Do you believe in reincarnation? · 11:32pm Apr 27th, 2016
This isn't something I would normally tell people about, and really I've confined these feelings of mine to Tumblr and one close friend, but I've been really scared, distraught, and maybe even a little bit depressed recently.
Now I don't say that lightly, as I take legitimate mental illnesses seriously, but I don't know how else to describe it.
A month or so ago, I came down with the flu, and that's when things started going downhill for me. I don't know why it happened, but I started thinking a lot about death and what comes after it. You know, heavy stuff like that which a generally happy and carefree guy like me doesn't normally think about. Well, it hit me like a ton of bricks, and since then I've had three breakdowns where I just couldn't handle the anxiety anymore and I just couldn't do anything but cry. I normally wouldn't admit that, but I don't know what else to do.
Maybe it's because I'm 24, about to be 25 in roughly a month. I hear that this is within a transitional period where people tend to worry about things like this. I just wish it didn't happen so suddenly.
Things have gotten a bit worse recently. I can't go a day without thinking about it, and just today things reached a point where I'm so emotionally fragile that I've been very randomly brought to tears. I've never felt like this before in my life, which is why I've attributed it to some degree of depression.
I've taken to reading up on things about reincarnation and life after death. My search history is full of things like "proof of reincarnation" and "proof of an afterlife", and it's helped me a little bit. But the worry and uncertainty is still there, and at this point I'm just waiting for it to try and subside.
So I guess that's where the title question comes in to play. Do you believe in reincarnation? What about an afterlife? I'm just looking for some form of validation or reassurance, because this is getting really hard to deal with. Even now I just feel like this blog post is a pile of random, disjointed sentences thrown together because I can't really focus. Sorry if it's hard to follow.
I know what you're going through. Believe me, it's awful.
I, personally, don't, but I'm open to being convinced otherwise. It's an area of belief which I haven't looked into all that much.
More importantly, I want to say that I've been in a similar position to you, and I'm here if you want to talk. As are plenty of others.
We're here, if you want us to be.
Hard to say.
There is no evidence that reincarnation exists. But there is no evidence to NOT prove it either. Only certain religious believe in that. Like China.... Anyways. I cannot help you with that subject. 
But there is one thing I can help you with.... Your emotions.
You should not be worrying about this stuff at a young age. You have many years ahead of you.
Here and now is what you should be worrying about. If you worry about that stuff now it wastes energy and time. Tell me.... Do you know what job/career you want to do? If you can't answer that. Find it. 
You have family and friends that care about you. Every single human is here... Living.
Live your life. 
It may be the last life you have. So enjoy it while it last. 
(Very sorry for the long read.
If you read this and you think I'm 18 years or older. You are mistaken. I HUGE vocabulary for a 13-year-old girl. 
)
I do.
I don't think anyone can be absolutely sure of one, after all, the only ones who could say for sure are, well, dead.
In the end, it comes down to what you want. Do you want there to be an afterlife or a reincarnation? Then there probably is.
For what it's worth, though, I sure as hell hope there is. If not then I hope for at least a second chance to do thing different.
Also, you might wanna give this a read.
~Skeeter The Lurker
3901247
Thanks for that. I don't usually reach out to people for help because I'm just not that kind of person, but knowing that someone is there if I do helps.
3901256
I know! And I keep trying to tell myself that to, but then I start thinking about how these years I'll be around are just a spec of dust compared to the rest of everything else and it freaks me out. At least talking about it seems to be making me feel a little better.
(I've even been reading some things that suggest the millennial generation may be the first to have a consistent lifespan of 100+, so that gives me some peace of mind.)
3901268
I actually didn't remember this until you linked it, but I've definitely seen it before. That would certainly be a nice reality.
3901271 Talking about something that bothers the person always makes them feel better. Heck. I'm a very young girl and I worry about that stuff sometimes.
(And that's good that you're getting some good information.)
If it still bothers you, I believe that you talk about with family or even friends!
I'm sure that your family and friends wonder the same thing. 
But all you can do is hold hands and hope for the best. 
I am a philosopher and a Spiritualist, and yes, I do believe in an afterlife I believe reincarnation is only a part of it though, there may be much more sort of like a beginning to a bigger picture, reincarnation, growth and destiny being further parts.
Essentially, our spirits are a type of energy and the law of conservation will not let that energy go, so to me, death is change to a new state of being, what that state of being is, I am really not sure, I have my guesses and beliefs on it, but I prefer not to say what they are at the risk of sounding crazy.
Anyway, I hope that helps
3901300
I'd be interested in hearing your beliefs, so feel free to shoot me a PM about it if you'd like. I'll listen to anything at this point.
I believe in rebirth and the afterlife. My ideas on metaphysics aren't too set in stone though. I get most of my ideas from Theravada Buddhism and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. There's a cool channel on YouTube called Offthelefteye about Emanuel Swedenborg if you're interested.
I believe our sous are recycled to a degree, but my favourite theory is that when you die you start your life back over. You do it repeatedly until you've achieved the best case scenario for your life then wham, you move on to something great. it's weird, but I like weird.
Either that or we truly just fade away. I'm fine with that honestly. I do enjoy life and it's struggles, but if I were to die, then something crazy must've killed me. I won't go down without a fight. If I die then oh well, I tried.
Dead like a pigeon
The after life is anything you want it to be. And look at it this way, you hear all those stories about ghosts? Paranormal activity? Well.. If those exists there has to be something after death, maybe you just become a ghost and wanted forever? Who knows. But I sure as well believe in ghosts, I live in a haunted house for fucks sake. Not one night goes by without me seeing shadows and hearing things.
I don't personally believe in the afterlife or reincarnation. Wearing yourself out physically may help, maybe run a few laps.
I haven't believed in souls or thought that there's anything after death since I was very, very young. That may be why it's never bothered me.
Why would you look for solace about mortality in reincarnation? Most types of Buddhism and Hinduism (the main contemporary religions with a belief in reincarnation) teach that life is suffering, reincarnation is a continuation of suffering, and the ultimate goal (parinervana or moksha) is to escape the cycle of rebirth. I'm sure they'd be delighted if they found that all death was permanent.
I'm not going to try to reassure you that there's something after death. I think it's better to ask: what's wrong if there isn't? What's so disturbing about the possibility that one day you will cease to be?
Everything in the universe is tiny compared to the rest of the universe. Do you wish the universe were smaller compared to you? Would you be happier if there weren't a vast universe you'll never be able to explore?
What will you do differently in this life if there is life after death? Will it change how you spend your time? Will you spend less time with your friends? More? Will you spend more time on your hobbies? Or less? Will you enjoy your life more, knowing that death is a transition rather than an end? Will food taste better? Will ponies be any more adorable?
I can't put myself in a mindset where it matters whether death is permanent. If some part of me continues on after death without my body or my mind or my memories, it won't be me. Not in any way that's meaningful. What part of yourself are you trying to hold on to?
Also, I apologize if my comment makes you feel worse. That wasn't my intention. My intention was to try to get you to think about the problem from a different angle. Solutions never come from thinking of the same problem the same way over and over again.
This is from me personally, but I find it hard to believe in absolutely nothing after.
3901616
It's more that I like what we have going on here and don't want to miss out on it.
And like, y'know, space travel and stuff. That stuff seems cool and it would suck to not be able to experience it.
3901635
Yeah, that does suck. Not much to be done about it, though. Either science will deliver some sort of clinical immortality before we die, or it won't. My fingers are crossed, but I'm not optimistic about the chances.
3901616
I've long been of a simple mindset on this. This is what we have. We're not beholden to anyone to judge us after but those who knew us and remember us.
It's actually rather freeing.
To quote one of the best, Mr. Neil Gaiman : "You get what anyone gets. You get a lifetime. No more, no less."
Ah. Existential crises are no fun. I can empathize what you're going through, but what you're looking for doesn't really have a discrete, measurable answer.
Having gone through something similar, I can only offer you what I came up with. Life is indeed what you make it, and how you choose to interpret it. If you do your best to strive and grow and love and go beyond your limits, the richness of your life should compensate for whatever length it may end up.
In the end, the length shouldn't matter, just how you spend your time, right?
With that said, there may be something beyond the veil. We have no way of knowing, nor really comprehending what it would be to exist in a manner different than we are.
And hypothetically if death was the last, you still live on in the memories of your friends, family, and others that hold you dear. I believe the phrase goes something like "A man dies two deaths: first when he expires, then when his name is never spoke again".
To consolidate this wall of text: "Be the best you can be."
Not an afterlife kinda guy. As much as I like to imagine Scalia being moved off the party cloud while Prince and Elvis do a set, I can't bring myself to put any real cash on that bet.
Death, in my opinion, is likely the end of it. Now, this is sad to consider as one who's still alive. Plenty of things to do. Not to make an appeal to consequence, but holy crap, can you imagine how bad some afterlife scenarios really are? Anything with a Hell sucks if you didn't roll the dice on the right interpretation of the right book. Buddhist and Hindu reincarnation cycles are burning off bad karma for things you don't even remember doing, possibly for eternity, and possibly as a dung beetle or tapeworm.
Really, I think there are more bad ways to live after death than there are good ones. Nonexistence seems pretty good when looking at the whole bingo card.
All the more reason to suck the marrow out of life while you can he says while putting off his stories for Dark Souls 3 and other bullshit.
Don't kill yourself.
3901751
I'd never. I have the exact opposite problem of someone who's suicidal: I want to live too much.
I don't believe there's an afterlife, I know there is.
With as much assurity as I know that I exist, I received a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, and that book affirms the existence of an afterlife. Therefore, I know there's an afterlife.
I don't share this lightly, but since you asked, that's my answer. I know some people will think I'm full of it, but I prayed sincerely to God to ask if the book is true. I then experienced something so far beyond the capability of my imagination (which is quite capable) and my ability to describe it. It was like this great feeling of warmth, comfort, and just pure knowledge straight to my mind, but none of those words really do it justice. I have never experienced anything like that before or since.
And so, I feel like it's my duty to share that experience as best I can with you. You know, I'm in my thirties now, but I have never gone through what you're going through. Sure, I've been depressed at times and life isn't always happy, but I have never worried about death like that. If you can find faith like that, you won't ever again either. Whatever path you take, I wish you the best of luck.
3901856
Hearing personal accounts like this helps out a lot, seriously. Afterlife, reincarnation, or whatever, it's better than nothing, which isn't even comprehendable.
I'm a strict atheist, and I rather firmly believe in an afterlife/reincarnation of sorts.
It's complicated to explain and it involves a lot of math, but it's solid theoretically. I'm writing a book on it.
Why? Will you end yourself if we tell you we do? Do reconsider then. It probably hurts a lot... Or have you recently lost someone? My condolences if that's the case.
That said, I do believe in afterlife. I find Pratchett's vision of it particularly interesting. Basically, character in Pratchett's novels go to this afterlife they believe in: you know, Vikings to Valhalla, etc. I wonder whether the reason I find it interesting isn't because it is the perfect embodiment of wishful thinking - even more than your average afterlife. Who wouldn't want to justify their existence by some greater schemes or plans?
I know I would. After all, I can't honestly say my life makes much sense. I idle it slowly, day after day, with full realization that if I were to die right here, right now, nobody would even bat an eyebrow. It would definitely bring some level of comfort if I were sure that there is something on the other side. Then again, JHWH, Allah, Budda, Celestia, my spiritual guide or whoever would probably bash me hard in the head for wasting the chance I was given in this life, so yeah...
So you said such anxieties and fears come round the 25th bday? Do they ever pass? Well, I'm over 30 now and it only gets stronger...
Only you stop caring somewhere along the way... At least I did. 
I dunno, perhaps the both of us should just find a goal in this life rather than seeking it in the next? Or maybe just embrace and accept how worthless our life really is and stop giving a fuck?
Yeah, I'm not helping. Sorry, I will just shut up now.
3902640
Keep me updated on that book. I'd love to read it. I'm currently looking into two books by Jim B. Tucker, and a couple by Ian Stevenson.
3902956
I'll try to remember.
Also, separately: see a doctor about depression immediately. You need to recognize that what you're feeling is not something you have direct control over, and you need some assistance to get better. There are plenty of medications to try these days, and most ponies find relief from them. I say this having lived with major depression for pretty much my entire adult life.
That existential thing is something we all go through, I think. I had it in my 20s, despite the fact that I was a supreme holy roller and utterly convinced of the reality of the hereafter. I still get it occasionally.
You've had a system shock. It's normal. It sucks. It will pass. Until then, remember that you are here, now, and nothing can change that.
Occasionally I feel that bit of panic and despair one feels when you think about the fact that your life will decline and eventually expire. It can be haunting. However, I have faith that when I die my spirit will be alive until the resurrection, when everyone receives their perfect bodies. That fact gives me comfort. I'm a Mormon, and we believe that life is part of a great, eternal round, and that "As man is, God once was, and as God is, man may be". If we are "properly responsible," aka righteous, we can have everything that God has and be sealed to our families forever.
If you want to talk about it or have any questions, feel free to message me. I'm glad to talk to anyone ^.^