As living individuals, we are made up of everything we have ever experienced in past lifetimes. In other words, our present lifetime is a compilation of past thoughts, actions, and deeds, positive or negative, that we have brought with us. Because of past karma, we find ourselves being reborn into certain family situations with a particular economic and social status that is necessary for our spiritual growth. Before coming into an earthly incarnation, a soul prepares for its new life in the spiritual realms. It is common for a soul to return to a field of work which it had previous lifetimes of interest or experience. Let's say a soul plans to experience earth life in the year 2030 as, say, a doctor? It will spend time with its guides and teachers perfecting necessary skills and will look into medical breakthroughs and technologies that will be available at that time. It may also become aware of new diseases or scourges that will affect humankind, and it will learn how to help Spread knowledge and love to everyone through its potential work on earth. As a soul becomes aware of this knowledge, it is integrated into a new personality. It is vital the soul understands the value of its participation in the future of humankind and how it will affect the lives of many others. As spiritual beings, we are forever learning, developing, and evolving. We look at our future incarnation as sort of a blueprint of what we are attempting to accomplish and learn as we walk in the physical body. Therefore, we pick opportunities and experiences on the earth that are optimum for our spiritual growth and awareness. Our karma is intertwined with the timing of our next incarnation and our experience in it. Ultimately, we all are here to learn love. It may sound simple, but by and large, it is not easy. Love has many aspects. One of the first lessons we are attempting to learn is a love of self. Without love and awareness of self. we will not know how to love others. Once we have mastered such unconditional love of self and others, we become enlightened and have respect for the natural law of cause and effect-not because we want a better position in life but rather because we know it is the only way. By understanding this law, and by living it, we come to respect each other's uniqueness. Then we can live in accordance with our fellow human beings for the betterment of all.
The Inclination Toward Suicide This earth is a place to experience elements and aspects of the human condition we cannot experience anywhere else. It is a place of growth, and growth is never easy. Most people alive today are constantly challenged with worries of survival. We are bombarded by financial, employment, emotional, or health concerns. Many times these worries are associated with feelings of self destruction. We think, I can't get through this, or I would be better off dead. It is quite common for most people to feel suicidal at least once in their lives. However, this feeling comes and goes as situations change. The type of personality who is obsessed with the idea of self-destruction and makes several attempts to end his or her life usually belongs to one of the following categories: A person with a controlling personality~ and who feels out of control with their situation. A person who has a very negative self- image. They see themselves as worthless because they feel they contribute nothing to society, They think that the planet would be a better place without them. - Those who are terminally ill and don’t want to go through the pain and suffering of dying - Those who are mentally ill or have a biochemical imbalance.
It is understandable that because of certain feelings, circumstances. and beliefs, one could find a perfect rationale for doing away with one's life. However, from a spiritual point of view, it is not right. We each have a destiny to which we are born. Our karmic destiny may last for only one month, or thirty-five years, or eighty years. Before we return to this earth, we fill ourselves with a strong desire for birth and physical experience, and we enter this world with a timing mechanism built into our psychic web. When life is cut short, our physical body ceases to exist, but we must understand that the magnetic ties we have to the earth are still active. These ties are severed only when we have completed our preordained time on the physical plane. For as it is written, Every season has its time. When a person kills himself, one of the first things he realizes is that he is not dead. He has an overwhelming feeling of being very heavy because the earth ties are still part of his nature. In a way, we can say the soul is not totally free. The mortal personality dies, but not the immortal soul. The soul remains stuck between the physical world and the spiritual world-alive but unable to communicate with loved ones or anyone else. The soul feels guilt, pain, and anguish for a life cut short. He learns of his destiny and how beneficial and meaningful his life would have been if he had stayed alive. In the spiritual state, he becomes aware of who he had to go through the particular experiences that drove him to suicide. He also senses the grief and anger of those he left behind. The most unfortunate circumstance is that he finds himself in a limbo state. He is not able to go to the heaven worlds, nor is he able to return to the physical world. He is stuck in "no-man's-land" with the constant memory of his horrific act. He sees his death over and over again, and it plays like a bad movie. He is trapped, and there is no way out of the theatre. While some are conscious of what they have done, many suicide victims may not even be aware that they have passed over. On the whole, these souls automatically relive their final death over and over again. The suicide act becomes an endless loop, and it can be pretty gruesome. Eventually, the time comes when they realize that they are actually dead to the physical plane.
The Spiritual View of Suicide
Behind any act there is a powerful force known as motive. It is this motive that is the determining factor, not only for a suicide but for every action in our lives. Through motive comes action, and we create actions based on motives. As I have stated many times, there is a natural law of cause and effect. In other words, action is a direct result of motive. In the case of terminally ill or elderly persons, some are sick and want to save their families time, money, and heartache by committing suicide. These persons are unaware of the spiritual side of their actions. Perhaps before coming into the physical plane, family members set up certain conditions and situations in order to work out their group karma. Or they needed to experience being of service to the one who is ill. Furthermore, some argue that assisted suicide is best. It stops suffering and gives death some dignity. But who can play God? How do we know that a soul didn't choose to go through an experience of a fatal illness in order to burn away karma? If we cut short someone's natural time on earth, we never know whether something valuable could have been learned or whether such an experience was necessary to reach a new spiritual plateau. In any event, when suicide occurs, a soul will have to go through and learn the experience again, having to return in another lifetime with the same or similar ailment. The ailment may not be as extreme as it was in a previous life because part of it has already been lived out. Usually, a soul has to exhaust a disease so it can never be affected by it again. There are two exceptions to the error of suicide: 1. If suicide is brought about by individuals who are mentally ill or have a biochemical imbalance. In such situations, these persons are not completely conscious of their decisions. When they pass over, they find themselves in sort of a "ward" where they are helped to heal their mental conditions and their soul nature is restored to its proper state. 2. The second exception to suicide is a soul who comes back to the physical world before its proper time and is not mature enough to handle the lessons it thought it could. Even though a soul thinks it has certain strength, it arrives on earth and does not feel comfortable. Those with this shortcoming have often said prior to their death words to the effect: I don't fit in, or I don't think it's the right time for me. Because it is the nature of a soul to grow and learn, we always bring into our lives specific situations to overcome or balance out. If we realize that while on earth it is normal to experience physical, mental, or emotional pain, and suicide does not take away any of it, I believe there would be fewer suicides. We need to educate ourselves, and especially our young people, about the "wrongs" of suicide and accentuate the responsibility of living life fully.
How Can the Living Help the Dead? Many people have asked me: What should be done with the body of one who has committed suicide? The body is just a shell. Upon leaving the shell, the spirit feels no attachment to it whatsoever. It is like a worn-out piece of clothing. In the case of suicide or a tragic accident, it is important that the body be cremated. If a spirit is somewhat in an earthbound state, cremation destroys the body quickly, and the spirit will no longer feel any physical ties to it. It will be easier for the soul to become aware of its new situation. We must realize that this problem has no simple solution because the circumstances surrounding each suicide are different. But we can help those who have committed this terrible mistake. It is important to understand that our thoughts are the only way to get through to such victims. First, we can send thoughts to individuals and tell them to stop wasting their energy by trying to get back into the physical world. They must realize that they have passed out of the physical body. Next, we can then send them thoughts of love, peace, and forgiveness. By sending these beautiful thoughts, tormented souls will be comforted, and they will become more aware of their situation.
As I stated above, there are many different reasons behind an act of self-destruction, but the result is the same for all. To this day, I have not had one spirit come through and tell me they are happy with their decision, nor would they commit such an act again. Quite the contrary. All suicide victims share a sense of regret for the crime against their soul. I can say all of those who have come back have warned others not to repeat their mistakes. The suicide act slowed their spiritual progress, and they had a very difficult time forgiving themselves.
Extract from the book “Talking to the dead.” By James Van Praagh. Excerpts pages 149-156 ISBN 0-451-19172-2 signet inspiration publishers.