Reincarnation

Reincarnation is a term loosely applied to cover a cluster of meanings which are themselves sometimes distinguished by certain authors or else used interchangeably by others. It may refer to the idea that, since perfection cannot be achieved in one lifetime but many lives are required, the soul moves from one human body to another until it perfects itself. This process may envisage the soul taking forms other than human. Conversely, the idea of rebirth may itself be used to combat the idea that there exists such a thing as the soul. The idea of recurrence envisages the endless repetition of the same life in all its details until consciousness or remembrance is attained and freedom genuinely desired. Spiritual progress may be thought of as occurring through a series of incarnations, the more progress being made in this life, the more propitious the next life; or else incarnation itself may be seen as a sign that significant progress has not yet been made. In either case, there is no finality - even heaven is temporary, as are the gods, and all will be dissolved at the end of this creation. The only escape from reincarnation in this case is through self realization and unity with the absolute. Meanwhile, one is always given another chance, another lifetime in which to achieve the goal. The doctrine of reincarnation is accepted in many religions, including not only Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism but some parts of Islam and the early Christian Church (notably Origen); and also by many philosophers, from Pythagoras and Socrates to Schopenhauer. The [kabbalah]

refers to transmigration by the Hebrew term [gilgul]

and indicates an early Jewish belief, that the great prophets were born again and that Adam became David and would become the Messiah. This belief is born out by the New Testament statement that many believed John the Baptist to be Elijah.

The concept of [immortality]

- defined by Kant as "the infinitely prolonged existence and personality of one and the same rational being" - may include reincarnation on this earth or the doctrine of eternal life in some other world (heaven, purgatory or hell) depending on the way in which the present life has been led. Some form of these beliefs are known to have been held in virtually all civilizations, with elaborate funeral and burial customs designed to benefit the soul in its next life. A particular case is that of the Tlingits of Alaska. These believe that the new born baby must be correctly identified in accordance with previous lives and even be given the same tribal name, otherwise accumulated merit of previous lives will be lost. The widespread belief in rebirth (which may be considered as an antidote to the apparent arbitrariness of life) is one of the primordial affirmations of mankind. The psychic events underlying such affirmations are therefore valid subject matter for psychology, whether or not their metaphysical and philosophical bases are considered significant.