The Ego and Our Real Self
I think most people reading this book have wondered about the purpose of our existence on the physical plane. This is especially true for those who have glimpsed for themselves – not merely been told – that there is so much more beyond this earthly dimension.
I have often asked myself questions like, ‘Who are we?’, ‘What are we doing here?’ and, ‘What happens after death?’
Over the years, I have been increasingly convinced that incarnation is our entry into the illusory state of being separate from God – also referred to as our ‘Divine Source’ or the ‘Supreme Source’ of life. As a result, we also perceive ourselves as separate from each other.
I do not believe this concept of incarnation has always existed in the history of humankind. I think that is why many cultures and religions talk about a mythical past when man lived happy and safe. However, in all such stories, man committed some transgression and lost that safety.
For example, according to the legend of Adam and Eve (specifically, the simplistic version of the original Hebrew myth[1] found in the Book of Genesis), man challenged God’s authority by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As a result, he was expelled from Earthly Paradise and became mortal.
Past life and interlife scholars also tell us that in their hypnotic regression sessions, they have encountered the idea that, as they are planning their ‘next’ incarnation, ‘young’ souls can show signs of ‘arrogance’. They do not listen to the advice of ‘Elders’ on what percentage of vital energy and emotional baggage to take with them to the physical plane. This determines their existential failure.
The notion that the trials and tribulations of humankind could be the result of some sort of challenge or arrogance shown towards the Divine (or the ‘Elders’) is, in my view, rather demeaning to humanity itself. It is also the source of much pointless suffering, as man has long been afflicted with a sense of guilt simply for being born.
On 17 September 1975, Dannion Brinkley, a 25-year-old from South Carolina with a rather shady past, was at home talking on the phone during a thunderstorm, when lightning struck the telephone line, unleashing thousands of volts of electricity into his body and smashing him against the ceiling. His heart stopped and, after being rushed to hospital, he was pronounced dead. His death certificate was prepared, he was covered with a sheet and about to be taken to the mortuary. He was clinically dead for 28 minutes before waking up on a hospital trolley. He tried to attract the attention of the people who, luckily, were with him in the hallway, by blowing on the sheet covering his face. In those 28 minutes, Dannion experienced an amazing NDE, which he talks about in his book Saved by the Light: The True Story of a Man Who Died Twice and the Profound Revelations He Received[2].
That experience changed Dannion’s life forever. In what was to be the first of three near-death experiences (although, as Dr Parnia points out, the term is inaccurate because he was technically dead) Dannion was shown the purpose of his life by 13 ‘Beings of Light’.
After an illuminating life review, which he experienced while in the embrace of unconditional love of one of these Beings, Dannion felt ashamed of the selfish, aggressive and sometimes sadistic life he had led. But instead of castigating him, the Being transmitted love and joy to him, which he could only compare to the ‘non-judgmental compassion that a grandfather has for a grandchild’. It was then that the Being of Light told him:
‘Who YOU are is the difference that God makes … And that difference is love.’
Dannion continues: ‘There were no actual words spoken, but this thought was communicated to me through some form of telepathy. To this day, I am not sure of the exact meaning of this cryptic phrase. That is what was said, however.’ After some time spent reflecting on the love he had withheld in his life so far, his sense of guilt melted in the loving embrace of the Being of Light. Dannion adds:
I could hear the Being’s message in my head, again as if through telepathy: “Humans are powerful spiritual beings meant to create good on the earth. This good isn’t usually accomplished in bold actions, but in singular acts of kindness between people. It’s the little things that count, because they are more spontaneous and show who you truly are.”
At the end of this experience, contrary to his wishes, Dannion apparently had no say in whether he could stay in that charming place. This speaks volumes about whether or not ‘re-birth’ is the result of a superficial exercise of our free will. I would be inclined to say that Dannion’s Whole Self was awakened by the experience, giving him the sensation of having no choice. After various visions in which he was shown several world events that were likely to take place in the future, and the nature of his mission on Earth, Dannion says:
As these visions ended, I had the amazing realization that these Beings were desperately trying to help us, not because we were such good guys, but because without us advancing spiritually here on earth, they could not become successful in their world. “You humans are truly the heroes,” a Being told me. “Those who go to earth are heroes and heroines, because you are doing something that no other spiritual beings have the courage to do. You have gone to earth to co-create with God.”
Seen in this light, incarnation is not an act of defiance or arrogance, but a brave, heroic way of collaborating with the Divine Source that so many near-death experiencers describe. Spiritual beings use it to explore the furthest corners of what is ‘possible’, by creating new nuances and bringing their own unique, indestructible personal identity to the physical plane. On this journey, our spirit guides or guardian angels are not there to judge us from above if we fail to take their advice, but instead are fellow team players striving for the successful realisation of the Grand Design…
[1] Taken from similar Sumerian and late Babylonian accounts heard by Jews once a year during their period of captivity in Babylon. For more on this, see Igor Sibaldi in La creazione dell’Universo, Sperling & Kupfer Editori, 1999
[2] First published by Villard in 1994. Harper One; Reprint edition, 2008
Looking Beyond the Fishbowl: A New Comforting Perspective on Reincarnation by Giulia Jeary Knap is available from http://amzn.to/2E4fQmb. Find out more here: http://fracieloeterra.org/reincarnationbook