Reincarnation Or One And Done?

Reincarnation is a topic of profound importance. For many years I considered in contemplation the “inviolate” concept held by some religions of "one and done." My thoughts centering on the concept of our eternal consciousness versus the finite nature of flesh. Why would our Heavenly Father, who exists beyond the constraints of time, space and flesh, limit his children in this way? Additionally if we are indeed children of the Most High, in all nature does not like beget like? How can we possibly learn all the lessons of living in a mere 70, 80 or even 100 years? In the Old Testament life spans of hundreds of years are chronicled, but that was some time ago and even if we did live hundreds of years there are many lessons requiring a fresh perspective.

Consider: How can anyone, even if diligent from day one, learn the lessons of having lived a lifetime as a king and a beggar, of the courageous and the coward, to live as a criminal and a righteous man in the same life? Live a life devoted to self-indulgence, hedonism as religion or one of asceticism or dedicated service to others? To know the joy, and heartbreak of children and a life lived chaste? Handicapped from birth or a natural athlete, to learn all this and so much more, additionally from the perspectives of male and female, in one lifetime? Any man who says he understands childbirth is a fool and any woman who stands in judgment of the bond between warriors is unwise. Today I know from bitter experience that until I walk a mile in someone’s shoes I truly cannot know their lessons and to think otherwise is rank hubris. Eternity is a long time, what sense would it make to limit our schooling to a single life since we are children of the Eternal, the Infinite, the Miraculous, of “Our Father, who art in Heaven….”

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Serenity, Enlightenment, Zen, Emmet Fox, How To Be Happy, Golden Key, Pope Francis, Chopra, Jesus, Einstein, AA, McRaven, Healing Path

Wearing Our Faith

The Tower of Babel story teaches some interesting lessons. Humankind was of a single spoken language but they did not believe in God as The Father. In fact they decided to challenge God so they came together on the plain of Shinar and began constructing a great city, a testament to man’s, not God’s greatness. At the heart of the city was the tower. This tower was constructed of “bricks like stone” for it was being built not only to last, but to reach Heaven itself. God, in His infinite wisdom chose to instruct rather than destroy, so He reached down and scrambled their language, making it impossible for them to continue working together, so they scattered to the four winds leaving the tower and great city unfinished. Hubris aside, what else does this lesson teach?

Consider the moments throughout history when men have come together in secular (though very often wrapping themselves in God) common cause. The resulting purges, revolutions, crusades, jihads, wars and persecutions led to, arguably, more death and destruction than all “natural” disasters combined. The argument can be made that many of these things happened to stop or address a greater evil, that if arms were not taken up a greater injustice would have taken place, but I will leave that determination in God's hands.

Even so, clearly man has been employing the same secular answers (though often laying them at God’s feet) and reaping the same results since the days of Shinar. War has yet to stamp out war; Persecution leading only to new generations of persecutors and victims; Prejudice, of all stripes, teaching another generation to prejudge, to marginalize. We cannot get sick enough to cure one person. No amount of hate will ever create love or understanding. We cannot get poor enough either spiritually or materially to help those in need.  

Living on the Spiritual Basis, speaking the language of the heart, we take a different tack. Today we choose to live on the basis of trusting and relying on God. Does this mean we bury our heads in the sand, oblivious to this world’s realities? To leave our homes unlocked, our children unprotected, offering our neck to any who would threaten us? Without equivocation, of course not. Continue to protect and stand for those who are incapable of protecting themselves, install sound locks on your doors, stay informed and involved in the issues of the secular world that interest you, remembering the rain falls on the just and the unjust equally. Living on the Spiritual Basis has nothing to do with a Polly Anna approach to living; in fact, it is the opposite. It is not the way of weakness, but is in fact the only true path of strength. The Great Carpenter said the meek shall inherit the Earth, being meek before God is to honor Our Father, it does not mean that we become servile or scrapping.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, standing in the light, the world needs what you have to offer, in truth Practicing the Presence of God demands it of us. The truth will set you free. Wear your faith as a loose garment, but wear it all your days, demonstrating it in all your ways, that the one true Adversary, the author of all strife and destruction, fear, be damned.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Serenity, Enlightenment, Zen, Emmet Fox, How To Be Happy, Golden Key, Pope Francis, Chopra, Jesus, Einstein, AA, McRaven, Healing Path