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Ian Stevenson did a lot of research about this in his work at UVA. He found that certain people had birth marks that seemed to directly relate to a previous lifetime. He cataloged these cases, and wrote about them in peer reviewed journals.
However, when we look at the reincarnation cases of Dr. Jim Tucker (one of his students) or Carol Bowman (another of his students) they don’t seem to focus on those physical characteristics. Since a person would have little or no influence over genetics of a person they might choose to reincarnate into, it’s unusual to hear that those “markings” do occur in some individuals.
For example, a person who was shot may have a mole or marking in the same spot or pattern that the injury occurred (according to Stevenson’s research). Since what I’ve been seeing in the research is that we “choose” our next incarnation (people under deep hypnosis claiming that we choose who we’re going to be the next time around) it seems unusual that they would “bring along” the “energetic pattern” of something that occurred to them in the past. To what end? As a reminder? Or is it something to do with the energy of that previous lifetime?
That takes us into the world of theoretical epigenetics - the idea that fear or other strong emotions can be passed along to offspring. If the idea that fear can be passed along the DNA trail, can fear (or the reactions from fear) be passed along from lifetime to lifetime? That would be theoretically logical - but doesn’t make sense if a person is “choosing” their next lifetime (which is what the thousands of people say about the process.)
So on one hand, Stevenson’s research shows that people are capable of “carrying with them certain markings” into their next lifetime, but there’s no clear logic as to why they would do that. In essence, Stevenson’s research shows that its possible, but then asks the question, “why would that be the case?”
In the research that includes what people say under deep hypnosis about reincarnation, people claim to incarnate in different bodies, different sexes, different countries, different circumstances altogether… but for them to bring along “a memory” of that previous lifetime in some kind of energetic pattern is worth examining as to how or why that would be. My two cents.
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Vedanta teaches the highest devotion to God. Bhakti is more than a little sentimentality. It is the path of systematized devotion for the attainment of union with the Absolute. It is the easiest and the surest path to realization. Through prayer and love and devotion the bhakta reaches the superconscious state, the state of samadhi. Bhakti in its highest stages melts into jnana. Both the bhakta and the jnani are lovers of Truth, of that Truth which is God. Love cannot come without knowledge. And knowledge of God cannot be without love. There are little souls who worship God for reward, or to escape punishment, or who, when in distress, go to Him for consolation. But these are in the lower stages of bhakti. This is the very beginning of bhakti. It is not to be condemned, but we must understand that these devotions gradually will make room for a more unselfish love, love free from selfish motive, devoid of all idea of gain. Prayer is very necessary for the bhakta. He prays to Bhagavan, that He may cut our bonds.
But we cannot all be of the highest type. And Bhagavan speaks words of encouragement and advice to all, to everyone, in whatever stage of bhakti he may be. And in the chapter 12 of Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavan Sri Krishna points out the different methods to select from. If one way does not suit, then try another, or still another. It does not matter. All are dear to Me, but all do not want Me. Those who want Me are very dear to Me, and they are very close to Me. They partake of My very nature. They are the Spirit of My Spirit and parts of My Being. And they realize it. In samadhi they taste that blissful union.
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OWN SONG PRAYER RITUAL
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People who can predict the behaviour of others have higher personal intelligence, research finds.
Two other signs of high personal intelligence are self-motivation and being able to anticipate desires.
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Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. - Lord Buddha
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The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small. - Lao Tzu
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VK RETRMNT AGE
After delaying the decision because of stalling life expectancy, Stride said it would still have to be taken, but it would probably be one for his successor in the job and that people would still get 10 years of notice.
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Broccoli sprouts demonstrated their powerful detoxifying ability by rapidly enhancing elimination of benzene, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde, three common airborne pollutants
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Mother is as silent and faithful as the source Noon, wind blowing the sand along an empty beach Regardless of the rains and raging storms mother is still there, peaceful as the breath.
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sulking is a marvellous example of intense communication without clear declaration
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The true bhakta knows no fear. He worships because he loves to worship. He is not driven by fear. When he worships, he knows what he is doing. It is not blind worship. Love and knowledge are consolidated in his devotion. And therefore he stands on firm ground. First let me know the Truth and then, if I wish, I shall worship. Not in obedience to others, not in imitation, but because I am firmly convinced that bhakti is true happiness. The bhakta as well as the jnani is devoted to Truth. They both love Truth and they both become united with Truth. Such a bhakta stands immovable like the Himalayas. He cannot be swayed by every breeze that blows about him. His bhakti is his life. He cannot give it up. It has become part of himself. Even unconsciously he worships. He does not re quire any external forms or rites. Love is in his heart. There Bhagavan dwells constantly, and he never forgets it. He always remembers his beloved Bhagavan.
The twelfth chapter of Bhagavad Gita is called the chapter on Bhakti Yoga, or The Path of Devotion. It is short, but is very much liked by the devo tees. It is very pleasing to them. Especially beautiful is the end of this chapter, when Bhagavan Sri Krishna gives a description of the true bhakta, who is so dear to Him. How ignorant are the people who criticize Vedanta and the Hindu religion in general as being devoid of morals! What higher ethics can we find in any scriptures? What higher code of morality can we conceive of than that given in the last part of the twelfth chapter? Not to hate any being, to be kind to all, to be free from selfishness and egotism, unmoved by praise and censure, contented and steady-minded, following God’s commands and be entirely de voted to Him – the man who embodies these qualities is a holy man in deed. And such a man, Bhagavan says, is dear to Him. He is a true bhakta.
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