Reincarnation and past lives are really a cornerstone of metaphysics. As our souls wish to experience life in its entirety on the earth plane, we have incarnated repeatedly in all kinds of lives. In the hundreds to thousands of incarnations, we have been males and females, rich and poor, famous and notorious, heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual, saints and sinners, kings and peasants, monks and prostitutes, judges and thieves, authorities and murderers.
Among the foremost researchers on reincarnation, Dr Ian Stevenson and Dr Jim Tucker of University of Virginia Medical Center have conducted scientific research into young children's reports of past-life memories and documented more than 2,500 cases.
Resolving karma is often cited as a reason why our souls would want to incarnate again. Some metaphysics teachers taught that we can leave the wheel of reincarnation after we have cleared our karma. Others felt that incarnation is a soul choice and it is always the soul's decision to want to come back or not. Hence, incarnation is often either seen as lessons for soul growth or simply soul experiences.
Another common theme is that all incarnations - past, present and future - really happen at the same "time" since time is an illusion. Nevertheless, it is usually agreed that we are focused on a particular incarnation now and experience a linear form of time for a purpose. Hence, past and future lives are valid concepts from our current perspective of this particular incarnation.
Edgar Cayce offered a perspective:
A soul selects that environment (parents and family, location, personal obstacles, etc.) which will best allow for the learning of lessons it needs for completeness. The goal is to fully express love in all the challenges which physical life offers. One's experiences are subject to the choices made with free will. As one grows, he or she learns-or rather remembers-his or her true relationship with God and one's heritage as a spiritual being. With free will, we can turn the challenges life presents to us into stepping-stones toward growth, or we can see them as obstacles and stumbling blocks. Either way, we reap what we have sown. We constantly meet the consequences of previous deeds and attitudes.
Also see topic: Soul Evolution
Further reading
Finding My Religion: Psychiatrist Jim B. Tucker studies past-life memories of children
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2006/06/12/findrelig.DTL
Brian Weiss: Growing Over Lifetimes
http://www.lifepositive.com/Mind/personal-growth/past-life/brian-weiss.asp
Edgar Cayce on Reincarnation and Past Lives
http://edgarcayce.org/about_ec/cayce_on/reincarnation/reincarnationpastlives.html
Maitreya on Past Lives
http://www.maitreya-edu.org/teachings/pastlives.php
Kevin Williams's Research Conclusions on Near Death Experience and Reincarnation
http://www.near-death.com/experiences/research35.html
