The Reincarnation Process: Factors and Decisions in Choosing the Next Life

Reincarnation, a concept often explored in various spiritual and religious beliefs, intriguingly poses many questions about the rules and choices involved in the process. This article delves into the factors and decisions that influence the choice of one's next life, drawing insights from different traditions and spiritual teachings.

One compelling exploration of this topic is found in the article "How to Get to Heaven" by Sharol Cannon MSn, a spiritualist Christian psychiatric head nurse. Here, Cannon discusses ten stages of spiritual progression. One of the key ideas is that the decision about the next life is made just once in a lifetime, and it is influenced by various factors including one's desires and karmic account.

Reincarnation in Jainism: The Role of Ayushya Karma

According to Jainism, reincarnation is based on Ayushya Karma, one of the eight major karmas that every living being accumulates continuously. Jainism's elaborate karmic theory suggests that once a soul reaches a point where it is ready to make the decision, it binds itself with Ayushya Karma. During this process, the karmas that will bear fruit in the next life are decided. This decision determines all aspects of the next life, including appearance, family background, age, and health, and it is final.

Factors Influencing the Choice of Next Life

Several factors come into play when determining one's next life. One of the key factors is the balance of one's desires and the karmic account from previous lives. For instance, if a person desires to live in the United States but does not have enough resources to support such a move, they would have to find another destination that better aligns with their current karmic account.

The spiritual text Bhagavad Gita provides further guidance on the decision-making process, stating that the state of consciousness at the time of death will largely determine the form one takes in their next life. Verses 8.5 to 8.8 in Bhagavad Gita highlight this concept, emphasizing the importance of one's last thoughts.

Karma and Its Implications

Karma is a central concept in understanding the reincarnation process. Karma cannot always be resolved in the same life in which it was acquired. If the karma involves another specific soul, it will depend on when that soul reincarnates and where. Each individual soul has its own agenda, and karmic debts must be coordinated as they unfold. This process is guided by a general plan, but each soul has the freedom to choose their circumstances.

Some of the factors that a soul can influence include where they are born, their race, gender, and the general socioeconomic standing of their parents and relatives. These conditions set the stage for how their life will unfold. Ultimately, the soul uses its free will to make choices and experiences. The soul continues to reincarnate until all karma has been resolved, or until all realizations have been achieved to the satisfaction of the individual.

Conclusion: The process of reincarnation is complex and influenced by various internal and external factors. Understanding these factors and the role of karma provides insight into the choices and processes involved in the journey of life.