Wednesday, March 03, 2021

Reincarnation...Living Before

Since the first time I ever heard or read anything about reincarnation, I instantly felt there was truth to it.

For me, the belief that my soul returns from previous lifetimes seems totally natural because the soul never dies. It continues to live on. The body is merely the vehicle through which the soul travels. 

In my mid-30's, when I was investigating the whole purpose of life, I left myself open to many different theories, philosophies, and beliefs.

However, for as open and receptive as I am, I question everything. 

I have also come to understand that not everything can be 100% proven, but that some things are just a “knowing."

I believe that life is very much like attending school, and the whole purpose of being here is to experience things that my soul has come to learn. And I also believe that it may not be possible to experience these things in one single lifetime.

There had been many times in my life when I felt that reincarnation was possible, but there was one time in particular that made me believe it beyond the shadow of a doubt. 

Back in the 90's, I had the opportunity to visit the country of Japan.

Now Japan was not a place I ever had the desire to visit, nor was it a place I ever thought would hold any interest for me. But I accepted an acting job because I thought traveling to another country would be a new experience; not to mention that the salary I was offered was quite tempting. 

So I went.

And boy, am I ever glad that I did because the experience was life-changing. 

I spent a little over two months in the city of Kobe performing in a theatrical production, during which time I had the opportunity to visit the magnificent city of Kyoto.

And it was while I was in Kyoto, I knew in my soul that this place was extremely familiar. In fact, even before the train pulled into the city, something told me that I was about to experience an "awakening”. I remember looking out of the train window and noticing the misty morning fog still hovering over the mountain top. It was very early in the morning when we arrived, therefore we caught the sun rising. And it was stunning.  

As our cast members and tour guide walked through the narrow little streets that led us to the area where the ancient temples were located, I was overcome with emotion. Once we actually got to the temples, I told a close friend of mine who was also in the cast that I wanted to be alone so that I could walk the grounds by myself.

I remember sitting down on a bench in a secluded area and breaking down into tears.

It felt as though I had come home.

And it wasn’t just the breathtaking beauty of the place that affected me, it was something much, much  deeper.

It was as if a memory had been reignited within my soul. 

While touring the temples of Kyoto, visitors were permitted to go inside and actually perform the traditional rituals that the Japanese do when they pray. And while I was performing some of these rituals, it was as though I had done them before. I could feel the sacredness and reverence of why I was doing them. 

Throughout the duration of our visit to Kyoto that morning, I felt myself more and more connected to the Japanese people and their culture, as if I were one of them.

This feeling of familiarity continued throughout my stay in Japan. And when it was time for me to return to the States, it was extremely difficult. I remember sitting on the plane next to my good friend. And as the plane pulled away from the gate I said to him, “I feel as though I’m leaving my home.”

It took several months for the feeling of homesickness to dissipate. And even to this day, I still feel a deep, deep connection to Japan. Particularly, Kyoto. 

When reflecting back on my life, I can recall a familiar feeling I had while looking at a painting or a photograph; seeing a particular period-style of clothing; hearing a specific piece of music; or even meeting someone for the first time and not feeling like it was the first time, but rather as if I had always known them. 

And immediately sensing deep within myself…

a powerful knowing.

Min'na subarashī tsuitachi o

(which means, "Have a great day everyone!" in Japanese)

*photos from Unsplash