First, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Of all the things for which we can be grateful, the most important is having a true guru who can lead us to God. Once we’ve reached the safe harbor of His presence, everything that happens in life—both the joyful moments and the difficult challenges—can be seen as part of a greater plan for our soul’s final freedom.

And this brings us to the subject of reincarnation. We spoke recently on this theme at a Sunday service, and many people told us how helpful it was for them. So I thought to share with you some of the ideas from that talk.

When considering reincarnation, people often make the mistake of focusing on who they might have been in a past life, or who they may be in future. This is a limiting approach, because it keeps our attention on the individual ego, reappearing in varying roles at different points in time.

It reminds me of a joke about a rich old man who consulted a psychic to find out who he would be in his next life. Then he proceeded to draw up his will, so he could leave all his wealth to himself in his next incarnation.

To focus on individual roles in past or future incarnations distracts us from the true lesson of reincarnation: that our soul is on a journey to dissolve all limiting self-definitions and to remember our oneness with God. Swami Kriyananda used a good image in describing reincarnation: a spiral stairway. This is drawn from Yogananda’s poem, “God! God! God!”:

From the depths of slumber, As I ascend the spiral stairway of wakefulness, I will whisper: God! God! God!

Image by NASA.gov.

Each of us must ascend our own stairway, which we ourselves have shaped by past thoughts and actions. Rather than wondering who we were in the past, it is far better to look at what challenges lie before us due to old karmic patterns. On every step of the stairway, we should ask: “What are the lessons I need to learn now in this lifetime?” Perhaps it’s softening a judgmental nature, or quieting reactive tendencies, or overcoming anger when things don’t go our way.

When people share with us problems that they’re facing, we sometimes ask them, “What do you think you’re supposed to learn from this situation?” It’s surprising how often they stare back at us as though the question had never occurred to them. Yet this simple question is necessary if we are to ascend the next step of the spiral stairway.

But remember, don’t expect the process to be an easy one. This stairway isn’t a conveyor belt that automatically carries us upward. Each step forward requires focus, commitment, and energy. Once we understand this, we discover an important key to overcoming karmic limitations from the past.

Master said, “The lesson of reincarnation is to neutralize the waves of likes and dislikes, of desire and aversion, by the expression of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion to all, and by steadfast contentment in the Self.” Transcending limiting habit patterns; living with acceptance of all; remaining aware of God’s presence within: These are the keys to inner freedom.

Yogananda’s most advanced woman disciple, Sister Gyanamata, wrote about this journey to soul freedom in a beautiful letter to him:

“You teach that it is folly to dwell upon the past or the future. The day that I am earnestly looking forward to, if I may look forward to that much, is the day on which I shall know myself free from all incarnations. . . .

“Whatever, whoever I have been in the past, in this—the most important incarnation of all—I am Gyanamata, the work of your hands. Please pray for me that I may stand firm and unshaken to the end.”

And this she did, achieving final liberation in God at the end of her life.

So, I give you (and myself) this challenge: Whatever is happening in our life right now, let’s ask, “What is the lesson I need to learn, and what can I do about it?” Answering this question sincerely—and acting on the answer—is the secret to stepping out of the revolving door of incarnations into true freedom and lasting happiness.

With joy and blessings in God,

Nayaswami Devi

Listen to Devi as she first reads the blog, then expands on its meaning and messages for readers with behind-the-blog commentary. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (9:34):

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