(Continued from Memories of Past Lives, Part I)

The child is destined to come back crippled as a consequence of her own actions, whether or not she was pushed over a cliff. If her sister, now her mother, hadn't push her over a cliff, she would still be born crippled to another family so that she and the family would both learn from their mistakes.

Similarly, the mother is destined to care for a crippled child and one would come to her whether or not they had been sisters. So, whose fault is it that they both find themselves in this situation? I am sure you already know the answer to the question, which is that it is nobody's fault. It simply means that cosmic laws are being fulfilled in each of their lives not as a punishment but as a learning experience and to lift their souls to a higher level. If there is blame, it belongs to both people for their respective parts in bringing about their current experience.

This example should indicate that contrary to certain misconceptions, destiny and karma do not involve "an eye for an eye." In other words, if one person pushes another person over a cliff to her death, it does not mean that the perpetrator will be pushed over a cliff in another life. It does not mean that a person who shoots and kills another person will be shot and killed or that a person who commits suicide will always commit suicide.

Imagine also what it would be like to know that your current partner caused you pain and unpleasantness in a past life or for your partner to know that he is unhappy and suffering now as a result of his past life relationship with you. If two people were able to recall painful memories of being together in a past life, chances are they would both try to avoid being in a relationship or having anything to do with each other in this life.

Note that the examples above were made up to illustrate a point and in no way reflect any particular person's experience. If you happen to find yourself in circumstances similar to the examples, do not assume that your situation is a result of a past life experience, and do not assume that you are being punished for past actions. Remember that everyone's experience serves a different purpose.

This thought-provoking book may comfort you, intrigue you, or surprise you regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs. At the very least, it will help to explain many of the extraordinary events and mysteries we all encounter in our lives.

In Voices from Beyond: The God Force, the Other Side, and You, the author takes you on a pilgrimage to the edge of what you know and what you believe, and gently guides you to unimagined places.

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