Do You Believe In Reincarnation Or Transmigration?

[Harry Haller]

There ain't no preaching dude.

You write definitively, confidently, you use capitals and bold fonts to make points, I beg to differ

I said the guru's message was not to confirm the possibility of any reincarnation or not. BUT to reinforce the reminder that we have this One life to make the difference via some efforts o our behalf.

and how do you know this? do you have a hotline to God? this is purely your understanding nothing more. I have no problem with your understanding, I have a huge problem with anyone definitively stating that they know the truth.

You think you are merged then, I assume ?
Doesn't that mean you are jivan mukht ??

yes, I think I am merged, Creator is in everything, including dogshit, so I dare say if a dogshit contains Creator then so must do I, I have no interest in Jivan mukht. Is this some other secret squirrel club only available to the chosen ones?

We are talking about jivan mukht here and how the other descriptions of other documented mukti fit around it- there is info on the appropriate mukti threads. I would suggest a little read and try understand who says what and why they say it.

Why? I have no wish to be like those that spend all their lives seeking mukti, I can be free today if I wish, right now, this very second, freedom comes with living by the truth, rather than sticking your thumbs in your ears and mumbling.

I've discussed the EGO earlier and I have made it clear

oh here we go again, Luckyji has made it clear for all of us, what we do without you...

If there are no esoteric layers in sikhi, then what do metaphors explain ?

the metaphors in bani are reasonably easy to decipher in my opinion, the SGGS was, after all, written for the common man to understand, when you talk of esoteric layers, you suggest something much more different, much more sinister, whose hidden layer is the correct hidden layer, should we stop people that don't believe in our hidden layer from reading any further, maybe one should be born into a particular line of folk that have the correct hidden layer before one is allowed to read?

btw.. I am not going to proceed in any further 'school playground' antics of ''my dad is tougher than yours'' or ''mine is the biggest because .......

no, this is different, its spontaneous, its called wit

 

[Luckysingh]

I'm through with the childish nonsense.
It's childish and there is no wit, and i don;t need any wit.
None of us are progressing or learning, so it's better for me to go else where and carry on.
I don't need a hot line because he calls me, or should I say i can hear him calling me, providing I tune in correctly.

only the super secret squirrels know about it as they use the secret currency.

adios

 

[Sherdil]

Sherdil ji:

"If passionate action is taken to alleviate the suffering of others, then it is a selfless act. No karma accrued."

The problem with that is it incurs attachments to the results along with expectations which are obstacles to self-realization. Acts should be performed without attachments and expectations.

"To put this into Hindu terminology: The atman (consciousness) is part of the Supreme Brahman (Ik Oankar). Whatever actions it does, is willed by the Supreme Brahman. They are one and the same."

This depends on what level of consciousness you are talking about. The atman is not physical body, emotions, external mind or personality. The atman is eternal, what continues after physical death, the transcendent Self God within.

What does Sikh philosophy say about the destination of the soul or atman of a person who does not live in consonance of with the times and lives an adharmic life? You all do not believe in a hell do you?

Satyaban ji,

I go back to the Ramayana. Lord Rama moved heaven and earth to get Sita back from the clutches of Ravan. When he succeeded, he discovered that Sita was pregnant, so he banished her. When she was no more, he realized his mistake and entered the river Yamuna, from which he returned to his heavenly abode.

Lord Rama's actions were fueled by passion. They were knee-jerk reactions. He was completely attached and invested in the outcome of his actions. How then did he escape the cycle of birth and death and merge with the Supreme Brahman?

Had there not been Kshatriyas like Lord Rama, who were invested in the outcome of this world, the demons would have destroyed Dharma long ago. This is why Guru Gobind Singh ji stated "When all peaceful means have failed, it is righteous to draw the sword".

You have stated that the atman is eternal, it is the transcendent Self-God within. It continues on after physical death. This is precisely what I am saying. The atman is a part of the Supreme Brahman that has been separated from Him by the material world. Sikhi provides a way for the atman to overcome the barrier of the material world, and merge with the Supreme Brahman during this life.

Heaven and hell are experienced in this life, depending on the actions one takes. Hell is experienced when the atman is far from the Supreme Brahman. "Karmi aapoh aapni, kaey nedhe kaey dhoor". By the karma of one's actions, some come closer to Him, while others drift further away.

 

[Satyaban]

Sherdil ji,

The Ramayana is a story about a heroic king who was depicted as the perfect man, but it is a story and not scripture, yet full of metaphors.

The Vedas say to be desireless and the Patanjali yoga sutras say to be unattached to anything in this temporal ever changing world so I will accept that.

There are few exceptions to do harm in the practice of ahimsa and defense is one.

Let me ask you again, "What happens to the atman if a person fails to achieve the goals of the Sikh philosophy?"

 

[Ambarsaria]

Sherdil ji thanks for your contributions and posts in this thread. I have a comment regarding the following,

....
A thief may find himself in prison. It's his own actions that put him there.

But then we can't act against Hukam. So it was his destiny to end up in prison. ..

It appears you are somehow presenting that stealing is against some absolute truth (hukam) in creation. We need to recognize that hukam is unwavering without regard for time or people or other life forms. I am sure there is land or collection of thieves where no one ends up in a jail. Sending people to jail is a human concept and may not have a 100% relationship to hukam. Look around you and spot thieves who never go to jail! Some will say the one in jail is because of karma and another not in jail is due to karma as well. Many a times it is a matter of getting caught, having good lawyers, etc. Stealing is a triviality in terms of any relationship to hukam. As a matter of fact many an action fall in similar space. Karma (as well as destiny) as an argument presented in this thread is logically devoid and basically void. I will comment further separately on that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAU5MTXmAPY#aid=P8KO6-4CTvQ

Cuckoo did not go to bird jail, got charged for stealing, destruction of life, being squatter in another's property, etc!

Sat Sri Akal.

 

[angrisha]

Sherdil ji,

The Ramayana is a story about a heroic king who was depicted as the perfect man, but it is a story and not scripture, yet full of metaphors.

The Vedas say to be desireless and the Patanjali yoga sutras say to be unattached to anything in this temporal ever changing world so I will accept that.

There are few exceptions to do harm in the practice of ahimsa and defense is one.

Let me ask you again, "What happens to the atman if a person fails to achieve the goals of the Sikh philosophy?"

This probably my take, but i dont think there really are any set goals that one can take. SGGS is not a recipe book which all the indgretaints have to be added in order to achieve an end. Invariabily bani teaches us (me) that the path is hard to replicate.

The goals or suggestions such as 'simran' are like guide posts not absolute. If person or any jee is able to reach that mirged state.... ppl interpret it as no matter what you are release from your body... after that there is no clear cut explinatin (or if there is one I choose it ignore it).... thus the whole point, which even during katha ive herad said so many times.... you cant worry about whats going to happen in the future because you have no idea whats going to be there, live and make your practice now..... if you can find that contenment and connection now.... the future will sort ts self out.

Just my opion.

 

[Sherdil]

Satyaban ji,

There are many Hindus who believe Lord Rama was God. He is worshipped as such. You say he is just a symbol of the perfect man, yet his actions were imperfect. Why then does Hinduism promote this figure as the perfect man / god, when his actions do not reflect what is taught in the Vedas?

Let it be known, that I have no reverence for Lord Rama. I have mentioned him, in the same manner in which he is mentioned in gurbani: An imperfect figure that was subservient to Akal, who was utilized to explain gurbani to a Hindu audience.

I thought I was clear in answering your highlighted question. Liberation is felt when we are close to Akal, and Hell is felt when we are far from Him. I previously stated that those who become one with the Truth will live on, after this physical life, because the Truth is timeless. What is True will always be True. Those who are not able to realize this truth will come and go, like the rest of this transient world.

I recognize my limitations as a mortal, and do not pretend to know more about the afterlife than this. You and some other people have put forth theories on Maya's various qualities and how Karma is created and distributed. However, you should realize that having such knowledge will not set you free, unless He has showered His grace upon you. As a mortal, you cannot do anything unless He has willed it. I humbly put forth the following shabadh:


This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji on Pannaa 4

theerathh thap dhaeiaa dhath dhaan ||
Pilgrimages, austere discipline, compassion and charity

jae ko paavai thil kaa maan ||
these, by themselves, bring only an iota of merit.

suniaa ma(n)niaa man keethaa bhaao ||
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind,

a(n)tharagath theerathh mal naao ||
cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.

sabh gun thaerae mai naahee koe ||
All virtues are Yours, Lord, I have none at all.

vin gun keethae bhagath n hoe ||
Without virtue, there is no devotional worship.

suasath aathh baanee baramaao ||
I bow to the Lord of the World, to His Word, to Brahma the Creator.

sath suhaan sadhaa man chaao ||
He is Beautiful, True and Eternally Joyful.

kavan s vaelaa vakhath kavan kavan thhith kavan vaar ||
What was that time, and what was that moment? What was that day, and what was that date?

kavan s ruthee maahu kavan jith hoaa aakaar ||
What was that season, and what was that month, when the Universe was created?

vael n paaeeaa pa(n)ddathee j hovai laekh puraan ||
The Pandits, the religious scholars, cannot find that time, even if it is written in the Puraanas.

vakhath n paaeiou kaadheeaa j likhan laekh kuraan ||
That time is not known to the Qazis, who study the Koran.

thhith vaar naa jogee jaanai ruth maahu naa koee ||
The day and the date are not known to the Yogis, nor is the month or the season.

jaa karathaa sirat(h)ee ko saajae aapae jaanai soee ||
The Creator who created this creation-only He Himself knows.

kiv kar aakhaa kiv saalaahee kio varanee kiv jaanaa ||
How can we speak of Him? How can we praise Him? How can we describe Him? How can we know Him?

naanak aakhan sabh ko aakhai eik dhoo eik siaanaa ||
O Nanak, everyone speaks of Him, each one wiser than the rest.

vaddaa saahib vaddee naaee keethaa jaa kaa hovai ||
Great is the Master, Great is His Name. Whatever happens is according to His Will.

naanak jae ko aapa jaanai agai gaeiaa n sohai ||21||
O Nanak, one who claims to know everything shall not be decorated in the world hereafter. ||21||

 

[Satyaban]

Sherdil ji,

Devotees of Vishnu believe Rama to be an incarnation of Vishnu as they do with Krishna and maybe 7 or 8 others. As the Ramayana illustrates Vishnu takes human form when dharma must be restored.

I am a Saivite and we don't believe The Creator ever took human form but we have many shared beliefs, It may prove difficult to find two "Hindus", I am not fond of this word, who agree on everything.

"Those who are not able to realize this truth will come and go, like the rest of this transient world."

I see, if someone does not believe the soul is without beginning nor end there can be no cause for consideration of reincarnation.

This is something the Vedas say concerning reincarnation:

"After death, the soul goes to the next world bearing in mind the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping their harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who has desires continues subject to rebirth."

The Satguru I cited earlier has this to say:
"Through the ages, reincarnation has been the great consoling element within Hinduism, eliminating the fear of death, explaining why one person is born a genius and another an idiot. We are not the body in which we live but the immortal soul which inhabits many bodies in its evolutionary journey through samsara. After death we continue to exist in unseen worlds, enjoying or suffering the harvest of earthly deeds until it comes time for yet another physical rebirth. Because certain karmas can be resolved only in the physical world, we must enter another physical body to continue our evolution. The actions set in motion in previous lives form the tendencies of and conditions of the next. Reincarnation is ceases when karma is resolved. God is realized and moksha attained."

 

[Harry Haller]

Satyabanji

if I may offer a different perspective, ,

Through the ages, acceptance has been the great consoling element within Sikhism, eliminating the fear of death, explaining why one person is born a genius and another an idiot. We are the body in which we live not the supposed immortal soul which inhabits many bodies in its evolutionary journey through samsara. After death we do not continue to exist in unseen worlds, we do not enjoy or suffer the harvest of earthly deeds until it comes time for yet another physical rebirth. Because all karmas can be resolved only in the physical world, and only here and now, The actions set in motion in previous parts of our only life form the tendencies of and conditions of the next part of our only life. life ceases when hukam resolves . God can be realized and moksha attained at any time, on any day, but it is not a race to be won, it is a constant and vigilant battle to live by the truth."

 

[Ambarsaria]

Let us revisit the commonalities between two polarized views of Karma and what they lead to.

Karma in Sikhism:

• Your actions
• Your actions in the context of all before now and after
• Creation and consonance
• Example: In Sikhism you are who you are based on parts of,
  • All before you including your parents, grandparents and so on
  • The creation and various instances in time affecting positively and negatively the creative influences
    • Say cosmic rays creating gene mutations
    • In-breeding creating gene mutations
    • so on
  • With that as heritage you are you are based on how you act with all that is around you including fellow human being, life in general and creation at large
• When you die any born of you or others follow similar path
• In a way at birth you are minutely re-incarnating parts of many others physically and otherwise from all that has happened before your birth
• You are not a ditto copy of an "Integral single soul" as a whole that has just found a new body
• You are creation of a very large segments of small disparate entities both physically and otherwise

Sikhism notes:

• Where you are born is not a curse, a reward or continuation of a single source (soul) that was previously a lizzard or something else and now is re-incarnated as a human being
• When you die you do not become a snake or toad based on your actions during your life
  • Your body gets recycled and becomes part of other life forms or becomes part of other human being through your offspring
    
  • Your soul or virtual part of you continues through many others who you related to in your life whether far or near

NOT Sikhism but purported in Hinduism, Sanataana Dharma, etc.:

• A soul continues as a unit entity and keeps transforming as a unit into various life forms
  • The proverbial 84 lakh or 8.4 million joons (life forms)
  • Example:
    • You are hoarder of money as a human being you will be born as a Snake
    • You are a butcher, you will be born as an animal to be butchered
    • and so on, life after life in an incarnating cycle
• You are born into a rich family, it is a reward to your soul who may have helped someone in need a way back
• You are born into a destitute family it is a curse or punishment for your bad actions in the past
• You are born with disabilities or with one eye, no hearing, cleft palate, etc., it is a curse being executed for your soul's past bad actions
• How people fail to see the rationale for such thinking is beyond me as I see it as a way for;
  • Managing and establishing societies based on hierarchies and castes
    • Children born to the Brahmins were fortunate and oh so because they came from wonderful souls
    • Children born in shudras (untouchables) were born into cursed families and for ever so destined
  • These are societal systems set up by the have's against have not's
  • These are societal systems set up to keep control of the have not's in case they wanted to have
  • Imagine a society where all had same life style, provisions for life and so on,
    • This whole system of dogmas will collapse and nature will show in human life as an entity that creates equals and not based on curses or rewards of a soul traveling in time to be punished or rewarded
      
  • We can conclude that re-incarnation centric systems of religion or thought are "Conservative" or "right wing" collectives based on suppressing the weak and empowering the rulers
    • Nothing else
  • Sikhism on the other hand is pluralistic and close to being more of a socialistic doctrine
    • It is not socialistic as it encourages hard work and allows one to earn rewards for it
      • It is socialistic in that it encourages you to share as much as you can with those in need

I hope it adds to or helps with dialog in this thread.

Sat Sri Akal.

 

[Ishna]

Jio, that post goes down in forum history as one of the clearest, most concise answers to a pressing and complex issue. Thank you for the seva!

 

[Satyaban]

Ambasaria:

It is good you used the word "purported" because what followed is not accurate.


A soul continues as a unit entity and keeps transforming as a unit into various life forms

• The proverbial 84 lakh or 8.4 million joons (life forms)
• Example:
  • You are hoarder of money as a human being you will be born as a Snake
  • You are a butcher, you will be born as an animal to be butchered
  • and so on, life after life in an incarnating cycle

You are born into a rich family, it is a reward to your soul who may have helped someone in need a way back
You are born into a destitute family it is a curse or punishment for your bad actions in the past
You are born with disabilities or with one eye, no hearing, cleft palate, etc., it is a curse being executed for your soul's past bad actions"


What you say is not only passed being over simplified it is wrong. It is not a system of reward and punishment, but a law of cause and effect which also assists in the evolution of the soul. There are many factors in rebirth to include gunas.

We can not be centered in this life and its dualities of "good and bad" to begin to understand much larger truths than in this temporal world.



"Managing and establishing societies based on hierarchies and castes

• Children born to the Brahmins were fortunate and oh so because they came from wonderful souls
• Children born in shudras (untouchables) were born into cursed families and for ever so destined

These are societal systems set up by the have's against have not's
These are societal systems set up to keep control of the have not's in case they wanted to have

Imagine a society where all had same life style, provisions for life and so on,

• This whole system of dogmas will collapse and nature will show in human life as an entity that creates equals and not based on curses or rewards of a soul traveling in time to be punished or rewarded
  

We can conclude that re-incarnation centric systems of religion or thought are "Conservative" or "right wing" collectives based on suppressing the weak and empowering the rulers

• Nothing else"

Here also we are hung up on relating everything to the ever changing temporal world of maya. If you place so much importance of one's station in life everyone moves through these in many lives, so it is rather democratic don't you think. The "Golden Rule" should absolutely be followed for one's own sake.

I don't know that much about Sikhism, which is why I am here, and I don't tell Sikhs what their faith is so don't do that to me, okay?

 

[Satyaban]

Jio, that post goes down in forum history as one of the clearest, most concise answers to a pressing and complex issue. Thank you for the seva!

Post I'm sorry I didn't see the commonalities on reincarnation in that post. I present my "beliefs" and why I hold them. I use the word beliefs because I have faith in what the ancient rishis, sages and saints have learned from their intimate contact with The Creator. I believe this with my heart.

I can't expect or tell others what to believe as me nor would I want to. My faith tells me all religions are good, all have bedrock commonalities. The end of our journeys is the same but our path may cross then diverge but reach the same place.

These are matters of faith and belief and I do not intend to tell anyone else they are wrong.

I think the post you praise was edging to bombast and shallow.

 

[Sherdil]

I don't know that much about Sikhism, which is why I am here, and I don't tell Sikhs what their faith is so don't do that to me, okay?

Actually, you have been telling us what our faith is this whole thread. If you want to learn, then just sit back and read the posts.

FYI, neither Ambasaria nor Ishna ji were directing their posts towards you, so calm down.

Read the title of the forum. It says "Sikh Philosophy Network".

If you want to interject your own beliefs, then be prepared to defend them.

 

[Sherdil]

IMO, the idea of reincarnation is a made up theory to explain why the world isn't fair. It isn't based on any tangible proof.

It is an attempt by people, who think they are smarter than they really are, to unlock the workings of the Universe.

They cannot even predict what the weather will be 2 weeks from now, yet they have devised this grand scheme of how the soul comes and goes, and enters various bodies before finally achieving liberation. At long last! Hallelujah!

The wise recognize that there are certain things about the Universe that are beyond human comprehension. They recognize that these things are inconsequential because they are beyond our control.

Many theories put forth on the life here-after, but how will that benefit you in your life right now?

 

[Ambarsaria]

Let us revisit some facts about karma/reincarnation/transmigration in the context of real life.


Satyaban will look at the above picture and may say it is based on Karma's of the child. A punishment for past actions that the child somehow is accountable for. Sikhism would say this is part of creation. There would be more such situations when we do not live in consonance. The issue would never be of the child's creation but the parents, the community and mankind collectively if we do not support or help or prevent such situations. Catholics would say no one should stop such child from being born.

Now let us look at another picture.

Another some will say it is all about karma/reincarnation/transmigration in the context of real life. Satyaban ji in a kind way shared an incident where he lost most of the precious he had in a fire. Justifying as to foundations of his beliefs he faced it calling it an opportunity for a fresh start and an opportunity to lose attachment. Pious as it may be unless fire insurance helped cover losses to some extent or other savings or resources, it hardly makes any link to Karma/reincarnation etc. He had a chance to restart. The people in the picture never had a start.

The message for all of us is that we need to be cognizance of consonance and be in tune as selves, as collectives, as nations and get over all this Karma/reincarnation/transmigration hocus-pocus.

Sat Sri Akal.

 

[Abneet]

Let us revisit some facts about karma/reincarnation/transmigration in the context of real life.


Satyaban will look at the above picture and may say it is based on Karma's of the child. A punishment for past actions that the child somehow is accountable for. Sikhism would say this is part of creation. There would be more such situations when we do not live in consonance. The issue would never be of the child's creation but the parents, the community and mankind collectively if we do not support or help or prevent such situations. Catholics would say no one should stop such child from being born.

Now let us look at another picture.

Another some will say it is all about karma/reincarnation/transmigration in the context of real life. Satyaban ji in a kind way shared an incident where he lost most of the precious he had in a fire. Justifying as to foundations of his beliefs he faced it calling it an opportunity for a fresh start and an opportunity to lose attachment. Pious as it may be unless fire insurance helped cover losses to some extent or other savings or resources, it hardly makes any link to Karma/reincarnation etc. He had a chance to restart. The people in the picture never had a start.

The message for all of us is that we need to be cognizance of consonance and be in tune as selves, as collectives, as nations and get over all this Karma/reincarnation/transmigration hocus-pocus.

Sat Sri Akal.

explain why reincarnation is mentioned numerous times in the Guru Granth Sahib? There is proof of reincarnation already. There is reincarnation but some just don't want to accept the fact and that's alright but Guru Nanak Devi Ji touched on the topic clearly and still many chose to not believe. Your call. If you want to call yourself a Sikh than follow all the principles of Sikhism you can't just be saying oh I believe in this but no not this and pick out things you don't believe in....

 

[Ambarsaria]

explain why reincarnation is mentioned numerous times in the Guru Granth Sahib? There is proof of reincarnation already. There is reincarnation but some just don't want to accept the fact and that's alright but Guru Nanak Devi Ji touched on the topic clearly and still many chose to not believe. Your call. If you want to call yourself a Sikh than follow all the principles of Sikhism you can't just be saying oh I believe in this but no not this and pick out things you don't believe in....

Abneet ji thanks for your post.

Please quote where it is supported what you say in SGGS in a complete shabad. I will be happy to be corrected.

Guru ji and others refer to a lot of subjects as the level of darkness based on this blind or ill beliefs was rampant and it still is given misguidance by so many babeys, brahmins, etc., in present day Punjab and many a Sikh.

Perhaps you can tell us what you re-incarnated from or what your previous joon/incarnation was. All I know is I have/had parents and grand parents and so who were born and grew up in various times like any other parents and grandparents. Where do you break this line to be re-incarnated from other than being born from a human being. Are you proposing that your parents gave you just a body and your soul came from an animal as the likelihood of your soul being of a human based on estimated number of life forms is 1 in 87 crores (1 in 8.7 million).

Hurry up as you do not want to transform into a lesser life form before you get mukti in this life time. From what I understand the proponents of reincarnation state that this is what happens.

Sat Sri Akal.

 

[Abneet]

Abneet ji thanks for your post.

Please quote where it is supported what you say in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a complete shabad. I will be happy to be corrected.

Guru ji and others refer to a lot of subjects as the level of darkness based on this blind or ill beliefs was rampant and it still is given misguidance by so many babeys, brahmins, etc., in present day Punjab and many a Sikh.

Perhaps you can tell us what you re-incarnated from or what your previous joon/incarnation was. All I know is I have/had parents and grand parents and so who were born and grew up in various times like any other parents and grandparents. Where do you break this line to be re-incarnated from other than being born from a human being. Are you proposing that your parents gave you just a body and your soul came from an animal as the likelihood of your soul being of a human based on estimated number of life forms is 1 in 87 crores (1 in 8.7 million).

Hurry up as you do not want to transform into a lesser life form before you get mukti in this life time. From what I understand the proponents of reincarnation state that this is what happens.

Sat Sri Akal.

Sorry if my post sounded like an attack before. There are countless times the word "reincarnation" is mentioned and yes I am reading from a English translation of the GGS yourself can take the time to go read, but the main point is Sikhs have a strong belief in reincarnation.

First lets say you don't believe in reincarnation than whats your outside-Sikhi belief? Proof of reincarnation has been around for a long time. Scientists in India doing research finding how some kids find out something about past-life. Much much more discoveries have been found. If you things Guru ji's words have been misinterpreted than either way they were right. So that's clear hopefully.

We like in the 21'st century and we still have Sikhs doubting one of our big beliefs in terms of what happens in afterlife. The reincarnation of 8.4 Million species is a hard thought to actually believe in now days. Surely one day the number of species will above that but doesn't mean to stop believing in reincarnation. We live a bad life we come back and try again simple as that. The whole process on reincarnation is still not clear I'll be honest about that. There are a lot of loopholes in the belief system of reincarnation. For example in cases like abortion how is that dealt. Why would God let me die in the womb after going through the whole cycle and having one more chance to please Him. Hard to get a answer to that one.

Being born again with a soul is a grace by Waheguru as we are here to again try to please Him. Yes my parents gave me a body (don't know what your were trying to say sorry ha). I might not figure out what my previous life was but I can tell you from family having very close connections with sant ji's that some when reach a very high spiritual life at a ending point of their life they know when they are going to leave this world. There's that. Whether you believe or don't believe in reincarnation you should still believe in living a good earnest life and connecting with the One and with that done why should one even worry about afterlife/reincarnation?

 

[Satyaban]

I have learned some more about Sikhism from this conversation. Some of the comments were most informative while some added er well not much.

What I didn't know was that this is such a polarizing issue among Sikhs, enough to cause some to get rather up tight.

I don't take offense and when it comes I refuse delivery and like an item that was delivered to me that I did not order I simply return it. I was surprised that were childish in their response when they obviously did not read mine.

I have stated my beliefs and am not going to repeat myself so I am putting this conversation to bed.

Ambasaria: "Satyaban ji in a kind way shared an incident where he lost most of the precious he had in a fire. Justifying as to foundations of his beliefs he faced it calling it an opportunity for a fresh start and an opportunity to lose attachment. Pious as it may be unless fire insurance helped cover losses to some extent or other savings or resources, it hardly makes any link to Karma/reincarnation etc."

I was not put out because it brought some karma back into balance, I learned a spiritual lesson and no I did not have fire insurance of any kind and my savings non-existent except for maybe $200. The American Red Cross gave me $375. I didn't mean to mislead but my possessions were few, my computer, back-ups clothes and some other items bed etc. My possessions are still few and would not shed a tear if I lost them again.