The Journey of Reincarnation: What is Carried from a Previous Life to a New One

As we explore the concept of reincarnation, one intriguing question emerges: what exactly is carried forward from one lifetime to the next? This essay delves into the beliefs surrounding the soul, karma, and memories to answer this question. Whether you follow Hindu philosophy or simply find these concepts fascinating, understanding what is transferred during reincarnation can provide a greater appreciation of one's past and future lives.

The Role of the Soul

The soul, or soul in spiritual contexts, is believed to carry the impressions of knowledge garnered through thoughts, speech, sensory experiences, and actions of past lives. This soul is akin to a record-keeper, preserving the deeds of the individual, which may be rewarded or punished in the future. It is this soul that carries on into subsequent lives, receiving new experiences and lessons.

Karma: The Law of Cause and Effect

Karma, in Hindu philosophy, is the law of cause and effect that governs the universe. Every action has a reaction, and one must face the consequences of their deeds, whether good or bad, in this life or the next. Similar to a bank balance, reasons will eventually balance out. Here, memory is used symbolically to represent these past actions. While it is impossible to prove the occurrence of past lives, cases like that of the story involving a young girl who could recall her past life with remarkable accuracy, suggest that some of our actions and memories may indeed be carried forward.

The Recyclable Energetic Substance of Ideas

The belief that it is the ideas, rather than the human beings themselves, that reincarnate is another fascinating aspect. When a person dies, the body and soul perish, but the energy of their ideas, sensations, and movements can be recycled and modified. For simplicity, this process is often described as only the energy (or soul) being recycled.

Key Elements of Reincarnation

Several elements are believed to be carried forward from one life to the next:

Soul (Atma): The pure soul, containing the knowledge and experiences of past lives. Kundalini Shakthi: The energy that records the individual's past karmas. Sukshma Shareer (Subtle Body): This denotes the progress of spiritual growth, and it is believed to continue through subsequent lives based on the accumulated karmas.

Energy and Spiritual Practices

Every human life begins as a blank canvas, with no knowledge from past lives. However, as a person grows, their mind interacts with the physical world, earning papa (negative karma) or punya (positive karma). Karma is fundamentally based on the concept of energy. Performing papa (negative actions) can lead to a loss of energy, while performing punya (positive actions) can result in gaining energy and a sense of happiness. The overall balance of energy in a person's body determines the span of their life. Practices like yoga can help in gaining energy, as exemplified by Ravana, who, despite performing papa through his tortures, gained energy through chanting, leading to a final transcendent state.

Examples like Lord Rama illustrate how the balance of energy impacts one's life. Ravana's excessive loss of energy due to papa led to their shorter lifespan, but Rama, by absorbing the energy from Ravana using his divine bow, achieved a more balanced and higher state of existence, ultimately leading to their spiritual victory.

Understanding the concepts of reincarnation, karma, and the energy that drives our actions can offer insight into the interconnectedness of our deeds and their consequences, both in this life and the next.