REINCARNATION

Reincarnation is the most controversial subject among Spiritualists. There is even disagreement about it among the guides. Silver Birch declares reincarnation to be true, but he explains that different portions of consciousness incarnate at different times. Below are some questions he has answered on this subject:

　IS it possible for one's consciousness to function in separate portions?

　There is a consciousness which is you, of which you in the world of matter are expressing but a tiny portion, and there are portions of that same consciousness which are expressing themselves in other spheres of expression.

　Independently?

　No, not independently. You and the other expressions are all reflections of one inner spiritual reality. They are parts of a whole and the fragments are expressing themselves as parts of the whole, but through different vehicles of expression, which sometimes coalesce. They are not ignorant of each other within themselves, but only when they first begin to express themselves, until they find a common meeting-place and fit together into the whole once again.

　Would it be possible for two of those parts to meet one another and not know?

　Try to picture the greater consciousness as a circle, and then realize that there are segments of that circle which are revol-ving round its centre. Sometimes those segments meet and when they meet there is a recognition of their common oneness. When they finally cease to revolve, the different segments occupy their allotted places and the circle is united and complete.

　Is it possible for two parts of the same spirit to communicate with each other?

　If it is necessary.

　Are sometimes two parts of the same spirit incarnated on earth at the same time?

　No. for that would be contrary to the whole purpose. The rpose of the individual is to find experience on all planes of expression and only to return to the same plane when there is something to be achieved by the return.

　Would it be true to say that each reflection of the spirit has to work out its own progress, and cannot benefit from the lessons learned by other reflections of the same spirit?

　Yes, they are all parts of the one soul which express them-selves in different forms. You become increasingly conscious of more and more of yourself.

　And there is a point in evolution at which all those different parts are joined?

　Yes, in infinity.

　Would it be true to say that each of these sections incarnates only once and that, while reincarnation would be true when considering the complete soul, it would be untrue of each section?

　It depends on what has to be fulfilled. Only when some special mission has to be performed would the same portion of consciousness incarnate more than once.

　What do you mean by different parts of the same consciousness?

　It is hard to answer you because you do not understand what living really means. Life to you has expressed itself practically in its lowest forms. You cannot visualize real life, living intensely in a consciousness that is superior to anything which you conceive.

　The highest experience of the mystic, the greatest inspira-tion of the artist, the rapture of the poetーeven these are but

faint shadows of the reality which we call life in spirit realms. When you cannot appreciate that, because your expression is limited to a world of matter that vibrates slowly, how can I explain to you what consciousness is and how it is able to register itself?

　Do you see my difficulty? If you had a measure of com-parison it would be easier, but you can only compare light with darkness, sunshine with shadow. You cannot compare the colours of the rainbow with colours that are beyond your means of understanding and appreciation.

　Are they different virtues or facets of character that are split?

　No, not at all. It is not another facet of the individuality at all. When you ask these questions it is like trying to ex-plain to one who has been blind from birth what the colour of the sky looks like when the sun is shining. You have no standard of comparison.

　Does not your explanation of "split” consciousness express the same truth as F. W. H. Myers's declaration regarding"group" souls?

　 It is really the same thing, except that it is not a grouping of different souls, but a union of the different portions of con-sciousness returning to complete the whole.

　It seems that when the different parts of consciousness are reunited each would lose its own individuality.

　Does the stream lose itself when it flows into the mighty ocean, or is the ocean many streams? Does the note of the violin lose itself when it merges into the harmony created by the whole orchestra?

　Why does not the spirit world give us proof of reincarnation?

　What could be evidence of reincarnation that you could not explain by spirit control? You will only accept it when your consciousness is ready, when it becomes clear to you that it is the Law. That is why there are many in my world who say it does not happen. They say it does not happen because they have not yet reached the stage of consciousness when they know it does happen. Can a mystic explain his mysticisin to a man of business? Can an artist explain to hose not endowed with his sensitiveness what his inspiration is? He cannot. They are on different mental planes.

  Does the soul know when it is about to reincarnate?

　The soul knows, but cannot express itself through the mind. The soul, which is the Great Spirit, expresses itself through all eternity, gradually, step by step, and at any stage there is a vast portion still not expressed

  Is it, then, unconsciously done when a soul reincarnates?

　It depends on the state of evolution of that soul. There are many souls who know they have incarnated before. There are others who do not. Their souls may know, their con-sciousness may know, but it may not be known by the mind. You are touching the greatest mysteries of life, and I find it very hard to discover words in your English language to express the things of the spirit.

　If life is continual change and evolution, and reincarnation is a fact, how can we be sure of meeting our loved ones when we pass over, and of enjoying the life of bliss with them promised to us?

　Love will always know its own, for love is the greatest force in the universe. Love will always attract its beloved and love will always meet its love, for nothing can prevent the union of those who love.

　But with reincarnation there will be continual separation. Does that fit in with the idea of eternal bliss?

　Your idea of eternal bliss does not fit in with my idea of eternal bliss. The universe and the laws in it are as the Great Spirit made them, not as His children make them. The wise man changes his mind as he faces new facts, because he knows that he cannot alter the facts to please his fancy.

　If it is true that we have been through countless lives before this one, why is it that we are not more progressed and ideal than we are?

　You can be in the world of matter and be a saint; you can be in the world of matter and be the lowest of the low. It does not depend upon the earthly plane. It depends on the evolution of the soul.

　Have we still an infinite number of suffering and struggling lives to go through in the future, as in the past?

　Yes, infinite. Struggle, suffering, through the crucible of pain does the Great Spirit express itself. Suffering tries the Great Spirit. Suffering enables the Great Spirit within to emerge purified, strengthened, refined, even as the gold emerges from the ore by crushing, by refining. Until it has been through these processes, it is not revealed as gold.

　If that is so, what is the use of the idea of a heaven after death?

　That which you consider heaven today you will not con-sider heaven tomorrow, for happiness consists in striving, always striving, for the higher and the higher beyond that.

　If a soul is reincarnated, does it come back to the same nationality as it functioned in in the last incarnationーIndian to Indian and British to British, for example?

   Not necessarily. It will choose that country and that race which is necessary for its new unfoldment.

　Does the same thing apply in matters of sex?

　Yes. It does not necessarily come back to the same sex that it had before.

　Can it be true that we are punished for our sins in another life on earth, as well as having to atone before we can progress in the spirit world? Would God punish us twice for the same sin?

　It is not always a question of punishment, but of evolution, of a task to be learned, of another link to be forged in the chain of the soul's education and upliftment. Reincarnation does not always mean that you are to be punished. It often means that there are gaps which have to be filled. Sometimes they are chastening ones, sometimes they are lessons which have not been learned. It does not always mean punishment. You cannot be punished twice. When you have an under-standing of the Law you will marvel at its perfection, for it cannot be unevenly weighted on one side. The Law is perfect because the Great Spirit is perfect.

　Can you tell of anyone on the Other Side who knows for a certainty that he or she has gone through one or more periods of reincarnation in this world?

　Yes. When the soul has evolved to the stage where it is necessary for it to know, it knows. It cannot see the light until its eyes can stand the light. I will not give names, for they would not be evidence. I have said before that all which is true of reincarnation can be "explained” by control. I speak of the laws of the Great Spirit as far as my own under-standing reaches. I only speak the truth as I know it. If there are some who do not agree, I do not mind, but I can only speak about the things I know. It does not matter if others do not accept it. When they have lived as long as I have, they may change their minds.

　There is a lot of controversy regarding reincarnation. Would it not be wiser to concern ourselves with Survival?

　It is better to be in the light than in the dark. It is better to have knowledge than ignorance. It is better to know the laws than not to know the laws. It is better always to search for truth, diligently and patiently, rather than to sit still. It is always better to strive for progress. Survival is not the end. It is only the beginning, for when you understand that you are a part of the Great Spirit and because of that you pass through the avenue of death unharmed and unchanged, that is not the end of all things. That is only the beginning.