Reincarnation: The Phoenix Fire Mystery : an East-West Dialogue on Death and Rebirth from the Worlds of Religion, Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Art, and Literature, and from Great Thinkers of the Past and Present

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Joseph Head, S. L. Cranston
Julian Press, 1977 - Body, Mind & Spirit - 620 pages
"Reincarnation: The Phoenix Fire Mystery is an anthology that brings together minds of the most diverse characters, tastes, and intellectual pursuits, and is sure to appeal to: seekers of a basic education into the meaning of reincarnation: what is human beings is supposed to be reborn and why it returns; why people in general do not remember past lives; how that memory can be regained; what happens after death; why human beings cannot incarnate as animals; the significance of the rebirth of the solar system; the evolution of the Great Teachers of humanity through reincarnation...scientifically minded people who tend to dismiss all theories of immortality as products of wishful thinking. The articles presented examine the extensive research into reincarnation conducted by esteemed scientists and reported in scholarly books and scientific journals...the growing number of individuals interested in Oriental religions and philosophies. Selections in this volume prove, however, that reincarnation is not peculiarly an Eastern idea, but has numerous representatives in every era of Western thought from Pythagoras and Plato onward...people who have rejected the possibility of reincarnation because 'no one has ever come back to tell us.' Personal stories and case histories of individuals who from all accounts 'have come back to tell us' are recounted in great detail...persons of Western religious background desirous of returning to the original inspiration of their Great Teachers and Prophets. Quotations are included from the Bible and other religious works that speak of reincarnation; church writings explore the hidden facts of how this ancient tenet--taught by some of the greatest of the Church Fathers--became divorced from Christian teachings...students of history and early cultures. Through myths and historical writings this volume illustrates the universal prevalence in antiquity of a belief in many lives, which led Jung to remark that reincarnation is 'an affirmation that must be counted as among the primordial affirmations of mankind'...lovers of fine literature. The thoughts of classical and popular authors on reincarnation are generously represented...searching minds reaching out for fresh, maturer answers to life's perplexing problems and mysteries. The chapter 'New Horizons in Science, Psychology, and Philosophy' offers responses from the world's most important thinkers...teachers, aware of the keen interest of students in reincarnation, but discouraged by the dearth of reliable material. This thoroughly documented work is an ideal text in courses of comparative religion, philosophy, and parapsychology."--front and back flaps.

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Contents

LANGUAGE OF MYTH AND SYMBOL
15
THE RELIGIOUS VIEWEAST AND WEST
34
REINCARNATION AMONG THE EARLY RACES
187
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