Again
’What do you know about reincarnation?” Heather asked, addressing a frail guy in his mid-twenties who, until her intrusion, had been busy putting up library books. He seemed scattered and distracted and wouldn’t be accused of being a pretty boy anytime soon but the librarian’s assistant exuded confidence. He was kind and he had an air of humility that most people lacked. It was Heather who hid behind her hair while they spoke.
He laughed in response to her question and nodded her in the direction of a quiet table. It was his invitation to sit down and talk and she accepted by sitting in the chair. Heather smiled but didn’t waste time with introductions or pleasantries.
“So, tell me what you know,” she said.
She offered the only smile she had left and tried hard to remember if she had showered that morning. Remembering she hadn’t, Heather backed her chair up a little and considered offering an apology.
“Working on a paper?” he asked sitting down.
“Something like that,” she answered.
“Well, literally speaking, reincarnation’s defined as being made flesh again. It’s the idea that our soul survives death by being reborn in another body.”
“Yes, I know what it means,” she rushed. “Where do scientists and philosophers stand on it?”
“Well,” he started slowly. “Voltaire said, “It is not more surprising to be born twice than it is to be born once.”
“I have to agree with him on that one,” Heather said.
He introduced himself as Rodney and adjusted the glasses that fell halfway down his nose.
“Oh, I agree too,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“We’re not the same self every lifetime, right? I mean, there are changes?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s said that we develop a new personality each lifetime but that the spirit remains constant.”
“Definitely not something subscribed to by Christians,” Heather offered.
“No, not the Christians,” he laughed. “They think that by believing we continue to come back to life, we are lying to ourselves for the sake of comfort.”
It was Heather’s turn to laugh.
“Yeah, sure,” she said bitterly. “Christians would never lie to themselves for the sake of comfort, huh? I mean, spending eternity in heaven is much more believable, right?
“Yeah,” Rodney agreed. “It’s interesting, actually, when you look at the ways different religions view the theory. Reincarnation originated within Indian traditions.”
“Like the Hindus?” Heather asked.
“Yes,” he answered.
“And some Greek philosophers believed the teachings and then others followed. Pagans and New Age religions and of course, Buddhists believe but with some variations. Even some Jews believe in reincarnation.”
“What do they say about it?” Heather asked.
“They believe it’s directly related to karma,” said Rodney.
“One life dictates the next by our actions.”
“When do they believe reincarnation started?”
“Well, if we’re talking about souls and we’re talking about one life leading to the next all the way down the line, I guess it would have started at the very beginning.”
“When is it supposed to end? I mean, how long do we keep being reborn?”
Rodney pulled a notebook from the pile of books he had been gathering. He laid it on the table and pulled a pencil out from behind his ear. Heather thought he was going to draw a picture for her but instead he just started doodling while he explained what he knew.
“The Hindus teach that worldly pleasures can never bring deep, lasting happiness or peace and that the world as we understand it is fleeting and illusory. They say we’re trapped in the world because we’re ignorant of our true nature. Supposedly, after many births, we become dissatisfied with the limited happiness the world can bring and we seek out higher forms of happiness, which we can only get through spiritual experiences. When we realize our ‘true self’ is really the immortal soul and not the body we’re living in, all desire for the pleasures of the world are supposed to vanish because they will never compare to the joy we know we’re capable of. That’s when the rebirth is supposed to stop.”
“Then what?” she asked.
“Theories differ. Some believe we spent eternity absorbed in the peace and happiness because of the truth we finally allowed ourselves.”
“Whoa,” Heather said.
“Others believe more in a heaven where we spend eternity with a Supreme Being.”
“Jesus,” Heather said. “Isn’t there anyone who hasn’t made up an entire story and can just admit to not knowing?”
“No,” Rodney answered quickly. “Human beings aren’t designed to stop there. We’re given the curiosity to want to know more and we have the motivation to go looking for it.”
Heather got an idea and changed tactics a little bit.
“I know this will sound stupid,” she started, “but have you ever heard anything about 11:11?”
“What, like the time?” he asked.
“Well, yeah but not just the time. I mean, do the actual numbers have any kind of significance?” She felt the heat rush to her cheeks as she realized he had probably just deemed her insane. But he only smiled.
“I understand 11:11,” he said