nexus wrote:i am developing a healthy respect for a law and a process which does not depend on my belief for it to operate.
I think this is the most important point to consider when contemplating the nature and reality of karma/reincarnation.
This is how I see these subjects. Free will is the tie that binds these 2 concepts, they are inextricably linked. Karma is cause and effect (in the most unbiased, non-judgemental way possible) and simply means "action". Reincarnation is the effect and cause of karma.
Even though they are so tied for beings like us, I think that in higher densities karma could work itself out without the need for incarnation (being born and living in the material realms).
All things in Creation are based on the original distortion of free will which must necessarily come before any action (such as creating the universe). Where there's a will, there's a way, so they say. The existence of the Logos (or Love) is the result of that original free will, and the Logos itself uses free will to create light which naturally creates and illuminates the illusory material densities of 1-4 (aka in the human body, the torso). It is here where reincarnation takes place and where the bulk of karma is processed, akin to the digestion of food in the torso. I believe it was the C's who said that 5d represents a kind of waystation for the soul while traversing the material densities of 1-4. This makes sense to me when considering that the 5th element is "akasha" (as in the akashic records), and in my own research I've seen akasha to be intimately related to free will.
The akashic records are like a book that was written in the past, is re-written in the present, and has yet to be written in the future. So in this model the first 4 densities would be analogous to the 4 elements that dwell within the 5th element of akasha (5d). But of course this is only the microcosm within the macrocosm, like the womb of creation. Ultimately free will as the primary force exists outside of the the 7 densities, acting as the force by which the densities are created in the first place.
In terms of the ascending octave (Mother->Father) the lower material densities are the causal force and the higher spiritual densities are the effect. Once past the necessity of reincarnation there is a chance to "be" more than "cause" after the bulk of material experience has been digested. Why? Be-Cause!
It is in these higher density dominant states of "being" that reincarnation no longer serves a purpose because the lessons to be gained by material existence (incarnation) have been learned and the higher spiritual lessons can take place.
SamIAm wrote:Why would a "unconditonally loving, non-judgemental" creator put anyone through such a scheme?
Although I'm using your quote to respond to, this isn't directly aimed at you Sam.
To me there is no dark matrix or malicious suffersystem that we are helpless victims to. To beings that are awakening, this concept can serve as a major stumbling block to the higher understanding of "love" for all of Creation that moves past this divisive viewpoint. This system of reincarnation (finite life) and karma (action) are temporary in terms of evolution of the soul and are quite natural. The active side of the divine Mother is expressed as the lower material (matter=mater=mother) densities (1-4). So, to deride the material realms and their processes would be to disrespect the Mother, discounting one half of Creation and falling short of the objective of love.
I'm not denying at all that there may be a sinister plot being unleashed by those entities that would seek to enslave rather then set free, but they are just as illusory as the material realms that they interfere with. Ultimately they are us and we are them, all playing roles for the sake of knowing ourselves. There may be other 3d environments where there isn't as much negative influence and lessons are learned in an easier fashion, so why do we get picked on so much? I think this has more to do with our specific spiritual potential and origins then an evil plan that goes away from the pure intention of the Creator.
To answer the quote directly, "I" (we) created the material densities so that "WE" (I) could experience separation rather than the unity that is the cause and nature of all "things". We are putting ourselves through such a scheme for a purpose, all is not for naught, so to speak.
So anyway, good news it that reincarnation is only a burden so long as we remain stubborn and fail to learn our lessons. All of that changes when we realize the purpose of finite existence and begin to consciously process the weight of our souls instead of just going through the motions. Karma is the means by which reincarnation operates. It takes and gives us the catalyst and experience needed to grow our souls to the point that reincarnation is no longer needed. All of this is based on our free will, which in the end IS the free will of the Creator. As nexus originally pointed out (and lilmomma explained further), all of this operates regardless of our belief in it, and as we know belief is not truth, and truth itself, in the illusion of separation, is completely subjective. The only actual truth is unity, everything else is only a distorted approach towards it.
lyra wrote:What about the other part of the topic? Reincarnation? As in, past lives? Does anybody else out there have past life memories or flashes or indications? What about responses coming from a real place of first hand experience and knowledge, instead of detached philosophical musings?
I'm not saying this to be different or to boost my own ego, but as the reasoning why I honestly don't believe that I have been around here that recently, though I don't doubt an ancient relationship to this local "school district" of ours. I do think that my parents however are probably last life (or near it) Earth specific souls, which is why I chose them to bring me into this world and nurture my earth development. "Anything less would be uncivilized" 
The only way I can reason about this subject is based on my own feelings, knowledge, life history, and outside indicators. Of course the following may not prove anything but they may are indicators to show where I'm "coming from" at this point.
- I have always has an obsession with words and books to the point that my life has even followed themes of paper and book binding (father has worked in printing for all of my life, mother worked at a party supply store called "The Paper Factory", I worked for a printing company also (random temp placement) and my current job is in a bindery, the only place that wanted to hire me out of many resumes dropped off. This to me is a symbolic pointer to a higher density ("location" of the Logos, aka Word) origin.
- strong resonance with the "wanderer" archetype originally offered by Ra and developed by L/L Research. Life long foreign relation to material life, social inability, disagreement to many foods/environments, etc.
- a couple of intuitive/sensitive people I'm close to mentioning the same thing. One was actually originally scared of telling me her intuitive hunch of my lack of reincarnation since it might scare me. Apparently she has only seen this non-earth origin with one other person in her 33 years.
- the only motivation I have in this life is to understand the nature of the Creator and its Creation, everything else (including survival!) is seemingly trivial.
-all current personal lessons and themes seem to point to necessity of integrating material with spiritual identity, distance and thus obsession with matter and feminine qualities, fascination with the veil or matrix
-physical/mental/emotional androgyny
So I actually feel kinda bummed out that I don't have any past-life memories/experiences and that any past lives I did have would be so far removed as to have no place in our current historical paradigms. Must be nice! 
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BTW, SamIAm, if you're not familiar with the man already, I recommend the book "Many Mansions: Edgar Cayce on Reincarnation" (among other similar works on him as well). IMO, Cayce's work is one of the best relatively modern examples of the reality of past lives, the "akashic records", and the interplay between the two.
Oh, and Mongoose......tell me WHY?!? (I want it THAT way) 