Is Reincarnation Real?
Studying the Phenomenon of Existential Continuity
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Did you know an entire department of academics at the University of Virginia has studied the phenomenon of existential reality for decades? Most people I ask about reincarnation don’t think much about it. Nor do they know about the Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) at the University of Virginia. Because of my insatiably curious nature, I researched the subject further and decided to share what little I’ve learned.
What got me thinking about reincarnation was an encounter I had decades ago with a woman I met at a networking event. After the usual small talk, she said, “Let me see your hand.” After studying me and the palm of my hand for a minute, she said, “You were once a Native American chief who was killed during a battle against the army taking your lands.”
I don’t know why, but I believed her. That encounter was enough to inspire me to learn more. And I’ve researched it ever since. At the risk of my readers rolling their eyes in disbelief, or worse, here’s what little I know.
Reincarnation Defined
The concept of reincarnation, or the rebirth of a soul in a new body after death, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. From the complex doctrines of Hinduism and Buddhism to folk tales and narratives around the globe, reincarnation has found a place in various cultural and religious contexts.
Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious concept that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different physical body or form after each biological death. It is a central tenet in many Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, but the idea also exists in various other cultures and belief systems worldwide. The notion of reincarnation suggests that the soul or consciousness is eternal and undergoes a cyclical process of birth, death, and rebirth in different lifetimes, often with the purpose of spiritual growth or karmic evolution.
The University of Virginia — DOPS
The Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) at the University of Virginia was founded in 1967. It was established by Dr. Ian Stevenson, who served as its director until 2002. DOPS was founded to…
