Hi Kirby,
I will do my best to explain it to you by telling you a couple of stories. Are you sitting comfortably?
We were talking in another thread about : "Who do you tell? (about your beliefs or experiences with reincarnation)" and I said I hardly talk to anyone about it (except you guys
) which is true, because I have found the conversations often end up the same way ... and that is talking about this very problem. But how do you know? For sure? But really? For sure? .
I could tell stories all night (and some of them would
curl your hair, I assure you) but there is no way to really be convinced unless you have had one of these experiences (past life memories).
I used to sometimes do a 'pop quiz' at dinner parties and things if the conversation was getting boring (always searching for a kindred spirit with memories too, never finding one). Anyway, it is a sure fire conversation starter and I recommend it if your friends are talking about their teeth or real estate or something...particularly if you've already heard that story... :laugh:
I used to ask what do you think happens after death? The answers tended to fall into five main categories:
1. We go to heaven (or hell)
2. Nothing. When you're dead, you're dead, that's it.
3. I believe in reincarnation
4. I will live on (sort of) because my body will be reabsorbed into the earth.
5. Don't know, never thought about it.
I suspect the number 5s (a surprisingly large proportion of responses) might just not want to talk about it, because I find it hard to believe that someone has never thought about it
at all. I think everyone ponders on this question, if only very occasionally.
Kirby, if there is one thing we can share with you in this forum, it is that, to quote Phoenix, 'reincarnation happens'. We don't know why (although many believe they do). We don't know how (exactly). We don't know what it 'means' (although there is no shortage of opinion on that and it is an interesting topic). But we pretty much have to come to the conclusion from sharing all these similar experiences, that there is 'something' going on.
This is a nice thread on this topic:
Reincarnation Fact or Fantasy?
Above all, don't be afraid of death. It is only temporary. As far as I know, and I know quite a lot.