Reincarnation, literally "to be made flesh again", as a doctrine
or mystical belief, holds the notion that some essential part
of a living being (or in some variations, only human beings)
can survive death in some form, with its integrity partly
or wholly retained, to be reborn in a new body. This part
is often referred to as the Spirit or Soul, the 'Higher or
True Self', 'Divine Spark', 'I' or the 'Ego' (not to be confused
with the ego as defined by psychology).
In such beliefs, a new personality is developed during each
life in the physical world, based upon past integrated experience
and new acquired experiences, but some part of the being remains
constantly present throughout these successive lives as well.
It is usually believed that there is interaction between predeterminism
of certain experiences, or lessons intended to happen during
the physical life, and the free-will action of the individual
as they live that life.
This doctrine is a central tenet within the majority of Indian
religious traditions such as Yoga, Vaishnavism, Jainism and
Sikhism. Buddhist concept of Rebirth, a major part of Buddhist
philosophy, differs from the Vedic based traditions, teaches
that our "self" (soul) does not reincarnate (see below). Many
modern Pagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New
Age movements, along with followers of Spiritism, practitioners
of certain African traditions, and students of esoteric philosophies.
The concept of reincarnation seems to offer one of the most
attractive explanations of man’s origin and destiny. There
is an increasing interest in this topic today, sustained especially
by books and magazines, TV broadcasts, movies and conferences.
Most of them are related to the world of esoterical wisdom
and occult phenomena. Reincarnation is a hot topic also on
the Internet, as you may have already noticed. Not only adherents
of Eastern religions or New Age spirituality accept it currently,
but also many who don’t share such esoteric interests and
convictions.
