Todays discussion comes from the 'Seven Principles of Spiritualism'

The fifth principle states that we are personally responsible for our actions here on earth.

Responsibility for which actions? For just our own? For others? Where are the boundaries?

Both of the responses to the last question refer to children as if they are brand new! What do you think about this? Do you think there is a new soul created for each body? Or do you think that there is a new body created for the reincarnated soul?

I have no opinion on whether we exist prior to physical birth.

Based on upbringing and experience, so far my conclusion is that a single visit to this earthly playschool is the norm, but if God wants to bend the rules for those that never got all their chances (died very young), well, they're his rules.

(Yes I could have worded that better - nobody says we understand what all the 'rules' are anyway.)

So far I believe it is possible to be confused by guides or like minds and wrongly think of them as a past life of one's own - I think they are connections to other people's experiences, not our own.

Through a glass darkly, and all that.

Reincarnation is the progress of a soul through many lives on the earth plane, as through so many grades in a school, before it 'graduates' to the immmortal perfection of oneness with God . Souls that are living in an imperfect state (unaware of their divine indentity with Spirit) do not, upon the death of the physical body, automatically enter a state of God-realization. We are made in the image of God but by identification with the physical body, we have put on its imperfections and limitations. Until this imperfect human consciousness of mortality is removed, we cannot achieve the highest.

We were created perfect but ventured out into the world and away from perfection. It takes many lifetimes to complete our earthly lessons which will enable us to be perfect in God once more.

We are not the body. We are Spirit. Children are not new souls but reincarnated souls with lessons to learn.

If, however there is a lofty purpose in living one life, how may we explain the seeming injustice in a baby's being born dead! What about those who are born blind or dumb or cripped, or who live only a few years and then die? Only the one who lives long has time to struggle against innate wrong tendencies and desires, and to try to be good. If there is no other chance (in a future life) for the little child who dies at six-months, why did God give that child a mind and no time in which to develop the potentialities of that mind? The time element is most important in our progress. One life-span only may not afford sufficient time.

From: Man's Eternal Quest. Sri Yogananda

Hi everyone.

I certainly believe in reincarnation and that we are on this earth to learn, to help and to love (and to teach, be helped and be loved).

From what I have read or been taught, I believe that babies or young children who die are here to teach their loved ones a lesson needed for their spiritual growth. They made a pact before coming to earth to help that loved one in their journey.

There is so much to learn and we make so many mistakes...how could we get it all in just one lifetime?

Regards
Dee

Yogananda is one of my favorites! He did much to help us understand how much the world is shaped by intent, including the preservation, i.e. no decay, of his body after its death!

Hi Susan

I haven't heard of Yogananda...but now I have I'll look him up on the net. Thank you.
Dee

hi from canada
do you suppose it could be some of both? all of the above & more!
merville

I have to opt for reincarnation every time. It makes sense.

Sri Yogananda wrote many books. The most famous is The Autobiography of a Yogi. It was written in the late 1940's and is still popular nowadays. A real spiritual classic and an eye opener for everyone lucky enough to read it.

The two other books I would recommend are:

The Divine Romance - Sri.Yogananda

Man's eternal quest - Sri. Yogananda

I keep all three close by me. I read them over and over again.