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Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Rimban: Prevalence of reincarnation
By Erwin Rimban
"THOSE who have come through the fire will not fade in the Sun." - Hindu Proverb
IT IS the purpose of our pilgrimage today to assert the prevalence of the concept of reincarnation in both the spiritual traditions of the East and the West. Reincarnation is a ubiquitous concept that is surprisingly shared by many cultures, traditions and belief systems. It was a concept that was known by the Greek philosophical masters like Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Most of Greek spirituality can be traced to the teachings of the master Pythagoras, who was a musician, mathematician and mystic, truly one of the great figures in the pageant of world history. Pythagoreanism combined a love for music and mathematics and they wove it into an elegant spiritual tradition that combined elements of the rational masculine mind as well as the intuitive feminine mind.
From the teachings of the venerable master Pythagoras come the brilliance of later illuminated torchbearers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Plato, the champion of Idealism and Aristotle, the champion of Realism, actually drink from the same philosophical tree. They are both initiates in Divine Wisdom but emphasize two different streams of acknowledging that wisdom. Putting it in another way, both of these Greek philosophers know of the ancient arts because they are both immersed in the Pythagorean tradition, which ultimately issue from the mystery schools of Ancient Egypt. It is said that the brilliant Classical Greeks acquired all their knowledge from the feet of the Ancient Egyptians.
The great Celtic civilization also demonstrates knowledge of the ancient arts of wisdom in great measure. In many ways, the Celtic Druids are among the greatest learners of all time. Imagine, they memorized the plethora of knowledge systems in twenty or more years of learning. This is an astounding feat that should mesmerize modern learners. Yet, it is not at all surprising because we know from our world history that the oral tradition antedated the written one. How powerful must be the minds of the Celtic Druids, who mastered both the exoteric and esoteric disciplines! They viewed nature holistically too. We can say that the Celtic peoples are among the most ecological in the history of the planet Earth. This amazing race of peoples believed in reincarnation.
Now to the Hindus, who are among the most elevated in the realms of spiritual thought. The Vedas are a veritable mine of knowledge, insight and wisdom in many spheres of thought. In the Bhagavad Gita can be found teachings about Divine Wisdom, Ultimate Reality and Absolute Truth that can satisfy the spiritually hungry. I am very proud to say that my hardbound Bhagavad Gita sits on my personal library shelf, spiritual section, alongside my Holy Bible. A true marriage of spiritual minds, East and West. And I think that this is a habit I would like to share with you, my dear readers. Make a habit of synthesizing the spiritual insights of the both the Eastern and Western religious and mystical traditions. Do not just confine yourself to one tradition. Knowledge is now available to everyone. Use it and thereby acquire wisdom. The Bhagavad Gita is a great source for learning the theory of reincarnation. But the Upanishads may be the greatest spiritual products of Hindu spirituality. I believe that the Upanishads are an exceptional learning tool for those exploring reincarnation.
The concept of reincarnation is also taught in Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism and in the Bon faith, considered a close relative of Buddhism itself. Reincarnation is so prevalent that spiritual masters of various lands, cultures and mystical traditions have taught it at one time or another. Who are these? Siberian shamans. Celtic Druids. Greek philosophers. Neoplatonist mystics. Qaballah masters. Polynesian healers. Rune masters. Egyptian initiates. Hindu Yogis. European astrologers. Taoist alchemists. Buddhist monks. Tarot readers. Wicca practitioners. Persian numerologists. Sufi mystics. Jain masters. Zen Buddhists. Name it and they teach it! Thus, Western scientists and practicing psychologists must not take the concept of reincarnation very lightly. It is one of the central concepts in the combined spirituality of the East and the West.
Going through the cycle of rebirth is like going through the ring of fire. It shapes the soul, hardens it and mellows it at the same time. The goal of reincarnation is perfection. The cycles of rebirth are perfect learning tools for the soul to assimilate the gems of wisdom acquired in various lifetimes, synthesize these insights and integrate them into its very essence. Those who undergo the fires of reincarnation will not fade in the sun of Oneness.
Learners in the spiritual path, do not fear reincarnation. Accept it as an engine for growth. Know that immersion in the shadows of the universe will cause the soul to reach higher and higher for the star of perfection, the realm of Absolute Truth. For comments and inquiries, my email is wizardspen@yahoo.com. Let us bath our intellect in this beautiful Gnostic Culdee verse:
"Out of a Timeless World
Shadows fall upon time.
From a beauty older than earth
A ladder the soul may climb.
I climb by Fionn's Stair
To a whiteness older than time."
(September 20, 2005 issue)
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