Source: The Free Dictionary
For centuries many societies of the world have believed in the transmigration of the soul. The idea that the soul, or as the Buddhists generally believe, that some aspect of what we presently call ourselves passes on to another human or animal life can be extremely helpful.
If we bypass the question of whether or not Metempsychosis is true or not but just examine the idea itself, I think we can find something very powerful and life affirming in the concept.
The Judeo/Christian concept that the soul either dies and waits for resurrection or goes to heaven or hell is generally what has been accepted in the West. Again bypassing the truth of this, the Judeo/Christian idea of punishment and reward can be useful to reinforce desired behaviors but it lacks a deeper message.
Metempsychosis presents the idea that we are all interconnected and that a human is not separate from animal or even plant life. It offers a powerful message. Not only do we genetically have much in common with all of life, but that we are also spiritually connected with all of life.
That message, that we are all of each other and arise from each other is the message found in Metempsychosis. There is nothing that separates life other than our own awareness or individual consciousness. That beingness that many call soul is something that is not an individual or even a human possession but is the experience of all of life.
Our essence or being is something that is a shared experience. It is dependent on our level of consciousness and our connection to all of life.
It is inspiring for me to think that the life of a fish is an evolving experience that may one day find itself living in a human body. Just as humanity physically has evolved from the sea, the human being has evolved from a likely infinite number of lives into its present state, according to the Metempsychosis.
The concept of Transmigration of the Soul is life affirming in that, if we actually were to believe it and to understand it, then we would treat all of nature and life with greater respect. This is precisely what the world needs at present. A humanity with some compassion and feeling of connectedness with nature and with the rest of life.
It is our past and present belief systems or worldview that has brought the world to its present dangerous dance with an eco-system collapse. Just as our present mindset of selfishness and greed has brought about the collapse of our economy. Our present belief that we are somehow disconnected and separated from other life is the mindset that is fueling environmental collapse.
So I have my own reasons to believe in the Transmigration of our Being but even if I am completely wrong. I still take heart in the beauty and life affirming idea that we are all living various levels of consciousness and experience, and that all of life has the same capacity of expanding their consciousness or their being to Transmigrate into the highest of beings.
The belief that no matter how we transform, we all share a universal and infinite experience called life. This is uplifting and life affirming.
Let's work to create new paradigms and expand our hearts and minds as we develop ideas to serve humanity and life. Metempsychosis is a concept that could help transform humanity's consciousness bringing about a more compassionate and healthier world.
We are all of life and all a part of each other. A simple message that needs to be grasped by the peoples of the world before we experience an eco-system collapse. The concept of Transmigration of the Soul is an extremely useful and helpful idea to help in reinforce that message.