There is overwhelming evidence that most individuals are capable of perceiving themselves as being a totally different individual/personality living a completely different life sometime in the past.  These realizations are obtained mainly through hypnosis, but are also common in other altered states, like meditation and out of body.  Many of these people recall names, dates, events, and other knowledge that they were ignorant of before hand.  Some were even able to speak languages totally unknown to them.  There are also many cases of young children having these types of "memories," likewise recalling information they had no way of knowing. 

These are document facts, and are more or less undebatable.  However, it is the interpretation of these fats where the issues arise.  There are several popular explanations among those who accept these findings as truth and actually put thought into their meaning. 

Some believe that these individuals are tapping into the collective unconsciousness, which contains the memories of every human who has ever lived throughout history, and are experiencing the memories of other people first hand.  Others also believe that they are experiencing the memories of other spirits, but not by tapping into a higher source, but rather through a transference of energy from a discarnate spirit who has "possessed" or attached themselves to the individual.  This group generally does not buy into the reincarnation concept.

Others do believe these memories are reincarnationally linked to the person experiencing them, but there are even different interpretations within this group.  Some believe that these memories are from past reincarnational lives, and in between each one we spend time in the spirit world planning and preparing for the next life.  Others believe that these reincarnational selves are actually part of a larger self- the oversoul/higher self/disk, and that these other lives are shared by each member of the oversoul/HS through the oversoul/HS, but not personally, and so these memories are part of the oversoul's collective experience.

So what does the evidence suggest?

Well, it seems that the first group, those who do not believe in the reincarnation concept, either are unaware of or deny the evidence for reincarnation.  This evidence includes detailed accounts of individuals' lives in between their physical lives, and the ways in which they are aware of planning and preparing for their next life.

I can see how it can be argued that the subjects under hypnosis may have been influenced by the hypnotist to conjure up such stories from their imagination.  However, these experiences have been reported by the most prominent hypnotists in the field, who are highly skilled at asking questions in a way that doesn't interfere with true memories.  This life in between lives has been recalled by so many individuals from all walks of life that it seems to be a universal experience.  It has even been reported by those exploring consciousness in other ways, such as astral and mental projections.

Other strong evidence for reincarnation is the strong connection between the individuals and their "past lives."  In many cases there have been staggering similarities between reincarnational selves.  For example, injuries are sometimes carried over to the next incarnation and manifest as birthmarks, scars, and even mysterious diseases.  The identities of the deceased past reincarnations have been confirmed in many cases, as well as the injuries suffered and their similarities to the present individual's marks.  Many times there are almost identical physical, emotional, and mental attributes between present and past incarnations as well, these similarities being documented facts. 

Is this connection a result of a random viewing of a memory from some random individual from the collective memory bank, or caused by a random discarnate spirit attachment?  This doesn't seem likely.  There seems to be a deeper level of oneness in these cases.

It has been argued that some children have what they think are past life memories, only the people they "remember" being are still alive, and therefore reincarnation cannot be the answer.  However, if our higher self operates in a higher spiritual dimension outside of our physical time/space construct, then logically it is not bound by time or space, and can incarnate at any point of time simultaneously.

Many prominent explorers of consciousness have discovered this to be the nature of reality.  This is not just a new age concept.  This idea has been part of many ancient civilizations' philosophies as well.

The only explorer I have come across who's findings go against the reincarnational model is Emanuel Swedenborg.  He went against his own judgement on the matter and confided in what an "angel" told him.  Of course, it is rather apparent in his work that his interpretations of his experiences in higher realms, while being advanced for his time, are rather crude by our own current metaphysical standards and findings.

So what we are left with is a truckload of evidence supporting reincarnation being the source of these memories, and virtually none that goes against it.  But there is still an issue.

Which version of reincarnation is true?  The version in which we are personally experiencing every life and plan for the next one in between them?  Or the version in which our higher self sends out a multitude of incarnations throughout time, each one personally experiencing just one physical life but also simultaneously sharing the experiencing all the other incarnations through the oversoul.  Is there some sort of middle ground?  My research has shown that there is truth in aspects of both versions.

Its hard to say, we are part of our over soul. The I, is merely a spark of the whole. There is indeed a repetitious program playing, one few break the cycle of.

The only way off the merry go round is through the heart and sacrifice for another, so as to ofter that other an opportunity too see.

We have for the most part participated in what would be called an endless cycle, being reincarnated time and time again. Due to our own inapt inability to face and overcome the program set out.

Its not a miracle that someone reincarnates, its a miracle if they don't.

   I have some thoughts on why reincarnation is a good thing. I'm fifty years old now and I've seen enough of human nature to make an educated theory, though not to say that my perceptions will stay this way as I get older.

   Hinduism and Buddhism consider reincarnation mandatory in order to work off karma and achieve enlightenment. This world is more like a school to me rather than a playground. I look at it like God's school of learning love, compassion, sharing, and self improvement.

   There are those who come here for nefarious purposes and upset other's plans while incarnate. This also makes reincarnation good for getting another shot at what was planned before the screw up by another being or beings coming here with there own agenda.

   When mixing many beings from different worlds are coming together on a planet and all of them randomly selecting available bodies to inhabit, planning becomes a difficult process. First timers, old timers, and drifters incarnating here make reincarnation tricky to accomplish any significant goals before leaving this physical existence.

Seraphis

What do you mean, "Reincarnation doesn't come into play?"  Like, it doesn't happen?  That is generally what that phrase means. 

How does one "misuse" Kundalini power?

Doc

You're idea that we can bypass all the intermediary subdivisions of the afterlife, such as focus levels and the higher self, and go right to source is very similar to what David Icke says.  He says that during an ayuasca trip he communicated with an aspect of source who told him that these intermediary areas are more or less traps which keep individuals confined to the physical reality system and prevent ascension into our true state of being, which is oneness with source.  I am sure there are others who have had similar revelations. 

I suppose it boils down to what our reasons are for being here.  If it is to just have a different type of experience and then move on, then perhaps it could be seen as a trap.  But what if our purpose for being here is to perfect our spiritual selves as physical beings, to the fullest extent that the physical system of reality will allow?  Then it can no longer be seen as a trap.

George

Why do you think that?

I don't see the connection.

I am sure there was some kind of connection.  What I am saying is I don't see the connection between your experience with the boy and your beliefs about reincarnation.