Reincarnation

The thing about reincarnation that intrigues me is memory, or memories, specifically. If I can reincarnate into a different species, or what the hell, come right back here as yet another human with no memory of my previous life, it’s fine. I’ll reincarnate until the universe dries up and blows away. I just don’t want to have to live with the memories of this life, and my past lives too. Imagine discovering that this is the truth – we do reincarnate and carry no memory of past traumas. What then?

There is an interview on YouTube with Dr Neal de Grasse Tyson, about the possibility of the afterlife. He said something that I thought is really relevant, that he carries absolutely no recollection of being conscious in any form in a past existence during which time he felt a strong need to hurry up and begin his life here on Earth. That may sound ridiculous, but it makes sense to me. One past life, or a thousand, if their memories are erased at death, what’s the big deal? If we reincarnate with no previous memories, bring it on. Eventually, the law of averages dictates that at some point, a life that agrees with us will present itself, and goddamn, I’m ready as hell for one of those, you know?

I can’t say that I don’t believe in reincarnation. It’s an intriguing concept, but like every other theory about life and afterlife, it’s only a theory, and the day will come when we all know the truth. It’s a rather large universe. Why is it here? Why so much space, so many galaxies, planets, stars? What if I reincarnated on a planet inhabited by a species 180 degrees out of phase with humanity, and found myself in a situation in which I prospered spiritually and mentally, and loved being alive? Doubtful, but isn’t that many of us dream of as we spend our days waiting to die here?