Reincarnation: Fact or Fantasy?

Overview

• Scientific Evidence• Logical Analysis• Philosophical Basis• Scriptural Explanation

Soul in the Body

Dr. Wilder Penfield – Canadian surgeon, Noble Laureate

“The brain is a computer…But it is programmed by something that is outside itself.”

Famous Works by Professor Stevenson

Past-life memories

Dr. Ian Stevenson

- BG 2.22

Four types of evidences:• Recollections• Recognitions• Behaviors• Birthmarks

The Case of Mushir Ali Shah

• Naresh Kumar • Unknown Location• Unknown People

• Liking

Answering life’s questions• Multiplicity of forms and circumstances

• Differing abilities and talents

• Differing inclinations, habits, fears etc.

• Problem of evil

JUST CHANCE?

Famous Quotes

"There is no death. How can there be death if everything is part of the Godhead? The soul never dies and the body is never really alive." (Isaac Bashevis Singer)

"I know I am deathless. No doubt I have died myself ten thousand times before. I laugh at what you call dissolution, and I know the amplitude of time." (Walt Whitman)

"I did not begin when I was born, nor when I was conceived. I have been growing, developing, through incalculable myriads of millenniums. All my previous selves have their voices, echoes, promptings in me. Oh, incalculable times again shall I be born." (Jack London, The Star Rover)

"I look upon death to be as necessary to the constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning." (Benjamin Franklin)

Famous Quotes

What is reincarnation?“The process of coming into flesh again”

2) Discontinuous Reincarnation

• Reincarnation to another chapter of existence

• Changing bodies like changing clothes

• Scientific Evidence• Logical Analysis• Philosophical Basis• Scriptural

Explanation

Which body next?• Desires, aspirations and goals in life• Our activities - Karma

How to break out

• Jnana – Understandingthe self, the world, and God

• Vijnana – Realising such knowledge, and acting by it

Conclusion

Spiritual life means:• Transformation of consciousness• Don’t have to give anything up – just aim it correctly

Diwali

Arguments / doubts / questions• Is there any scientific evidence for it or is it just

a belief?

• If I had a past life why don’t I remember it? And if I can’t remember it what’s the point of reincarnation?

• If reincarnation is true why is the population increasing?

• Isn’t reincarnation just a comforting idea, so you don’t have to worry so much about death?

• Why doesn’t God just take us out of the situation?

• What are the different destination of the soul?

Story & Significance

• Bala Khandha

• Ayodhya Khandha

• Aranya Khandha

• Kishkindha Khandha

• Yuddha Khandha

The Ramayana: historical fact not mythology -

Story & SignificanceDiwali is the story of:- light over darkness- good over bad- knowledge over illusion

“Enlightenment over blind faith, prosperity over poverty, knowledge over ignorance, good health and well being over disease and ill health, and freedom over bondage.“

- Nelson Mandela