didn't say I believed it. I just answered your question.

Regards
Tut

Where did you hear or read this? Really I have never heard of it? I'm glad you don't believe in that malarkey. When your soul leaves your body it's gone to heaven or hell. No second chances.

TUT317
Jul 21, 2010, 05:06 PM
Where did you hear or read this? Really I have never heard of it? I'm glad you don't believe in that malarkey. When your soul leaves your body it's gone to heaven or hell. No second chances.

I can't remember where I read it. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions. Eastern and Western religions developed along different lines.

The idea of the universe having a beginning and ending is a well established philosophical tradition going back to the Ancient Greeks. Christianity, with the idea of, 'no second chances' fits in well with this tradition.

Eastern philosophy took a different view. There is no beginning or end to the universe. It goes through endless cycles. So the 'Big Bang' (beginning of the universe) is no more significant than another part of the cycle. On this basis reincarnation fits in well this this line of thinking.


Regards

Tut

P.S. Nice cat.

Kitkat22
Jul 21, 2010, 05:11 PM
I can't remember where I read it. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions. Eastern and Western religions developed along different lines.

The idea of the universe having a beginning and ending is a well established philosophical tradition going back to the Ancient Greeks. Christianity, with the idea of, 'no second chances' fits in well with this tradition.

Eastern philosophy took a different view. There is no beginning or end to the universe. It goes through endless cycles. So the 'Big Bang' (beginning of the universe) is no more significant than another part of the cycle. On this basis reincarnation fits in well this this line of thinking.


Regards

Tut

P.S. Nice cat.





Sorry... I don't believe your theory... By the way that cat is me reincarnated!:eek: I believe in the Holy Bible and God and Jesus... Kit

cdeering05
Jul 22, 2010, 09:56 AM
I believed the Heaven and Hell theory, although never without question. If god is all forgiving, and if we are here to achieve some advancement to our knowledge then why would we be eternally punished for getting it wrong? And here is a theory, what if THIS is hell, and the true goal is to get it right to get out? We are human, we cannot be perfect.. If we could, then would that not be heaven? Yet we are here, trying to achieve an expected perfection that by our very nature is unobtainable and putting all our hopes into theories written by men, and we do it in blind faith. Why is the christian bible right and anothers wrong? There are too many similarities between them all. Take 5 catholics individually and they will each interpret the same bible verse differently. I think they should all be studied, ( the 'bibles' of the different religions, not the 5 catholics) and pull from them the common beliefs and start over from there, just as a starting point. It's a tiring thought. One that makes the blind faith system look easier if not better. Sorry, thinking out loud. If we need to achieve a higher level of knowledge, and if we are starting with a flawed premise, then its no wonder humanity is in the mess it is in. Sure there is good and bad in everyone, to different extremes. But if you take the 7 deadly sins, really look at what each one covers, in private ,honestly look within oneself and see which ones you commit. We are human and with the blinders off that really begins to sound like an insult. Well, not Kitkat, she is saved. She is a cat. (Teehee)

TUT317
Jul 22, 2010, 02:29 PM
Take 5 catholics individually and they will each interpret the same bible verse differently. I think they should all be studied, ( the 'bibles' of the different religions, not the 5 catholics) and pull from them the common beliefs and start over from there, just as a starting point. Its a tiring thought. One that makes the blind faith system look easier if not better. Sorry, thinking out loud. If we need to achieve a higher level of knowledge, and if we are starting with a flawed premise, then its no wonder humanity is in the mess it is in.


Interesting point you make. There are some similarities even between Western and Eastern religion. As you say, heaven and hell being one of them. Interesting isn't it? When I think about it we don't actually,' get one shot at it' (sorry KitKat) . In Christian religions no one is without sin so we ask for forgiveness. In doing so hopefully we will become a better person. So in a way we do get a few attempts to get it right. Reincarnation seems to have a similar idea except we have to wait until the beginning of time to have another go.

From my point of view, 'the fly in the ointment' when it comes to religion is the idea of time. If we all had a common understanding of time then some sort of synthesis would be more likely. The problem is that despite our best efforts we really don't understand what time is> other than something that seems to pass.

Steven Hawking (the wheelchair guy) came up with an idea of imaginary time. As it turns out imaginary time can be just as real as the linear time we normally experience.


Tut

Kitkat22
Jul 22, 2010, 02:47 PM
Interesting point you make. There are some similarities even between Western and Eastern religion. As you say, heaven and hell being one of them. Interesting isn't it? When I think about it we don't actually,' get one shot at it' (sorry KitKat) . In Christian religions no one is without sin so we ask for forgiveness. In doing so hopefully we will become a better person. So in a way we do get a few attempts to get it right. Reincarnation seems to have a similar idea except we have to wait until the beginning of time to have another go.

From my point of view, 'the fly in the ointment' when it comes to religion is the idea of time. If we all had a common understanding of time then some sort of synthesis would be more likely. The problem is that despite our best efforts we really don't understand what time is> other than something that seems to pass.

Steven Hawking (the wheelchair guy) came up with an idea of imaginary time. As it turns out imaginary time can be just as real as the linear time we normally experience.


Tut

Tut... Look... I.m a Christian, not a very good one sometimes, but nevertheless I know where I am going when I die. It''s a good thought and it's also having the blessed assurance of knowing, I'm not coming back once I'm with the Lord. It makes the troubles of this world bearable.

I joke and kid around but my belief is my belief... The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Heaven, what a wonderful place it is and Hell... it's unimaginable torment forever. You have to have the blood applied to your heart. I can't make people believe the way I do. I wish I could.

... Kit:)



Please tell me you don't think you're King Tut reincarnated:eek:

TUT317
Jul 22, 2010, 03:39 PM
Hi KitKat,

I am not trying to convert anyone one way or the other. I was responding to an interesting idea Cdeering put forward.

I am not sure who I was before. Come to think of it, I am not sure who I am now.

Regards

Tut

Kitkat22
Jul 22, 2010, 03:43 PM
Hi KitKat,

I am not trying to convert anyone one way or the other. I was responding to an interesting idea Cdeering put forward.

I am not sure who I was before. Come to think of it, I am not sure who I am now.

Regards

Tut

You made me laugh, (not a put down) Who do you think you are:D

TUT317
Jul 22, 2010, 04:10 PM
You made me laugh, (not a put down) Who do you think you are:D


Hi again KitKat,

Come to think of it I had a unsuccessful go at answering that in the philosophy section not long ago.

Tut

Kitkat22
Jul 22, 2010, 04:11 PM
Hi again KitKat,

Come to think of it I had a unsuccessful go at answering that in the philosophy section not long ago.

Tut



You are you.:D

TUT317
Jul 22, 2010, 04:22 PM
You are you.:D



Thanks for that KitKat
I am sure your are correct.

Best wishes

Tut

bss1839
Aug 10, 2010, 08:11 PM
Every human being is in the process of birth and death.There are 84 lakhs of species through which our soul has to travel . A long long way. A never ending cycle Our transformation into human is a chance GOD has given to us to worship him and meet him so that we our liberated from taking birth again and dying again.Remember it is our only and only chance. We do not have to waste our precious time. Just meditate upon GOD who is in your heart. If you move one step towards him HE will come 10 million steps towards you.The GURU (Teacher) will take you to GOD . GU stands for the darkness. RU stands for light. So the GURU is the one who takes you from the darkness of ignorance to the divine light of wisdom. I hope you find the true GURU.

Kitkat22
Aug 10, 2010, 08:16 PM
Every human being is in the process of birth and death.There are 84 lakhs of species through which our soul has to travel . A long long way. a never ending cycle Our transformation into human is a chance GOD has given to us to worship him and meet him so that we our liberated from taking birth again and dying again.Remember it is our only and only chance. we do not have to waste our precious time. just meditate upon GOD who is in your heart. If you move one step towards him HE will come 10 million steps towards you.The GURU (Teacher) will take you to GOD . GU stands for the darkness. RU stands for light. So the GURU is the one who takes you from the darkness of ignorance to the divine light of wisdom. I hope you find the true GURU.

The only thing that will take you to God is having the blood of Jesus applied to your heart. It wasn't a GURU who died on the cross, it was the son of God. Through him and his love you find your way to God.

bendingleconte
Aug 23, 2010, 03:55 PM
A Hindu's answer: Reincarnation makes more sense to me that getting one go in life. Perhaps you should read Bhagavad-Gita. It is the essence of Vedic scripture (predating the Bible) with similar stories.

You are correct in stating that religion is man-made. There is only one God, call Him by whatever name you choose. (Yahweh, Elohim, Jehovah, Krishna, Vishnu, etc.) The one thing ALL religion has in common is its Dharma... the loving service to God.

leebeef
Aug 26, 2010, 07:10 AM
Yes reincarnation is a truth.The soul will continue to re-incarnate until it has balanced its karmas and raised its vibration in order to overcome this world. Eastern people are doing this all the time.Meditation is the art of raising the vibration of our minds.Balancing Karma is getting to an even score card with all your past lives and this present one. Then you will be able to avoid this. Until then you will continue to have lives

bendingleconte
Aug 26, 2010, 08:57 AM
Leebeef makes a very valid point as well. Karma must be balanced in order to break the cycle of birth and death. I personally do not believe this is possible because as long as one is enjoying the fruit of his own actions, he must accept his karma. It shall never end this way, because even if you do only good things, you must remain to enjoy the good karma.

The Bhagavad-gita explains this thoroughly. The only way to break this cycle is to offer the fruits of our actions to the Lord. Of course this is a religious belief, but it doesn't matter what religion. Christians work through Christ, hindus to Krishna, either way we must serve God to return to His spiritual realm.

Kitkat22
Aug 26, 2010, 09:18 AM
Leebeef makes a very valid point as well. Karma must be balanced in order to break the cycle of birth and death. I personally do not believe this is possible because as long as one is enjoying the fruit of his own actions, he must accept his karma. It shall never end this way, because even if you do only good things, you must remain to enjoy the good karma.

The Bhagavad-gita explains this thoroughly. The only way to break this cycle is to offer the fruits of our actions to the Lord. Of course this is a religious belief, but it doesn't matter what religion. Christians work through Christ, hindus to Krishna, either way we must serve God to return to His spiritual realm.

One God, who has a son named Jesus. The Holy Spirit.

One way. To be washed in the blood of the lamb. I hope you find that way . I won't knock your beliefs. But I know when I lay down in my bed at night , that if I die I'm going to wake in Heaven. If the trumpet of the Lord sounds and he comes back in the clouds to get his children, I'm ready.:)

bendingleconte
Aug 26, 2010, 10:10 AM
One God, who has a son named Jesus. The Holy Spirit.

One way. To be washed in the blood of the lamb. i hope you find that way . I won't knock your beliefs. But I know when I lay down in my bed at night , that if I die I'm going to wake in Heaven. If the trumpet of the Lord sounds and he comes back in the clouds to get his children, I'm ready.:)

Yes, Kitkat... One God. Even as a Hindu I agree. The Bhagavad-gita is hindu scripture and explains it very well. Once people understood that many scriptures compliment each other, there would be much happiness on this planet.

No offense to your beliefs either, but it's always the Christians who bring up the "It's not the same God" argument. I believe in one God, I just call him by His name in Sanskrit instead of Hebrew as I imagine you would do.

The bottom line is love Him and serve Him and we will see each other in Heaven.

Kitkat22
Aug 26, 2010, 10:11 AM
Yes, Kitkat...One God. Even as a Hindu I agree. The Bhagavad-gita is hindu scripture and explains it very well. Once people understood that many scriptures compliment each other, there would be much happiness on this planet.

No offense to your beliefs either, but it's always the Christians who bring up the "It's not the same God" argument. I believe in one God, I just call him by His name in Sanskrit instead of Hebrew as I imagine you would do.

The bottom line is love Him and serve Him and we will see each other in Heaven.

Yes we will:)

bendingleconte
Aug 26, 2010, 07:20 PM
Leebeef, hello and namaste.

My statement above is indicating that to enjoy ones fruits for our own gain is still karma. Positive karma as much as negative karma cause us to remain in this world to accept it. I am simply stating that by giving our fruits to God, he frees us from the results of karma.

Everyone must engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme.

Bg. 3.19
"Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme."
I invite you to read Bhagavad-Gita chapter 3.

I look forward to speaking to you further.

Kitkat22
Aug 26, 2010, 07:26 PM
I do not believe in it. Not at all.

leebeef
Aug 26, 2010, 08:17 PM
Bending
Yes I understand that attchment could hold us to the earth plane. My understanding is that even when Yogananda came to the States to open up the new meditation studios he enjoyed the fruits of his work, yet the result of his teachings here was more positive Karma. I think even Sri Yuteswar upon his death distributed his positive Karma to his disciples so they would have to work through less in their present life time. Positive Karma is built from acts that correspond with God's will .Karma or cause and effect must be balanced in order to be removed from the rebirth cycle. My understanding is that even these eastern masters were incarnated only for 1 reason and that was to balance their Karma's. Some had already raised their level of consciousness in order to get back to the (casual plane) Archangelic plane yet had to return to balance their Karmas. Is this your understanding bending

Kitkat22
Aug 26, 2010, 08:19 PM
Bending
Yes i understand that attchment could hold us to the earth plane. My understanding is that even when Yogananda came to the States to open up the new meditation studios he enjoyed the fruits of his work, yet the result of his teachings here was more positive Karma. I think even Sri Yuteswar upon his death distributed his positive Karma to his disciples so they would have to work thru less in their present life time. Postive Karma is built from acts that correspond with God's will .Karma or cause and effect must be balanced in order to be removed from the rebirth cycle. My understanding is that even these eastern masters were incarnated only for 1 reason and that was to balance their Karma's. Some had already raised their level of consciousness in order to get back to the (casual plane) Archangelic plane yet had to return to balance their Karmas. Is this your understanding bending





Give me a break! When you die you either go to heaven or hell.:rolleyes:

bendingleconte
Aug 27, 2010, 10:55 AM
Leebeef, I understand that what you are describing sounds like a Buddhist account of karma. I am just defining the Hindu perspective as stated in the Bhagavad-Gita. What you say makes perfect sense in that karma must be balanced, so good karma will be had until it balances all past bad karma.

The Hindu perspective is that ALL karma keeps us in the world. God forgives all karma and allows us to work for him without ANY karma if we surrender to Him.

bendingleconte
Aug 27, 2010, 10:57 AM
Kitkat, I certainly do appreciate your beliefs, but this IS a discussion on Reincarnation. Regardless of your beliefs, I do believe in it.

Think about it with an open mind, it seems to make more sense than existing for eternity and getting one life of 85 years. (my opinion). :)

Kitkat22
Aug 27, 2010, 11:01 AM
Kitkat, I certainly do appreciate your beliefs, but this IS a discussion on Reincarnation. Regardless of your beliefs, I do believe in it.

Think about it with an open mind, it seems to make more sense than existing for eternity and getting one life of 85 years. (my opinion). :)

Sorry my mind is open and when I get to heaven, it's going to be for eternity. Thanks:)

bendingleconte
Aug 27, 2010, 11:23 AM
Kitkat, I didn't mean to imply that your mind was not open. :*)
I was just asking you to think about my logic.

Yes, once you go to Heaven, it will be for eternity, I agree with that. By accepting Christ as your personal savior, you are freed from any and all karma you have gained over your previous lifetimes, just as I have done by surrendering to God.

Kitkat22
Aug 27, 2010, 11:29 AM
Kitkat, I didn't mean to imply that your mind was not open. :*)
I was just asking you to think about my logic.

Yes, once you go to Heaven, it will be for eternity, I agree with that. By accepting Christ as your personal savior, you are freed from any and all karma you have gained over your previous lifetimes, just as I have done by surrendering to God.



Bending, no offense taken. :) Blessings to you:)