Why Understanding Reincarnation Is Essential for Spiritual Life

Is there life after death? If so, what happens to the soul? In Spiritism, reincarnation answers these fundamental questions by explaining divine justice and humanity’s continuous evolution. Unlike the concept of resurrection, reincarnation shows that we do not live only once — we are immortal spirits inhabiting different bodies over time, learning, correcting mistakes, and developing virtues.

This article explores what reincarnation is, how it works, why it’s necessary, and how it builds a fairer, more fraternal world.

What Is Reincarnation According to Spiritism?

Allan Kardec, in The Gospel According to Spiritism, defines reincarnation as “the return of the soul or spirit to corporeal life in a new body, specially formed for it, having nothing in common with the previous one.”

In other words, when we die (disincarnation), the spirit leaves the body, spends time in the spiritual plane, and — when the right moment comes — is reborn into a new physical existence, gaining new opportunities to learn and grow.

Material and Spiritual Planes: Two Connected Worlds

To understand reincarnation, it’s essential to recognize that we live in two realms:

• The material plane — visible and physical, where we experience earthly challenges.
• The spiritual plane — invisible to the human eye, yet the eternal and primary reality of the spirit.

Our body is only a temporary instrument. The immortal spirit continues after death, retaining its individuality, character, tendencies, and knowledge.

Why Do We Reincarnate? Divine Justice and Progress

According to Spiritist teachings, God creates spirits simple and ignorant — without knowledge of good or evil but with equal ability to learn. Over successive incarnations, we gain experience, correct mistakes, and develop moral and intellectual virtues.

Each life has a defined purpose:

• Mission — rare cases where a spirit incarnates to benefit humanity.
• Trial — experiences that test resilience and spiritual growth.
• Expiation — opportunities to repair past mistakes from this or other lives.

Reincarnation demonstrates divine justice because no one is eternally condemned. Everyone receives new opportunities to evolve.

How Many Times Does a Spirit Reincarnate?

There is no fixed number. Each spirit reincarnates as many times as needed to achieve moral and spiritual maturity. Progress depends on free will:

• Spirits committed to doing good evolve faster.
• Rebellious or selfish spirits need more experiences to learn.

We change bodies, cultures, and families with each incarnation, but our individuality remains intact.

Can Spirits Reincarnate in the Same Family?

Yes. It is common for spirits to return within the same family to strengthen bonds of love, heal old conflicts, or assist in collective growth. In Spiritism, the family is a sacred school for mutual learning.

Why Don’t We Remember Past Lives?

Temporary forgetfulness is a blessing. It allows us to focus on present challenges without being trapped by past traumas or resentments. Nevertheless, we carry impressions from past lives:

• Personality traits and tendencies.
• Natural talents or early abilities (as seen in prodigious children).
• Instinctive affinities or aversions toward people or places.

Reincarnation vs. Resurrection

Resurrection, present in several religious traditions, suggests that at “the end of time,” souls would return to the same physical body. Scientifically, this is impossible since bodies decompose and disperse.

Reincarnation, however, occurs continuously. The immortal spirit takes on new bodies, living different experiences in each existence.

Is Reincarnation in the Bible?

While the word “reincarnation” is absent, there are clear references:

• John 3:3–7 — Jesus tells Nicodemus, “You must be born again to see the Kingdom of God.”
• Matthew 17:9–13 — Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the reincarnation of Elijah.

These passages reveal that spiritual rebirth was known to early Christians.

Reincarnation and Science: Evidence and Research

Researchers such as Ian Stevenson documented hundreds of cases of children recalling details of previous lives later verified as accurate. One famous case is Jasbir Lal Jat from India, who, after surviving smallpox, described the life of a deceased man named Sobha Ram with over 30 confirmed details.

Although science cannot absolutely “prove” reincarnation, serious studies provide strong evidence supporting it.

How Long Between Incarnations?

It varies. Spirits with greater debts reincarnate quickly to repair faults, while others spend long periods in the spiritual plane helping incarnates or preparing for new missions.

Do Perfect Spirits Stop Reincarnating?

Yes. When a spirit attains moral and intellectual purity, it no longer needs to reincarnate. However, some return voluntarily to help humanity — such as Jesus Christ and other great spiritual guides.

Why Does Reincarnation Matter in Practice?

Reincarnation explains the apparent injustices of life:

• Children dying young.
• People born with disabilities.
• Social differences, talents, and opportunities.

Instead of random punishments, everything aligns with the law of cause and effect, showing that each soul builds its destiny.

Recommended Reading

• The Spirits’ Book — Allan Kardec
• Reincarnation — Gabriel Delanne
• Missionaries of the Light — Francisco C. Xavier / André Luiz
• Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation — Ian Stevenson

Conclusion: Reincarnation Is Learning, Justice, and Love

Reincarnation is not punishment — it is an opportunity. It is God’s way of helping every soul evolve toward love, ethics, and fraternity. Understanding this principle shows that today’s choices shape tomorrow’s experiences and that we are all interconnected on the same path of spiritual progress.