Reincarnation:
Fact or Fantasy?
Overview
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•
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Scientific Evidence
Logical Analysis
Philosophical Basis
Scriptural Explanation
Soul in the Body
“The
brain
is
a
computer…But
it
is
programmed
by
something that is outside
itself.”
Dr. Wilder Penfield – Canadian surgeon, Noble Laureate
Past-life memories
Four types of evidences:
•
•
•
•
Dr. Ian Stevenson
- BG 2.22
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 inclinations,
habits, fears etc.
•Differing abilities
and talents
•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)

Famous Quotes
"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)
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
• Jnana – Understanding
the self, the world, and God
How to
break out
•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?
Story & Significance
The Ramayana: historical fact not mythology • Bala Khandha
• Ayodhya Khandha
• Aranya Khandha
• Kishkindha Khandha
• Yuddha Khandha
Story & Significance
Diwali 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