Law of Reincarnation Raw: A Comprehensive Guide

The concept of reincarnation, the belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death, has fascinated humankind for thousands of years. Also known as metempsychosis or transmigration, reincarnation is a central tenet of many religions originating in India and East Asia. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the origins, history, and modern interpretations of the law of reincarnation raw.

Key Takeaways:

The law of reincarnation raw is a belief that the soul or consciousness is reborn into a new body after death.
The concept of reincarnation is found in many religions and cultures around the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
There is no scientific evidence to support the law of reincarnation raw, but there are many near-death experiences and past life memories that suggest it may be real.
Believing in the law of reincarnation raw can have many benefits, such as reducing fear of death, increasing compassion for others, and motivating people to live good lives.

What is the Law of Reincarnation Raw?

The law of reincarnation raw refers to the process by which a soul is reborn repeatedly into different physical bodies over successive lifetimes. This endless cycle of rebirths is known as samsara in Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

The word “raw” implies that the process is in its original, unmodified form. The goal of reincarnation is to eventually escape samsara and attain moksha or nirvana. This escape from the cycle of rebirths is considered true spiritual enlightenment.

Key Facts About Reincarnation

Reincarnation is a key concept in Dharmic faiths originating in India like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism as well as some tribal religions.
The soul or atman is believed to take on a new physical form after death based on the karma or actions in the previous life.
The physical form one takes on can be human, animal, plant or spirit. The goal is to achieve good karma and be reborn into a higher form in the next life.
Buddhism and Jainism slightly differ in their beliefs and focus more on spiritual liberation than becoming a higher being.

The Origins and History of Reincarnation

The earliest evidence of reincarnation beliefs can be traced back to 800 BCE in ancient India. Some of the earliest written mentions are found in the sacred Hindu texts like the Upanishads (800-500 BCE). More developed concepts of rebirth and samsara emerged in the classic Indian epics like the Mahabharata (400 BCE onwards).

Reincarnation was widely accepted in ancient Indian society. The Buddha (563-483 BCE) and Mahavira (599-527 BCE), founders of Buddhism and Jainism respectively, refined the concept and emphasized spiritual liberation over hierarchical rebirths. As these Eastern faiths spread, so did the belief in reincarnation.

Here’s a brief overview of the development of reincarnation ideas:

800-500 BCE: Concepts emerge in Upanishads and Vedic literature. Systematization of samsara and karma.
500 BCE onwards: Buddhism and Jainism refine ideas. Emphasis on nirvana and moksha.
100 BCE – 100 CE: Reincarnation widely entrenched in Indian culture. Mentions in popular epics.
100 – 700 CE: Spread of Indian religions spreads belief worldwide – Asia, Greece, Middle East etc.
700 – 1500 CE: Development of philosophical schools dealing with reincarnation. Links with morality.
1500 CE onwards: Reincarnation ideas influence Western occult and mystic traditions. Also seen in some tribal cultures.

Major Religious Concepts Related to Reincarnation

The core ideas behind the law of reincarnation in different faiths stem from the following concepts:

Karma

Karma literally means “action”. It refers to the cyclical cause-and-effect nature of deeds and events in one’s life. Every action – positive, negative or neutral – is believed to bear karmic fruit.

Samsara

Samsara refers to the endless cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. It is seen as a place of suffering and bondage to illusory desires. Escape from samsara is the ultimate spiritual goal in Indian religions.

Moksha

Moksha or Mukti refers to the liberation or release from samsara. It represents spiritual enlightenment, self-realization and freedom to exit the cycle of births and rebirths.

Nirvana

Nirvana represents the “blowing out” of desires and breaking free from samsara. It is a transcendental state free from suffering and cycle of rebirths. Attaining nirvana signifies spiritual enlightenment.

Major Religions and Reincarnation Beliefs

Here’s a quick look at reincarnation beliefs in some of the major world religions:

Hinduism: Reincarnation of the soul based on karma. Goal is to achieve moksha or liberation from rebirth.
Buddhism: Rebirth in human or other forms based on karma. Goal is to attain nirvana and end this Cycle of existence.
Jainism: Reincarnation of soul bound by karma. Goal is liberation of the soul from karmic accumulation.
Sikhism: Rebirth governed by God. Good karma is rewarded with higher forms. Goal is to reunite with God.
Taoism: Strong focus on cyclic nature of phenomena. Reincarnation subject to karma and sins.
Shintoism: Reincarnation is part of the cyclic existence. Liberation comes from fulfilling one’s destiny.

Modern Interpretations and Views on Reincarnation

In the 19th-20th centuries, ideas of reincarnation came to influence various modern movements and thinkers. Some key instances:

Spiritualism – Attempts to communicate with spirits of the dead convinced some Spiritualists of reincarnation.
Theosophy – Madame Blavatsky’s Theosophical school blended Eastern and Western concepts of reincarnation and karma.
Anthroposophy – Rudolf Steiner founded this philosophy with reincarnation as a central principle.
Edgar Cayce – This famous psychic brought reincarnation into the mainstream through his readings on past lives.
New Age – Contemporary New Age movements integrate reincarnation into their philosophies and worldviews.

Is There Evidence for Reincarnation?

Reincarnation may seem counterintuitive, especially from a Western viewpoint. Is there any evidence that past lives and rebirths actually exist? While there’s no irrefutable scientific proof, some fascinating cases suggest the possibility:

Past Life Regression

Through hypnosis, individuals have recalled detailed “memories” of apparent past lives. Subjects provide vivid descriptions of names, events, places etc. which they could not have otherwise known.

Xenoglossy

Rare individuals spontaneously speak foreign languages never learnt previously. Past life regression can sometimes elicit xenoglossy. Are these languages from past lives?

Birthmarks

Some people exhibit birthmarks or deformities that seem linked to injuries/events associated with claimed past lives. Are these carried imprints from past reincarnations?

Childhood Recollections

Very young children occasionally talk about vivid “memories” of people, places or events unknown to their families. Could these be memories from past lives?

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)

In some NDEs, individuals report leaving their bodies or seeing deceased relatives. To some, this hints at life after death, if not reincarnation.

Benefits of Believing in Reincarnation

For adherents of religions that embrace reincarnation, this belief comes with some psychological benefits:

Removes fear of death and dying
Instills a sense of purpose and direction
Promotes virtuous living for positive future lives
Explains feelings of déjà vu or deep connections
Provides comfort from the idea of being reborn
Encourages living in harmony with nature

Above all, belief in reincarnation gives hope that as the soul journeys across lifetimes, it has unlimited chances to improve spiritually and come closer to enlightenment.

How to Remember Past Lives?

Since most of us have no conscious memory of past lives, is there a way to access these? Here are some methods believers recommend to recall your previous incarnations:

Meditation – Hypnosis, deep relaxation and mantra meditation can reveal buried memories.
Dreamwork– Analyzing symbols, events and people in dreams may provide clues to past lives.
Quantum Healing Hypnosis – Supposedly accesses the “Higher Self” with details on previous incarnations.
Past Life Regression – Hypnosis methods like “progression” or “regression” to remember past lives.
Spiritual Guidance – Channeling spirits or higher consciousness can allegedly uncover past life info.

Skeptics consider these techniques to be suggestive or producing false memories. But believers say they provide glimpses of reincarnation.

Reincarnation Myths and Misconceptions

Reincarnation is surrounded by myths and mysteries. Here are some common misconceptions dispelled:

Myth: Reincarnation only happens in human form

Fact: Reincarnation allows rebirth in any form – human, animal, plant or spirit.

Myth: Karma is fatalistic and locks you into destiny

Fact: Karma interacts with free will to guide appropriate actions and their outcomes.

Myth: Reincarnation memories are fully accurate and reliable

Fact: Present life personalities and minds can distort apparent memories from past lives.

Myth: Reincarnation only happens on Earth

Fact: Souls may reincarnate on different planes, realms or even planets, according to some philosophies.

Myth: Everyone experiences reincarnation

Fact: Certain traditions believe some souls may “ascend” directly after death and bypass rebirth.

Conclusion

The ancient law of reincarnation continues to influence spiritual traditions worldwide today. While the cycle of rebirths may seem esoteric and complex for some, at its heart reincarnation provides a message of hope: as souls we have unlimited opportunities to learn life’s lessons, pay our karmic debts, and ultimately progress to liberation. Reincarnation teaches that our journey does not end with one lifetime but continues eternally as we work toward enlightenment.

FAQ

What’s the difference between reincarnation and transmigration?

Transmigration refers to the movement of the soul after death into any new form, ranging from plants and animals to immaterial spirits. Reincarnation specifically means rebirth into a new human form.

What causes someone to reincarnate?

In Eastern religions, karma or the causal results of actions in a previous lifetime cause reincarnation into a new form. Liberation from karmic bondage ends the cycle of rebirths.

Do you have to be religious to believe in reincarnation?

No, some agnostics and secular thinkers influenced by Eastern ideas also believe in reincarnation as a natural law of the universe.

How long does the reincarnation process take after death?

This varies greatly among different faiths. Some say 49 days, others a year, still others an indefinite period. Ultimately it depends on the spiritual progress of the departed soul.

How do different religions view animal reincarnation?

Hinduism and Jainism see life forms as interconnected on the karmic wheel. Buddhism and Sikhism view animal rebirth more negatively as undeserved retribution for past sins.