Masters of the Spirit World

QUESTION: Masters, could you tell us why Buddha concluded that “There is no soul. Therefore, there is no transmigration of souls. “And Ramana Maharshi: “Reincarnation exists only so long as there is ignorance. There is really no reincarnation at all, either now or before. Nor will there be any hereafter. This is the truth.” ~Mario, Canada

ANSWER: Part of the problem comparing philosophies from over 2600 years ago is in the semantics. When Buddha lived there was no common written language, so you have long periods of time using oral traditions, translations from various ancient languages, and differing inputs from factions of Buddhism. The only recording today is from the modern-day interpretations, and between sects, you will find some of their principles contradict each other.

Examining various types of Buddhism, you will find belief systems that exist on many different ideations. If you examine their sense of awareness, they all include a sense of the inner essence – a way in which some modern-day religions describe the soul. Just as there are many terms for the originator of all – god, creator, source, divine energy, there are many names for what it was that they created. In Western philosophies most have used the term soul.

Ramana Maharshi spoke of a spirit that transcends the death of the body, and of the eternity of existence. The biggest difficulty with the teachings of which you speak is that they were translated from his native Tamil and Sanskrit, even though he had learned English in his youth. Translations frequently reflect the opinions of the translator and not the intent of the original speaker.

Some of Maharshi’s teachings stated that your goal was enlightenment or awakening, and you never truly lived until you reached that plane. You then had nothing else you had to do, so there was no reason to try again. This is very much like exiting the “wheel of rebirth,” which is at the basis of many Eastern religions.

What is available to read today is someone’s recollection of what they believe was the intention in some remembered words of Buddha and Maharshi. You have to ask yourself: Why is it of importance to you? Do you wish to accept the beliefs of another? Something that you believe worked for them? Or are you seeking something that resonates within you and allows you to create a reality through beliefs that complete your human journey? If any of these ideas fit into your beliefs, accept them until they don’t any longer.

QUESTION: Masters who or what gets the final decision on human life termination? Many scientific monkey studies have concluded that extreme calorie restriction provides primates and humans with longer, healthier lives. Is this true? Is the healthfulness and length of our human lives dependent on human lifestyle or genetics or human will? Or is it dictated by the soul, higher self, divine self, source? I have known vile individuals who live healthy long lives while many kind and loving individuals meet illness and untimely deaths, not to mention suicides and accidents. Who or what is ultimately in charge of determining our individual health and longevity? ~Christina, USA

ANSWER: Everything that happens to the soul who has chosen to have a human experience is determined by that soul; no other person or thing has an influence in the final decision. It may appear as if other things influence the time of return, but when you examine the circumstances, you will notice that the events leading up to the transition were the result of decisions made by the soul.

Every person reacts differently to nutrition. It is a matter of fact that opulence has caused a decline in some people’s longevity because of overindulgence. Such decline can be exacerbated by lack of activity. Not just food but the whole lifestyle needs to be viewed before determining causal factors.

As you mentioned, family genetics can have an effect, but most important is the life lessons the soul has chosen. Did they choose to have a long or short stay? What medical or environmental concerns did they wish to experience? Do they place themselves in dangerous situations repeatedly?

You ask about influence from the soul, higher self, and divine self – those are all aspects of the same entity. Source, however, does not have a say in what occurs. What you choose is what you experience. Regardless of any other lesson chosen – such as evilness, illness, or accidents – it is all the will of the soul.

Souls have freedom of choice, which means if they learn a lesson, they may then choose to go in the opposite direction to experience the reverse. You may start out a horrible person to others, learn to love, and then become a philanthropist.

You (as does each individual soul) create your own reality by establishing an illusion that includes all the scenarios to answer all the questions you came to Earth to learn. Have fun while you learn and know you are in the driver’s seat.

QUESTION: Masters, can you explain how non-doership looks like? Is it believing that whatever is happening is Happening on its own? I have no control over my life? Where is the role of freewill in non-doership? ~Rimi, India

ANSWER: The term non-doership is a religious principle from the Vedanta, one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. These principles came from the ideas, speculations, and philosophies that emerged from the Upanishads. They arose when Indian mystics began questioning traditional Vedic religious order some 2500 to 2900 years ago. The Upanishads are considered the part of the Hindu scriptures wherein philosophy, meditation, and the nature of God are discussed.

There are a number of modern-day thinkers who define the term within twentieth-century parameters. They use references to spiritually accepted principles from Hindu understanding, other Eastern and Western organized religious tenets, and their own interpretations.

The basis behind all understanding is that you become aware of yourself. That looks different to each person, so the result of “non-doership” will vary with each one’s understanding. All spiritual awareness is dependent on getting one’s own answers from one’s own experience. You don’t need to adopt a terminology from someone else’s work or understanding. It must be unique to you.

Know what your goal is within the life you are leading. If it is to become fully aware of the soul inside you, work on that; define the accomplishments with your own words. You, as a soul, have total freedom of choice to do what you desire, to whatever end you seek.

Don’t try to duplicate what has worked for others because your life is different. Don’t try to learn the language of all the possible ways to know yourself that others espouse. Don’t worry about defining – just worry about acting toward an accomplishment. Be yourself.