IS REINCARNATION SO?
In the unltimate sense, reincarnation is impossible. There is no past or future,
and the idea of birth into a body has no meaning either once or many times.
Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our only question should
be, "Is the concept helpful?" And that depends, of course, on what it is used for.
If it is used to strengthenthe recognition of the eternal nature of life, it is helpful
indeed. Is any other question about the reality useful in lighting up the way? Like
many other beliefs, it can be bitterly misused. At least such misuse offers pre-
occupation and perhaps pride in the past. At worst, it induces inertia in the present.
In between, many kinds of folly are possible.
Reincarnation would not, under any circumstances, be the problem to be dealt with
now. If it were responsible for some of the difficulties the individual faces now, his
task would still be only to escape from them now. If he is laying the groundwork for
a future life, he can still work out his salvation only now. To some, there may be
confort in the concept, and if it heartens them its value is self-evident. It is certain,
however, that the way to salvation can be found by those who believe in reincarnation
and by those who do not. The idea cannot, therefore, be regarded as essetial to the
curriculum. There is always some risk in seeing the present in terms of the past. There
is always some good in any thought which strenghtens the idea that life and the body
are not the same.
For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand in reincarnation. A
teacher of God should be as helpful to those who believe in it as to those who do not.
If a definite stand were required of him, it would merely limit his usefulness, as well as
his own decision-making. Our course is not concerned with any concept that is not
acceptable to anyone, regardless of his formal beliefs. His ego will be enough for him
to cope with, and it is not the part of wisdom to add sectarian controversis to his burdens.
Nor would there be an advantage in his premature acceptance of the course merely
because it advocates a long-held belief of his own.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that this course aims at a complete reversal of
thought. When this is finally accomplished, issues such as the validity of reincarnation
become meaningless. Until then, they are likely to be merely controversial. The teacher
of God is, therefore, wist to step away from all such questions, for he has to teach and
learn apart from them. He should both learn and teach that theoretical issues but waste
time, draining it away from its appointed purpose. If there are aspects to any concept or
belief that will be helpful, he will be told about it. He will also be told how to use it. What
more need he know?
Does this mean that the teacher of God should not believe in reincarntion himself, or
discuss it with others who do? The answer is, certainly not! If he does believe in rein-
carnation, it would be a mistake for him to renounce the belief unless his internal
Teacher so advised. And this is most unlikely. He might be advised that he is misusing
the belief in some way that is detrimental to his pupil´s advance or his own. Reinterpretation
would then be recommended, because it is necessary. All that must be recognized, however,
is that birth was not the beginning, and death is not the end. Yet even this much is not
required of the beginner. He need merely accept the idea that what he knows is not necessarily
all there is to learn. His journey has begun.
The emphasis of this course always remains the same; - it is at this moment that complete
salvation is offered you, and it is at this moment that you can accept it. This is still your one
responsibility. Atonement might be equated with total escape from the past and total lack of
interest in the future. Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no
other time. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God´s teachers. All beliefs
will point to this if properly interpreted. In this sense, it can be said that their truth lies in their
usefulness. All beliefs that lead to progress should be honored. This is the sole criterion this
course requires. No more than this is necessary.
Love
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