Karma and Reincarnation: Transcending Your Past, Transforming Your Future

Rating:
Summary: An excellent overview of reincarnation...
Review: ...and a good reminder for those of us who've already reached the conclusion that reincarnation is objective fact through our own studies.

This is probably the best comprehensive overview of how reincarnation works. It addresses nearly every inconsistency and criticism that is often levied at this theory. Granted, this is a lot to swallow - I know it took me many years and many strange experiences to believe it myself - so given that, it's not going to convince the _Skeptic Magazine_ reader you know of any of this.

But for open minded people, this is a great place to start - especially considering that they don't have to read anything! Some of the fundamentals of reincarnation cover include:

* Why reincarnation makes sense, and why no one is given just one shot to "get it all right."
* How and why karma works, and the limitations of karmic understanding.
* How karma and free will operate together, yet are independent of one another (this addresses the classic criticism of why karma couldn't be true - the simplistic notion that karma is merely "you get what you put out").
* The "afterworld" (or "between-world") is touched upon; why you are given the body you have been given, and how to view this life you have as a chance to overcome your karma that you have accrued from previous incarnations, no matter what your state in life.
* Dispels many common misconceptions about reincarnation, such as the notion that people reincarnate as insects, animals, or other non-sentient objects. Shows how the possession of self-recognition and free will are prerequisites for advancement along the karmic pathway.
* Presents reincarnation in a positive light, but does not sugar coat its larger implications: along with immortality, we can continue to make all of the same painful mistakes over and over again - a virtual Flying Dutchman of stupidity in many of our cases.
* How many of the implications of karma/reincarnation were suppressed by early Christian church leaders, and why Christianity is not incompatible with reincarnation. (This was the first tape, and I thought a bit more time was spent on this if necessary. It's interesting to hear the background of esoteric Christianity again, but as a non-Christian I was starting to feel as though this was just an excessive attempt to sell Christians on the idea. Due to the extreme gravity of these concepts, it's unlikely anyone unprepared or not looking for them is going to ever swallow them.)

I know Prophet has a reputation as being somewhat of a cultish figure. I can't confirm this at the present time, but perhaps a cautionary stance should be taken with some of her work. Nevertheless, I found this to be just plain interesting. This was how I'd imagined it all worked, but Prophet puts it together in an excellent manner.

Rating:
Summary: So much info in such a tiny book!
Review: My experience in the past with karma and reincarnation was the typical stereotypes of "oohhh, watch out for karma" or "his karma will get him" or "Yeah, I was Queen of Egypt in a past life."

It was nice to read a book that treats the subject serious and gives a good introduction to core concepts. Then the authors expand upon those concepts in the later chapters in the book.

The personal stories told in the book I felt were reasonable and I wasn't left with a feeling like the author pulled one over on me.

I was really happy at the end when I saw the book had an extensive bibliography. I like it that an author can quote from other sources and provide references for those that want to search more. It makes them more credible in my eyes.

Great book!

Rating:
Summary: Positive, empowering and thought-provoking
Review: The pocketbook looks at the historical belief in reincarnation and then gets straight into 'how does that relate to me today'. I could understand the simple but profound messages it conveyed.

It has the power to change your life, the way you view situations, the way you respond and the sense of purpose you have. I always enjoy the real life stories and anecdotes in the Summit University Press pocketbooks.

Convincing as it is, it isn't pushy. I really enjoyed the section on personal, relationship and group karma - it offered me so many answers as to what were the underlying conditions in my life, whether in my relationships with those close to me or people I meet in the street. There is a reason for everything.

An innovative book that is positive, empowering and thought-provoking.