Do you want to know how it is I now believe in reincarnation?

Do you want to know how it is I now believe in reincarnation and say that other spirit-lives you find do not?

We are still very far from ultimate truth and people here [in the world of spirits] vary in their opinions and ideas just as they did on earth. 

We are still learning―

We have only gone a little further along the road of experience and have not reached the end of the journey. 

Yes―there is a Heaven but it is a long way off and has yet to be earned―even your very body, which is still fairly material will have to become more refined before you are fitted for that.

I am told by friends here that souls are sometimes reborn―reincarnated―to gain further experience―learn more life-lessons―or work out past sins and failings. 

Each earth-life leaves its mark on character―its lessons are forever imprinted on the subconscious mind, which registers everything that has ever happened to the soul from the beginning. 

This―they say―explains much of the pain and trouble you see on earth. 

The sufferers are learning lessons, which are necessary for their souls' growth, for you were put into the world to develop the spiritual. 

Spirit-lives may have lived before―or they may be new souls going through these experiences in one―or other of the stages of their existence―

It is all on the road of their evolution.

Families―friends―sections of nations in the revolving cycle of time reincarnate together very often, as they require the same experiences.

When you begin to think seriously about the subject and look and study the people about you, you will be able to recognise that some people are old souls―others new.

Past experiences, though not consciously remembered, tone down crudities of character. 

Old souls have a sympathy―a strength taught of pain and discipline, and are, therefore, considerate for others. 

When one knows many of the exceptionally-gifted young men who have passed over in this war, one realises they may have been old souls who gained their experience in the past and returned to earth, for a glorious culmination in this supreme sacrifice.

I have often heard people ask why God permits wickedness. 

If it were impossible for you to sin, you would no longer be a free agent, but an automaton. 

As you are on earth to learn your lesson and develop your soul―you must have your mettle proved. 

There would be no good without evil. 

Contrasts exist and are necessary―just as day and night―wet and fine―heat and cold―pleasure and pain―are only realised and appreciated through their opposites.

Old souls have learnt also to keep in touch with―draw from the God-force the actual Source of Life.

Psychically-developed people are especially in contact with it.

The soul has a separate consciousness. 

Many people's souls leave their bodies in sleep habitually―or under anaesthetics, and travel to various places―

Some on awaking are able to remember the scenes they have visited―

This memory can be cultivated. 

So you see the difference between sleep and death for some people is not very great after all―nor the passing painful―nor difficult.