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If nothing is permanent, how can there be continuity between lives in an endless cycle?
Is nirvana the realization that you will not be reincarnated?
Just like the orientation of energy in the cosmos, i.e. energy would only transform - to transform is to change, to change is to become, and to become is to reborn. So, energy is ever reborn all the time in the dependent nature. For example, a flame is transferred from one candle to another, or a fire spreads from one field to another. In the same way that it depends on the original fire, there is a conditioned relationship between one life and the next; they are not identical but neither are they completely distinct.
“The I of I, is not mine,
The you of you, is not yours,
The he of he, is not his,
The she of she, is not hers,
The it of it, is not its.”
“There is no I am reborn, but just a state of rebirth,
There is no I am suffering, but just a state of suffering,
There is no I am in trouble, but just a state of troublesome,
There is no I am happy, but just a state of happiness,
There is no I am enlightened, but a state of enlightenment.”
In an ultimate sense, nibbāna does not exist at all. This is because there is no arising mind to feed the descriptions, perceptions, names, shapes, etc. In fact, it is a non-dependent state of affairs, i.e. the absence of rising and falling activities (the characteristics of energy). This means it is a completely neutralised state of affairs that would not subject to conditional influences, i.e. a constantly changing affairs.
Basically, in deep meditation, there would be a slowing down of the becoming process with energy vibrating and expanding away from the centre point of the source at a slower rate. When the becoming process ceases, energy would cease vibrating as well. Literally, the energy is in a frozen state. In Buddhism, a stilled mind is an altered state of consciousness that is calm and composed. This is akin to a balanced state of affairs, i.e. a comprehensive absence of any or all units under consideration (perfect intermediation). However, such as state is not equivalent to nothingness, but instead no-thing-ness.
The principle in effect:
No thing would mean no becoming or changing, No changing would mean no suffering, No suffering would mean no mind, No mind would mean no existence.
The mind is the forerunner of all states: No mind would mean a completely neutralised state of affairs, and this is nibbāna.
Continuing with the physical analogy (energy transformation), is reincarnation another word for the decomposition of a person after death and the return of their matter to the environment for reuse? Or is there a point of continuity between one life and the next?
For example, could you have knowledge of your past lives? Or are those lives separate from you such that you could not claim them?
First of all, life and death are human constructs, i.e. they are merely different notions of mind consciousness. In the dependent nature, everything is a matrix of everything. All things or matters are interdependently co-arising ad infinitum. The basic cause for such persistent re-arising personality is the abiding consciousness in ignorance; when ignorance is uprooted, rebirth ceases.
Rebirth
Basically, rebirth refers to evolving consciousness or stream of consciousness of a person and the new consciousness arising in the same person (in the new person upon death) is neither identical to, nor entirely different from, the old consciousness, but it forms part of a causal continuum or stream with it. And Buddhism embraces rebirth instead of reincarnation. This is because every life cycle will be different, just like the saying, “It looks like me, sounds like me, but it is still not me”. Nevertheless, there is a nexus between individuals despite the absence of transmigration. For instance, the mechanisms of gene lineage that would indicate common ancestry.
The principle in effect: -
When someone dies, his or her subtle consciousness would transpire in soul or spirit and bears along with the seeds of kamma. This is because, within the subtle consciousness, one would discover the elements of memory and information. The retained information in each life cycle would then evolve into the so-called seed treasures of kamma that were accumulated throughout the series of one’s past lives.
For example, the subtle consciousness of: Individual A would carry kamma-seed A, Individual B would carry kamma-seed B, and Individual C would carry kamma-seed C. When a new being is born (Individual ABC), he or she would inherit the respective kamma-seeds from Individual A, B & C. This is what emptiness means in Buddhism, i.e. all beings or things are formed as continuous convoluted existences rather than discrete units.
Group Traits Of Consciousness
For human beings, the physical body is within the traits of consciousness with the mind that serves as the forerunner of all things or matters. Basically, the mind is a pattern of consciousness that is born from awareness and it is comprised of a conflation of the prevailing and subtle aspects. The prevailing mind consciousness is closely related to the physical body, whereas the subtle mind consciousness is somehow liberated from the physical body. Nevertheless, all observed objects or matters must transpire within the purview of the group traits of consciousness. This includes all the projections and reflections discerned by the respective mind consciousnesses.
Basically, consciousness is a synergy that has the ability to simultaneously expand and pervade through any corresponding planes of existence. It is akin to an electrical impulse in our heart system whereby the electrical signal travels through the network of conducting cells or pathways that stimulates the upper chambers and the lower chambers to contract until the entire heart contracts in one coordinated motion. This means it is pivotal to the prevalence of parallel existences in Mother Nature, such as the witness of ghosts or spirits, as well as the extraterrestrials by some individuals.
In fact, all different planes of existence are the end result of polarity in the traits of consciousness that orientate in fluctuating vibrational frequencies. Just like the appearance of a music rhythm display board, there are variations and conditioned relationships in the consciousnesses between beings due to the memory aspects of the mind that serve as the forerunner of heritability of consciousness-bearing traits. In the end, the object’s frequency span must transpire within the purview of the subject’s frequency horizon; without it, the observation would be impossible.
In the present-dynamism, the mind consciousness is known as the perceiver, whereas object or matter is known as the perceived. Essentially, it is the perceiver’s mind, as a non-physical faculty integrating with the five physical faculties, namely, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body, that provides the observation and interpretation; thus, the spawning of conditional phenomena. If the vibrational frequencies of the perceiver are lower than the perceived, the cascading events are deemed impossible.
The Realm Of Present-dynamism
All things or matters would exist under present-dynamism simultaneously. The projectile time movement discerned by our mind consciousness is purely due to relativity, owing to the varying vibrational frequencies. As a result, we often instil the habits of constructing narratives out of a series of linear events; thus, creating delusions of time movement, as per the past, present, and future. Basically, the conventional time is subjective-c.u.m.-relative, i.e. it is dependent on the observer’s mind to feed the valuation on the other side of the object or matter. In the end, the whole episode varies as per different observers or minds.
The principle in effect: -
Present-dynamism = Frequency x Becoming (Space x Time)
In the present-dynamism, a higher vibrational frequency would yield a slower rate of becoming process and vice versa. For instance, in a relative term, the experience of one second in a celestial plane with higher vibrational frequencies is equivalent to ten years for the human realm with lower vibrational frequencies. As a consequence, one would mistakenly assume that all celestial beings are immortals.
Instead, there is merely a regenerating of occurrences all the time in present-dynamism. This means, in the twinkling of an eye, all events or phenomena would simultaneously fluctuate and renew ad infinitum. Just like the gravitational effects on earth for all different masses are the same (acceleration value, g = 9.80 m/s2) even though the rock strikes the ground before the feather per se. Let’s look at the following illustrations: -
Plane Of Existence
1. Plane X (1-hour) 2. Plane Y (10-day) 3. Plane Z (30-day)
Frequency Band
1. Plane X = Extremely High Frequency (EHF); Range = 30 to 300 GHz
2. Plane Y = Ultra High Frequency (UHF); Range = 300 to 3,000 MHz
3. Plane Z = Very High Frequency (VHF); Range = 0 to 300 MHz
Timeline (Becoming Process)
1 hour in Plane X = 10 days in Plane Y = 30 days in Plane Z
Note: Comparatively, the clock would appear to be ticking faster in Plane Z than both Plane Y and Plane X. This is because a higher vibrational frequency would yield a slower becoming process.
Observation Of Events
1. Individual X --> Plane X = will experience
2. Individual Y --> Plane Y = will experience
3. Individual Z --> Plane Z = will experience
Note: Individual X, Individual Y, and Individual Z are the so-called “similar self” or interrelated beings in different planes of existence but still within the same group traits of consciousness.
Time Travel
1. Individual X (observation) --> Plane Y and/or Plane Z = have experienced
2. Individual Y (observation) --> Plane Z = have experienced
Note: The object’s frequency span must transpire within the purview of the subject’s frequency horizon; without it, the observation would be impossible. If the vibrational frequencies of the perceiver are lower than the perceived, the cascading events are deemed impossible.
Vijja and Jhāna
In Buddhism, vijja refers to the higher or the pure knowledge obtained by the mind as a result of attaining the various stages of jhāna, i.e. an altered state of consciousness with profound stillness and concentration. Vijja serves as a reflection for the state of awakening being achieved by the mind consciousness via deep meditation. While practising meditation, it is crucial to invoke the state of jhāna that will culminate in a manifestation of a black hole of emptiness that is potent and radiant. This is the basis of psychic powers uncovered in individuals. In other words, there is a compelling black hole within the innate mind of all individuals that is also known as the Clear Light in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. With the accrued psychic abilities, one could perform myriad miracles, such as time travel, spiritual healing, observing past lives, sense of déjà vu, etc.
If nothing is permanent, how can there be continuity between lives in an endless cycle?
Is nirvana the realization that you will not be reincarnated?
This may not be how Buddhism answers but here is a shot:
The Self exists, the ‘we” is a construct.
The mind gets incarnated and constructs the ‘us’.
The Self is permanent.
Nirvana is the end of reincarnation.
since time only exists when you are in a physical incarnation,
and time does not exist (it is an artificial construct) when one is "between incarnations"
then all the different incarnations, all your different lifetimes as a human,
are happening simultaneously. they are not linear, since linear time does not exist.
what you do in "this" current lifetime, affects all your other lifetimes, because it is the same you that is experiencing them.
if you become calmer, wiser, more peaceful, and more kind in this lifetime, then those benefits carry over into your other lifetimes, for better outcomes in all your lifetimes.
the linear mind may not easily grasp time not existing outside the physical realm.
reincarnation ends when we reach a point where we have a level of understanding, of how the game is played. then the game is up.
we then engage in other adventures and play other games.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 03-18-2022 at 01:21 PM..
here is link to a message from the Dalai Lama,
which includes sections on reincarnation
"In order to accept reincarnation or the reality of Tulkus, we need to accept the existence of past and future lives. Sentient beings come to this present life from their previous lives and take rebirth again after death. This kind of continuous rebirth is accepted by all the ancient Indian spiritual traditions and schools of philosophy, except the Charvakas, who were a materialist movement. Some modern thinkers deny past and future lives on the premise that we cannot see them. Others do not draw such clear cut conclusions on this basis.
"Although many religious traditions accept rebirth, they differ in their views of what it is that is reborn, how it is reborn, and how it passes through the transitional period between two lives. Some religious traditions accept the prospect of future life, but reject the idea of past lives. Generally, Buddhists believe that there is no beginning to birth and that once we achieve liberation from the cycle of existence by overcoming our karma and destructive emotions, we will not be reborn under the sway of these conditions. Therefore, Buddhists believe that there is an end to being reborn as a result of karma and destructive emotions, but most Buddhist philosophical schools do not accept that the mind-stream comes to an end. Therefore, as long as you are a Buddhist, it is necessary to accept past and future rebirth."
Observable truth would rise against the backdrop of absolute truth, without exception. For example, as per a weekly calendar, there are iterations of Monday to Sunday ad infinitum. In this case, the observable fact that arises in a specific label is Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday, etc. At the same time, the absolute fact would be referred to as the flux of spacetime a.k.a. the becoming process. However, it is inappropriate to label the flux of becoming process as “like this” or “like that” because it is beginning-less and endless, by nature.
Let’s study the elements of energy. Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed and it is ever-transforming and changing all the time. But the sum of all energies in a system is constant or never changes. This means energy is a variable as well as a constant element, concurrently. Anything that inherently exists will not involve change and created objects cannot inherently exist because that will involve change. In other words, absolute truth belongs to an inherent nature with a constant factor and observable truth belongs to a dependent nature with a variable factor.
For instance, science is full of observable facts. And observable facts are observable facts because it doesn’t matter who does the experiment or makes the measurements. By the way, who is performing the observation and interpretation? It is the observer’s mind as a non-physical faculty integrating with the five physical faculties, namely, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body. In other words, observable facts are dependent on the observer’s mind to feed the description, definition, recognition, or valuation on the other side of the object or matter. Therefore, it is also known as subjective facts.
Besides, it is impossible for one to measure the becoming process unless one manipulates it into an observer mode, i.e. to grasp on things with labels such as last Monday, next Tuesday, 3.25 pm, Friday 13th, 2020, etc. And the observable becoming process varies as per different observers under fluctuating vibrational frequencies a.k.a. different planes of existence. In the end, we could merely recognise that every day, every week, or every year would not be the same because, in the twinkling of an eye, all events or phenomena as observed by our mind consciousness would fluctuate and renew simultaneously and continuously.
here is link to a message from the Dalai Lama,
which includes sections on reincarnation
"In order to accept reincarnation or the reality of Tulkus, we need to accept the existence of past and future lives. Sentient beings come to this present life from their previous lives and take rebirth again after death. This kind of continuous rebirth is accepted by all the ancient Indian spiritual traditions and schools of philosophy, except the Charvakas, who were a materialist movement. Some modern thinkers deny past and future lives on the premise that we cannot see them. Others do not draw such clear cut conclusions on this basis.
"Although many religious traditions accept rebirth, they differ in their views of what it is that is reborn, how it is reborn, and how it passes through the transitional period between two lives. Some religious traditions accept the prospect of future life, but reject the idea of past lives. Generally, Buddhists believe that there is no beginning to birth and that once we achieve liberation from the cycle of existence by overcoming our karma and destructive emotions, we will not be reborn under the sway of these conditions. Therefore, Buddhists believe that there is an end to being reborn as a result of karma and destructive emotions, but most Buddhist philosophical schools do not accept that the mind-stream comes to an end. Therefore, as long as you are a Buddhist, it is necessary to accept past and future rebirth."
OP, average human does not reincarnate.
Reincarnation is re-existence of the same persona. Eg, Sukyamuni Buddha.
Normally, humans re-exist.
What is it that re-exists?
Human body is a vehicle for the Conscious Self in the body to work out its "karma"( I am only using common terms) through re - existences on Earth.
Each re-existence, a new mask, a new persona, is acquired by Conscious Self. That mask, that persona, is annihilated towards the final stage of the after the death states, a blissful dreamless sleep.
What carries along with the Conscious Self through re-existences? Its body-mind and its "soul", or, non-selfconscious entity that operates the human body via voluntary and involuntary nervous systems and partakes in the conception of that body and its maintenance. Soul is disassembled in after the death states, just like persona is but, each one of its components, elementals, are marked with that Conscious Self mark and, when time for the new body to be conceived, soul components are called upon and the process begins again.
When Conscious Self completes its Earthly path and returns into the Realm of Permanence, soul progresses into the state of AIA, or a point of the new development, resting at the border between nature side and intelligence side. That point, by the method of development from the point, through radius and arc, attains self - consciousness and becomes a new Conscious Self.
Dear CB, I do not care, what advita says. Let's not go that route.
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