Since ancient times, the knowledge of the human soul and its nature, questions of life and death, as well as immortality, have been central to the knowledge of oneself and nature. Philosophers of the whole world in different eras have tried to solve the mystery of life after death. All these reflections changed under the influence of social development and religious beliefs, but such a concept as the transmigration of the soul is visible in many philosophical movements.
The definition of metempsychosis in philosophy
This concept appeared in ancient times, and then was developed in our era. Metempsychosis is the process of moving the soul to another body. In other words, it is a process of reincarnation.
It should be noted that different ancient philosophers had different views on this phenomenon. For example, Heraclitus and his followers speak of a special hierarchy along which the soul of a person can ascend or descend, depending on what he does in this life. Philosophers often gave a clear structure of this process and argued that for good deeds in the next life, the soul would be allowed to move into the body of a higher being or person in more favorable conditions for life. For bad deeds, on the contrary, a person can be imprisoned in the body of an animal.
Pythagoras, in turn, perceived metempsychosis, rather as a legend, mythical fiction, but he highly appreciated it for the function of moral control that this phenomenon fulfills. In his opinion, a person who believes in the transmigration of the soul will not succumb to the temptation to lead an unrighteous lifestyle.
According to other philosophical currents, metempsychosis is a chaotic movement of the soul into a "random" body. In this case, we are talking about supporters of indeterminism, who, in their thoughts, come to conclusions about the randomness of any phenomena.
Relocation of the soul in terms of religion
Metempsychosis is a very common concept in many religions. Very often it is religious influence that determines philosophical views.
Eastern religions and beliefs more than others thought out and systematized the process of resettlement. As in the philosophy of Heraclitus, in this case there is a clear "ladder", a kind of hierarchy, a place in which is obtained by good deeds in the current life. It is also accepted in this group of religions that for righteous behavior in this life you can recall past experience. However, this is achieved by complete enlightenment.
American, and in particular Native American, beliefs also speak of relocation. In this case, the highest reward for humans is the transfer to the body of the totem animal protector. Also, in some tribes, resettlement occurs only within the clan, and a person who has left the family no longer has the opportunity for rebirth.
In some interpretations of Islam, traces of metempsychosis can also be found. However, in this case, the relocation will occur only on the day of judgment, when Allah will create new bodies for each soul.
Evidence of metempsychosis
Nowadays, this phenomenon seems more mythical than real. However, for many parapsychologists and researchers of such phenomena, metempsychosis is a reality.
So, at the moment, a lot of research has been collected by independent experts, recorded and analyzed, when a person has a possible recovery of memory about a past life. Most often, this manifests itself in a sudden opportunity to speak a previously unfamiliar language, memories of people or a place that a person has never seen. Such cases are documented worldwide and are thoroughly monitored.
One of the most amazing ways to remember a past life is hypnosis. In this state, people often remember and tell things that they do not remember in the normal state. There were recorded cases when people's stories in a hypnotic state were confirmed thanks to articles in newspapers, historical facts, even the previous name of a person could be assumed.
