Reincarnation and the Law of Karma: A Study of the Old-New World-Doctrine of Rebirth, and Spiritual Cause and Effect

The Story

This book embarks on a comprehensive exploration of reincarnation and the law of karma, tracing these doctrines from their earliest known origins through various ancient civilizations and into modern Western thought. It begins by defining reincarnation as the soul’s ongoing journey, not a fresh creation at each birth but a traveler passing through many lives. This foundational idea sets the stage for a historical and philosophical investigation.

The narrative first turns to the earliest races and vanished peoples, suggesting that the doctrine of reincarnation is ancient and widespread. It highlights the mysterious land of Egypt, the home of the Sphinx and the builders of the pyramids, as a key source of occult wisdom. Whether the Egyptians inherited these teachings from the lost continent of Atlantis or rediscovered them independently, their spiritual knowledge deeply influenced later traditions. The book describes the Egyptian conception of the soul and its journey, emphasizing the secrecy and depth of their inner teachings.

Next, the focus shifts to the Druids of ancient Gaul and Britain, who preserved and transmitted reincarnation ideas through their priesthood. The Druids’ knowledge, possibly linked to Egyptian or Greek origins, included astronomy, astrology, and symbolic rituals such as the mistletoe representing rebirth. Their influence survives in folk customs and stories of children recalling past lives, suggesting a cultural memory of reincarnation.

The Greeks and Romans receive detailed attention, with the Greeks portrayed as more spiritually advanced. Philosophers like Pythagoras, Orpheus, and Plato are credited with developing and refining reincarnation doctrines. The Neo-Platonists, following Plato, further elaborated on the soul’s immortality and rebirth. Roman spiritual knowledge is described as less developed, but the influence of Greek thought permeated the region. The Jewish tradition is examined next, revealing that early Jewish beliefs about the soul and afterlife were initially vague and evolved under external influences, including Egyptian mysticism. The Essenes and early Christians are noted for their secret doctrines, some of which embraced reincarnation or rebirth concepts, although these ideas were often hidden from the general populace.

India is presented as the “Mother of Reincarnation,” where the doctrine has flourished for millennia. The book details the Aryan origins of the belief and its central role in Hindu philosophy, particularly in the Vedas and Upanishads. Various Hindu schools, including the Yoga philosophy of Patanjali, are described as teaching reincarnation as part of the soul’s progression toward liberation. The text contrasts the eclectic Western Yogi philosophy with traditional Indian teachings, highlighting differences in cosmology and spiritual practice.

The narrative then turns to the modern Western world, where reincarnation has experienced a revival of interest. This resurgence is linked to the rise of occultism, mysticism, and comparative religion studies, especially following the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago. The Theosophical Society, founded by Madame Blavatsky, is credited with popularizing reincarnation and karma in the West. The book also discusses Christian reincarnationists who reconcile rebirth with orthodox faith, preferring the term “rebirth” to avoid pagan connotations. These believers see reincarnation as offering souls multiple chances to perfect themselves before entering heaven.

The book explores the state between incarnations, describing various astral planes and the soul’s journey after death. It explains how the soul sheds lower bodies and garments as it ascends spiritually, eventually reaching planes suited to its development. The text emphasizes that souls on higher planes can perceive those below, but not vice versa, illustrating a hierarchy of spiritual consciousness.

The author addresses theological objections to reincarnation, contrasting it with orthodox Christian doctrines of resurrection and original sin. He critiques the idea that souls are freshly created or that suffering is inherited from Adam, arguing that reincarnation better explains inequalities and moral development. The doctrine is also linked to scientific principles, such as the conservation of energy, suggesting that the soul’s journey through many lives aligns with natural laws of cause and effect.

The book concludes by discussing the law of karma as a universal principle governing spiritual evolution. Karma is portrayed not merely as moral reward and punishment but as a cosmic law of cause and effect that guides the soul’s progress. The soul’s experiences of pleasure and pain serve as lessons, steering it away from material attachments toward higher spiritual states. This ongoing process of reincarnation and karma leads ultimately to emancipation and reunion with the universal spirit.

Throughout, the text draws on a wide range of sources—ancient scriptures, philosophical writings, mystical traditions, and contemporary spiritual movements—to present a thorough and nuanced study of reincarnation and karma. It balances historical detail with philosophical argument, aiming to provide both intellectual understanding and spiritual insight.

The People

• The Ancient Egyptians: Custodians of deep occult knowledge, possibly heirs of Atlantean wisdom, they view the soul as a complex entity undergoing transformation. Their secret teachings and symbolic rituals form a foundation for later reincarnation doctrines.

• The Druids: Priestly teachers in ancient Gaul and Britain, they preserve and transmit reincarnation beliefs through ritual and folklore. Their knowledge of astronomy and symbolism connects them to Mediterranean spiritual traditions.

• Greek Philosophers (Pythagoras, Orpheus, Plato): Intellectual pioneers who develop reincarnation as a philosophical doctrine. Plato’s teachings, especially through the Neo-Platonists, refine ideas of the soul’s immortality and cyclical rebirth.

• Jewish Rabbis and Early Christians: Holders of secret inner doctrines that include reincarnation or rebirth concepts, though these remain largely hidden from the masses. Their beliefs evolve under external influences and internal theological debates.

• Hindu Philosophers (Aryan Teachers, Patanjali): The primary custodians of reincarnation doctrine, presenting it as a central element of spiritual progression and liberation. Their teachings emphasize karma, the soul’s entrapment in material illusion, and the path to emancipation.

• Modern Western Thinkers and Theosophists: Revive and reinterpret reincarnation and karma, blending Eastern philosophy with Western occultism and Christian thought. They promote reincarnation as a rational and spiritual explanation for life’s inequalities and moral development.

In Its Own Voice

The book offers direct insights into the doctrine’s depth and complexity:

“The soul, in spite of its journeys, in the midst of its incarnations and divers metamorphoses remains always identical with itself; only at each metempsychosis, each metamorphosis of the external being, improving and purifying itself, growing in power and intellectual grasp.”

This passage emphasizes the continuity and evolution of the soul through successive lives, highlighting growth rather than mere repetition.

“The ‘last vision’ of the past life, in which the events of that life are impressed upon the soul just as it leaves the body, is held to be a fact—the soul sees the past life as a whole, and in all of its minutest details at the moment of death.”

Here, the text describes the soul’s reflective experience at death, underscoring the importance of memory and learning in the transition between lives.

“The doctrine of Reincarnation fits in with the known scientific principle of conservation of energy—that is, that no energy is ever created or is lost, but that all energy is but a form of the universal energy, which flows on from form to form, from manifestation to manifestation, ever the same, and yet manifesting in myriad forms—never born, never dying, but always moving on.”

This quote links spiritual ideas with scientific concepts, suggesting a natural harmony between reincarnation and universal laws.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is a detailed examination of the doctrine of reincarnation as a universal spiritual truth, framed within the law of karma—cause and effect governing moral and spiritual development. It is not merely a historical survey but a philosophical argument that reincarnation offers a coherent explanation for many of life’s enduring mysteries: why souls differ in disposition and circumstance, why suffering and inequality exist, and how spiritual progress is possible.

The book challenges orthodox religious views, particularly Christian doctrines of resurrection and original sin, by exposing their logical and moral difficulties. It argues that reincarnation better accounts for the diversity of human experience and the apparent injustices of life. The soul’s journey through multiple lives, shaped by karma, provides a framework for understanding personal growth, moral responsibility, and ultimate liberation.

The text also explores the metaphysical nature of the soul and its relationship to the material world. It presents the soul as eternal and evolving, temporarily encased in physical forms but fundamentally spiritual. The intermediate states between lives, described as astral planes or soul slumber, are crucial for the soul’s purification and preparation for the next incarnation.

Another key theme is the universality and antiquity of reincarnation beliefs. The book traces the doctrine across cultures and epochs, showing its persistence and adaptation. This cross-cultural perspective underscores reincarnation as a perennial philosophy rather than a sectarian dogma.

The law of karma is portrayed not simply as a system of moral reward and punishment but as a cosmic principle of spiritual evolution. The soul’s experiences of pleasure and pain serve as signals guiding it toward higher states of being. This view reframes suffering as a necessary and instructive part of growth, rather than arbitrary punishment.

Finally, the book addresses the tension between faith and reason, tradition and modernity. It acknowledges the challenges of proving reincarnation empirically but argues for its logical coherence and experiential validity. The text invites readers to consider reincarnation as a serious philosophical and spiritual hypothesis that integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding.

Why Read It Today

This book offers a thorough and thoughtful exploration of reincarnation and karma that will appeal to readers interested in spirituality, comparative religion, and philosophy. Its strength lies in its wide-ranging historical scope and its careful, reasoned argumentation rather than sensational claims or mystical speculation.

Readers will find a rich tapestry of ideas from ancient Egypt, Greece, India, and early Christianity, woven together with modern Western interpretations. The book’s tone is warm and precise, inviting reflection rather than demanding belief. It challenges conventional religious assumptions and encourages open-minded inquiry into the nature of the soul and its journey.

However, the text’s age and style may present difficulties. Its language is formal and occasionally dense, reflecting early 20th-century scholarly conventions. Some period attitudes, especially regarding race and culture, may feel outdated or require contextual understanding. The book assumes some familiarity with philosophical and religious concepts, which may require patience from general readers.

Despite these challenges, the book rewards careful reading with deep insights into the perennial questions of life, death, and moral justice. It offers a perspective that integrates spirituality with reason and history, making it relevant for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of reincarnation beyond popular or superficial treatments.

Ultimately, the book stays with the reader by framing reincarnation and karma as not just esoteric doctrines but as meaningful explanations for the human condition—why we are as we are, why we suffer, and how we might grow beyond our present limitations. It invites a reconsideration of life’s purpose and the soul’s destiny, making it a valuable resource for thoughtful seekers today.