“My aim has never been to prove reincarnation, but only to find and report whatever evidence there is to make it seem possible.” Dr. Ian Stevenson.
Ian Stevenson 1918-2007 University of Virginia School of Medicine, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry 1957-1967, Carlson Professor of Psychiatry from 1967 to 2001 and Research Professor of Psychiatry from 2002-2007.
According to Stevenson, “actual life memories may need a vehicle in order to emerge into the conscious mind, and the mind with its enormous range of powers creates a fictitious previous life to enable the delivery of real memories. Such a procedure may to some extent be correlated with a dream process. A few items of memory from a real previous life may become separated in some way and attracted to a fictitious previous life that is created by the mind. The outcome is the narration of an apparently coherent previous life”.
Rather than outline Dr. Stevenson’s work, I feel it is more important to view what others in the academic community have said about him.
In all his works, Stevenson adhered to the strictest standards of scientific exploration, including the collection and interpretation of data.
On reviewing his book, the Cases of the Reincarnation Type (1975), The Journal of the American Medical Association states: a "painstaking and unemotional" collection of cases that were "difficult to explain on any assumption other than reincarnation.”
In the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, September 1977, psychiatrist Harold Lief described Stevenson as a methodical investigator and added, "Either he is making a colossal mistake, or he will be known (I have said as much to him) as 'the Galileo of the 20th century.”
Doris Kuhlman-Wilsdorf, Medal for Excellence in Research of the American Society of Engineering Education (1965 and 1966), Heyn Medal of the German Society of Materials Science 1988, University of Virginia professor of Physics and Materials Science…
Kuhlman-Wilsdorf surmised that Stevenson’s work had established that “the statistical probability that reincarnation does in fact occur is so overwhelming … that, cumulatively, the evidence is not inferior to that for most if not all branches of science.”
Robert F. Almeder, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Georgia State University…
In the following video, Dr. Almeder examines the logic of believing, or not believing, evidence for reincarnation, like that provided by Dr. Stevenson. His discussion suggests contemplation, without automatically accepting or dismissing the evidence.
A video review of the book “Twenty cases Suggestive of Reincarnation” is found at:
Below is a summation of this video:
Almeder states that there is a force to the case studies that is enticing, enthralling! He says “it must be wrong” but that, the more he read, the more he realized the importance.
He states this is good empirical research -it rendered a scientific question- and he could not think of any other alternative or plausible explanation for the data that some people reincarnate. If the data is acceptable, it shows our way of explaining human behaviour has to break out of the existing paradigm.
Reincarnation: An Exploration of Beliefs and Evidence
Reincarnation, a concept that has intrigued humanity for millennia, refers to the philosophical or religious belief that the soul or spirit begins a new life in a new body after biological death. This doctrine is prevalent in various cultures and religions, particularly in Eastern philosophies such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In contrast, many Western religions like Christianity and Islam largely reject this idea. This article aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of reincarnation, including its historical roots, religious interpretations, and contemporary research.
Historical Context
The notion of reincarnation can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The earliest documented discussions appear in Indian texts around the 6th century BCE, where it is referred to as "samsara," the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth governed by karma1. In Greek philosophy, thinkers such as Pythagoras and Plato also entertained ideas akin to reincarnation or metempsychosis2. These early philosophical inquiries laid the groundwork for later theological developments across various cultures.
Religious Perspectives
Hinduism
In Hinduism, reincarnation is intricately linked with the concepts of karma and dharma. The Bhagavad Gita articulates that the soul (atman) is eternal and undergoes cycles of birth and rebirth based on one's actions (karma) in previous lives3. Good deeds may lead to a favorable rebirth, while negative actions can result in less desirable forms of existence. The ultimate goal is moksha—liberation from this cycle—achieved through self-realization and understanding one's true nature4.
Buddhism
Buddhism presents a unique perspective on reincarnation by rejecting the notion of an eternal soul. Instead, it posits that what continues from one life to another is a stream of consciousness influenced by karma5. The process known as "punarbhava" emphasizes becoming rather than being; thus, each life is seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth until enlightenment (nirvana) is attained6.
Jainism
Jain philosophy also embraces reincarnation but emphasizes strict adherence to non-violence (ahimsa) and truthfulness as pathways to liberation. Jains believe that souls are trapped in cycles of rebirth due to accumulated karma from past actions7. The ultimate aim is to achieve liberation (moksha) through ethical living and spiritual discipline.
Sikhism
Sikh teachings incorporate elements of reincarnation but focus on devotion (bhakti) towards God as a means to escape the cycle of rebirth. Sikhs believe that good deeds lead to better incarnations while sinful actions result in lower forms of existence8. Ultimately, merging with God represents liberation from this cycle.
Western Religions
In contrast to Eastern beliefs, major Western religions like Christianity and Islam generally reject reincarnation. Christianity teaches resurrection rather than rebirth; souls are judged once after death for eternal placement in heaven or hell9. Similarly, Islamic doctrine asserts that individuals live only one earthly life before facing judgment on the Day of Resurrection10. However, some sects within these religions entertain notions similar to reincarnation.
Contemporary Research on Reincarnation
Modern scientific inquiry into reincarnation has gained traction through case studies documenting children's claims of past-life memories. Dr. Ian Stevenson at the University of Virginia conducted extensive research over several decades involving thousands of cases where children reported memories consistent with deceased individuals' lives11. His findings often included verifiable details about these individuals' lives that were unknown to the children at the time.
Despite skepticism regarding anecdotal evidence surrounding these claims,12 researchers like Jim Tucker continue Stevenson's work by investigating cases across diverse cultural contexts.13 Critics argue that such accounts may stem from psychological phenomena rather than genuine past-life recollections; however, proponents assert they provide compelling insights into consciousness beyond conventional understandings.
Conclusion
Reincarnation remains a complex topic interwoven with philosophical inquiry and religious belief systems across cultures. While Eastern traditions embrace it as a fundamental aspect of existence aimed at spiritual evolution, Western perspectives often dismiss it outright. Contemporary research continues exploring this enigmatic phenomenon through empirical studies that challenge traditional views on consciousness and identity.
As humanity seeks deeper understanding regarding life after death—whether through spiritual practices or scientific investigation—the discourse surrounding reincarnation will likely persist as both a profound mystery and an essential component of human experience.
AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES
Taliaferro C., Draper P., Philip L., Quinn A. Companion to Philosophy of Religion. John Wiley & Sons; 2010.↩
Obeyesekere G. Imagining Karma: Ethical Transformation in Amerindian, Buddhist, and Greek Rebirth. University of California Press; 2002.↩
Bhaktivedanta Swami AC. Bhagavad Gita As It Is. New York: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust; 1989.↩
Gupta CB. Adwaita Rahasya. New Delhi: MacMillan India Ltd; 2000.↩
Williams P., Tribe A. Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. Routledge; 2000.↩
Walpola R., What the Buddha Taught; Gordon Fraser Limited; 1990.↩
Mehta TU., Path of arhat: A religious democracy pujya sohanalala smaraka parsvantha sodhapitha; 1993.↩
Rao KB., Vedanta and Sikhism In: Raghavachar SS., Rao KB., editors.Guru Nanak His Life and Teachings. Mysore: University of Mysore; 1971.↩
MacGregor G., Reincarnation in Christianity: A New Vision of the Role of Rebirth in Christian Thought.↩
Alfahim AR., Chapter on Doomsday in The 200 Hadith.↩
Stevenson I., Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation. University Press; 1974.↩
Edwards P., Critique on Reincarnation Claims.↩
Tucker J.B., Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children’s Memories of Previous Lives.↩
