Comments on: The question I should have started with

By: a. fortis

a. fortis — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:36:28 +0000

I like Diana’s thoughts on the subject–I remember hearing that idea, too, that whatever you think is going to happen will happen to you. I have to say, though, that I’m a completely uncommitted agnostic on the subject–I don’t claim to have any knowledge or even beliefs whatsoever about what might happen after we die (although Alkelda’s nice long nap sounds pretty okay to me!).

I did have a friend once, several years back, who believed in reincarnation wholeheartedly–and that a female friend of his was his reincarnated soulmate from that previous life. I never quite knew what to think about that, but he believed it absolutely.

I personally am a little afraid of the idea of reincarnation, after all of the insects I’ve massacred in this life…

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:14:10 +0000

Such an interesting question!

I agree with you, Robin. I like thinking that I am learning lessons in this life for a reason. I also believe that some people are “old souls.” My theory is that there are many new souls as the population skyrockets, while most of us are somewhere in between, on our journey to wisdom.

I hate to kill bugs, even annoying ones. It makes me wonder if perhaps I was a bug in a past life, if that is even possible. Who knows?

I think it’s funny that others have commented that people usually think they were a king or queen in a past life, but I think that I was a bug. Should I be concerned?

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:34:53 +0000

Well, if I’m to believe in reincarnation, I want to go with Diana’s variant!

(And, yes, Robin. We can always disagree, and still be friends.)

By: Patrick, the Space Lord

Patrick, the Space Lord — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:03:00 +0000

What’s wrong with the hair? The hair is perfect! Don’t tell me you prefered the long hair.

By: Kelley

Kelley — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:23:16 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts on this, everyone! I can say I don’t personally believe in something, but that certainly doesn’t make it untrue. It’s intriguing, and perhaps after reading your new book, Robin, I’ll be inspired to learn more. (: Any expected publication date?

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:49:14 +0000

Why not? It’s a big universe. I remember reading one theory once that the things people think happen happen — so if you believe in reincarnation, you get reincarnated, if you believe in heaven or hell, you could wind up there. After that, I decided that after death, I would arise in a universe over which I had absolute and total control. Skies made of cotton candy. Seas of freshly squeezed orange juice. Filled with puppies. You know, the usual.

Seriously, though, I like the idea of variety of experience. Reincarnation doesn’t necessarily exclude heaven, etc. Like in ELSEWHERE — you have both. Ditto Defending Your Life.

The thing that bothers me about reincarnation STORIES is that usually people believe they were Cleopatra or whatever. I’m also not sure I believe there’s any connection with reincarnation and soulmates, like we’re stuck with the same people over and over, the same situations, etc. That wouldn’t be as interesting to me as reincarnation where you explore the vastness of the universe.

By: Alkelda the Gleeful

Alkelda the Gleeful — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:08:52 +0000

I really, really hope there is no reincarnation. I just want to take a nice long nap after I die, you know? But as far as what I really think, if there is reincarnation, we’re supposed to have worked things out in the past life and not bring it into the next, ergo, there’s no point in dwelling on it except as something theoretical. I’m really operating on an “as if” basis. I’m living as if there is no reincarnation. I don’t know if I’ll make it to heaven (whatever heaven may be), but I sure hope so, and I am making sure everyone comes too. If we can’t all make it there, it’s not heaven.

By: robin

robin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:10:22 +0000

Katie Sis, I’m sure you’re one of Kelley’s soul peeps–is there any question?

Heather, I see your point. But for me it actually makes life even richer–I like the idea that it’s a long road, and I have lots of time to fix things.

Lady T, Audrey Rose scared the PEE out of me. Man oh man, why did you have to bring that up? Nightmares now. Please make the bad images go away.

Aside from that, thanks for sharing your family debate. So interesting! And I agree with Jennifer Donnelly about the king and queen thing. Obviously most of us must have been the rabble, since there were more of those.

By: Heather Harper

Heather Harper — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:09:47 +0000

I have a difficult time wrapping my head around reincarnation. I think it is a great fictional tool, but regardless of the possibility that it could be fact, focusing on the next life detracts from focusing on the current moments of our lives.

By: Lady T

Lady T — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:27:42 +0000

I remember reading the horror novel Audrey Rose many years ago(which used reincarnation as the menace afflicting the little girl of the title)and having a bit of a mental debate with one of the characters,the dad who insisted that Audrey Rose was the instant reincarnation of his daughter who only died a few years ago and that her flashbacks to her untimely death grew worse whenever he was around(or in the same city). That just made me say “Then why don’t you STAY AWAY FROM HER?” What a yutz.

My father believed in reincarnation but according to him,the soul couldn’t return until 66 years after it’s last departure. He did read alot of reading on the subject but my beliefs are rather looseleaf.

I think that reincarnation is an option in the next world,one of many possibilities offered up to the soul. I also believe that free will stays a part of you,even when facing The Powers That Be(my dad didn’t quite see it that way,so we agreed to disagree).

Weird thing is,my household didn’t subscribe to any particular religion(I went to Catholic school as my junior high and had First Communion,along with
Confirmation)but we’ve had alot of interesting discussions about God and faith over the years. Some folks on my father’s side of the family consider us to be pagans,which is fine with me.

Back to the topic at hand,one of the things I like about author Jennifer Donnelly is her take on the subject(this from her essay on what inspired her first novel,The Tea Rose):

” Funny, isn’t it, how most people who believe in reincarnation are convinced they were once queens and kings, priestesses, generals, artists and shamans?

No one ever says, “I was a garbage man. I just know it.” Or “I’m certain I was a hooker.”

I’m not really sure if I believe in reincarnation. Maybe a little bit. I am sure about one thing though: if I did live a previous life, I was no queen. I was a slum dweller.”