I believe in reincarnation. Question

[QwertyGirl]

It sounds to me like you have a pretty firm faith in what you believe. I am not sure why you want to convince yourself it isn’t a valid belief?

Personally, I also believe reincarnation is a possibility. This doesn’t preclude me from also having some beliefs forged from Christian tradition. I would suggest considering how might get to a place of comfort within a hybrid belief system. Many do. I realize it isn’t what most people here would suggest, but since you asked I would tell you it is possible.

 

[Asthmalady]

We often talk about the saints and their lives but we see them as different to us, probably because in some ways they are. It can be a little frightening to actually experience the supernatural and we are taught to discern very keenly so as not to be misled. I have read of one or two saints who even though they were blessed were still unsure of whether they were saved or not at the end of their mortal lives, even though they had experienced the Holy supernatural.

I agree with this statement, but don’t you think there should be better resources for the poor people who are experiencing stuff like this? Instead of secrecy or accusations of dabbling with satan? (I’m not saying you were doing that, I’m painting with a WIDE brush there…) I imagine that a true saint would be too humble to assume they were saved.

Also with regard to reincarnation, the fact is that most people aren’t aware of having been reincarnated and so if it were true that indicates that we don’t need to know that.

I agree with this statement. But I know from my experience that there are people who are aware and there aren’t resources for us. Just a lot of “THAT’S NOT TRUE!” Its a very isolating place to be.

 

[Asthmalady]

I’ve known several people (including a niece) who are into New Age stuff, and they fit the description.

Fair enough.

 

[Lee1]

know from my experience that there are people who are aware and there aren’t resources for us.

As qwertygirl suggests there may be hybrid systems available or if there are many of you then you might find a common home for your worship of God.

Just searching and there are 100+ threads regarding Charismatics and the charismatic movement. Plenty of info in those I’ll bet.

 

[QwertyGirl]

My only comment is that New Age people have a lot of “feelings” and “emotions.” But not much logic, if any. There is something of an issue of pride here. People that “feel” this way think they are special. Somehow they have been “chosen” (by whom?) or given a “gift” of “spirituality.” They are “better” than other people. The 99.999% who don’t feel the way they do are…what? Inferior beings? Normal? Logical?

This is not a fair, reasonable, or correct statement. These people are typically very open-minded with regards to how we are here and why we are here. As a result, they don’t subscribe to religion. What you describe as their “feelings” and “emotions” is neither. It is awareness. Awareness of their own existence and awareness of the existence of others.

New-agers rarely claim to have all the answers, because they know they don’t.

 

[QwertyGirl]

Reincarnation wouldn’t be fun. There must be a better life in a more loving place than remaining here on earth to keep reincarnating. That could be pretty monotonous.

For those who believe in reincarnation, this isn’t a worry. They believe most souls don’t have a recollection of their previous lives. It would lbe as if someone asked you how you felt about the random year of 1734. You probably wouldn’t have much feeling about it at all.

 

[Gorgias]

you don’t know me. So you don’t know if I’m full of pride. Or all emotion with no logic. Or if I think I’m special.

Well, but hold on - you did say you were ‘special’, and if you don’t want to use the word ‘powers’, you do use the word ‘traits’!

God created me with some traits that allow me to be keenly aware of what is happening in the lives of others.

See what I mean? So, please try to not get too upset when folks have the reaction “oh! New age!”… 'cause after all, what you’re saying does sound a lot like the claims that come from that tradition!

A coupke other things caught my attention in your posts:

Reincarnation being true would cause a fundamental shift in the understanding of Jesus and his “title.” I am not trying to be disrespectful with the use of the word “title” I just can’t think of a good way to say it

His “identity”. That is, who (precisely) He is!

The point is, I find the selfless service and teachings of Jesus Christ to be quite inspiring. He is my favorite archetype

This is an interesting approach. Not novel, mind you (it was around in the time of St Augustine), but interesting. It’s the approach that asserts “I can do without Jesus, but he had an interesting philosophy of life.”

Coincidentally, Jesus himself had to deal with this kind of rejection of Him (after all, it really is a gentle rejection of Him to say “Jesus, you’re a nice guy and good example, and I like your take on ‘service’, but all this stuff you said about building a Church and how to be saved just sounds wrong to me”, right?

 

[Lee1]

I agree about the people, I have met a few and they are better described as non conformist imo.

I am not condoning new age beliefs however, whatever they may be.
I’m a Catholic and it took me a long time to find my home and I’m very happy here.

 

[Asthmalady]

It sounds to me like you have a pretty firm faith in what you believe. I am not sure why you want to convince yourself it isn’t a valid belief?

Personally, I also believe reincarnation is a possibility. This doesn’t preclude me from also having some beliefs forged from Christian tradition. I would suggest considering how might get to a place of comfort within a hybrid belief system. Many do. I realize it isn’t what most people here would suggest, but since you asked I would tell you it is possible.

Yes, my faith is firm. My desire to convince myself it isn’t valid comes a strong sense of isolation. I live in a rural area where everyone believes (or pretends to believe) the exact same thing. They all live the same life, want the same things, go to the same places. They grow up, get married, have children, go to work and church and buy “things”. That’s life here.

I am “different”. I have always been different… I’m not worldly, I’ve never wanted “things”, I’ve always stood up to bullies, I befriended the “nerds,” I “just knew things.” As a child I found a way to manage this. Then I grew up, got married and found out God made me as barren as the desert. No children. This has isolated me further because so much of society hinges on the raising of children and as much as people want to deny it, if you don’t have kids you are not included in much of life in a rural community. People don’t mean to, but they simply forget you’re there because they are very busy.

I’m looking for community and I’m not finding it. Then as I come to grips with the fact that my faith is also different and I need to accept that in order to live authentically and in peace I am faced with further isolation.

It’s very difficult.

 

[Lee1]

This is an online community in many ways, questions are asked, ideas are sought and we try to be polite, respectful and tolerant. I think.

Catholic though in the main of course and as you’d expect from the website.

100+ threads on charismatics if you use the search menu option.

 

[Asthmalady]

Well, but hold on - you did say you were ‘special’, and if you don’t want to use the word ‘powers’, you do use the word ‘traits’!

Sigh. Alright, fine… I used the word traits. I don’t see where I said I was special. But the truth is I do have ‘traits’ and I need some help with them. Is there a better way for me to ask for help? Is there a way I can say this that won’t get me pigeon holed into the new age? Because every time I reach out that seems to happen… and it keeps me from getting the help that I need.

 

[Asthmalady]

This is an online community in many ways, questions are asked, ideas are sought and we try to be polite, respectful and tolerant. I think.

Catholic though in the main of course and as you’d expect from the website.

100+ threads on charismatics if you use the search menu option.

I agree this is a community, and yes… I think the experience has been quite gentle. You’re watching a woman come to terms with the fact that she’s not Catholic. It’s difficult and scary to know that you can’t find what you need in the place you know to look for it. I’ll search for some info on charismatics. Thanks!

 

[Cloisters]

@asthmalady, you’re what we refer to as an Intuitive. If you’ve not read the Imitation of Christ, The Introduction to the Devout Life, and the Three Stages (Ages?) of the Interior Life (not sure I got that title right), I would highly recommend them.

All three of these books would help you with your spiritual journey. The closer we get to God, the less we have to worry about reincarnation.

Because of your isolation, you’re more prone to temptation. Give this belief in reincarnation to God, and make an effort to detach from it. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, that’d be God’s business anyway.

One of the early church fathers, Origen, got condemned for believing in reincarnation. So the rejection of such a philosophy took place early in the church. When one has the Sacrament of Reconciliation, there is no need for reincarnation, because that which we would have needed to fix in another life is taken care of.

As for Charismatics, I don’t see how getting involved in such would help your case.

I can sympathize with you to a certain extent. Instead of bewailing your isolation, turn it to the good of both yourself and others. As St John of the Cross said, “Dwell in the Sacred Heart of Jesus as in a desert.”

Talk to Jesus about it: http://savior.org/

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/

 

[SeekerofChrist]

Why would God reincarnate people if they can’t remember their past life? They would just endlessly cycling for no reason. I believe God would rather create new souls than cycle old ones. The good, old souls would then be at rest. I think many people believe in reincarnation because it is interesting, or they don’t want to accept dying.
I hope this helped.

 

[Asthmalady]

@asthmalady, you’re what we refer to as an Intuitive. If you’ve not read the Imitation of Christ, The Introduction to the Devout Life, and the Three Stages (Ages?) of the Interior Life (not sure I got that title right), I would highly recommend them.

Ok, thank you.

 

[QwertyGirl]

Why would God reincarnate people if they can’t remember their past life? They would just endlessly cycling for no reason. I believe God would rather create new souls than cycle old ones. The good, old souls would then be at rest. I think many people believe in reincarnation because it is interesting, or they don’t want to accept dying.
I hope this helped.

Many believe in recarnation because they believe in the concept that our soul is embodied to learn. If we don’t learn everything we need to in this life, we will continue learning in the next. Eventually, our soul will reach a level of enlightenment that will allow it to be elevated to the next level, whatever that is (some people claim to know, others don’t claim to know but believe, some don’t believe at all). The people I know who believe in reincarnation are far less afraid of death than people of other beliefs. They don’t look at it as a “do-over”, but rather as a “next stage” of spiritual existence.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

It’s possible media introduced this idea to you as a preschooler, tv , radio, print media, or you overheard some type of conversation.
You are not sure if you spoke of it, so there is doubt there.

I don’t understand how you cannot be an authentic lector, You have doubts. Many people have doubts. St Thomas had doubts. I feel you are being too hard on yourself.

God does not work the way we expect or hope. God will not be showing you reincarnation is a truth , because reincarnation is not a truth of the Church. If you truly believe you are being shown this as truth, I put forward you are being deceived into false doctrine by the prince of lies.
Knowing this is a truth you would never be shown, it is to be rejected. Pope Francis tells us not to dialogue with the devil.
Reject what comes from falsehood and run to God.

Being a grown adult , married , why are people saying to an adult married woman she has a problem with authority and exactly who is saying this and in what context? For example are you upholding the legal law of your land ?

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Please change that post to reflect the fact I did not write the first paragraph of that grab you quoted please.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

If we truly love God and reject satan, we must live God’s Law. That means if we can walk on water, but God says no, then we reject walking on water.

The Bible and God’s Commandments tell us clearly to reject anything ‘psychic’. Our biggest example of obedience comes from the Marian apparitions. The Blessed Virgin tells those she appears to, they must be obedient to their religious superiors.

We can and do pray, satan still tries to deceive us. We must reject what God tells us to reject.

 

[ChristMyLife]

And I’m curious about where I mentioned delving into the new age or new age activities? I believed in reincarnation before I ever looked at an eastern religion.

Sounds like something the devil planted in your mind to give you doubts about the Christian faith…

I don’t mean to insult you and hope you don’t take it that way, but that would be my explanation.