It is a thing. If you're the type of T-man reader that can't read more than a paragraph or two, please move on.

First up . . define spirituality. AI says it is the human tendency to seek deep meaning, purpose, and a sense of connection to something larger than oneself, which can include the universe, nature, other people, or the sacred, without necessarily needing an organized religious institution.

Next . . what is reincarnation. Again, AI says reincarnation is the philosophical or religious concept that the non-material essence of a living being—such as the soul, mind, or consciousness—begins a new life in a different physical body or form after biological death.

My background: raised as a Baptist, then switched over to the Methodist church in my teens. Haven't attended any church on a regular basis since. Air Force from 70-74, trained as a Vietnamese interpreter, spent a year plus in SEA including a year in Thailand. Went through a variety of different ways of looking at things in life during that year. Volunteer work in a leper colony for a while really turned a mental corner.

Came back to the world, went to school and then proceeded to teach high school biology for 31 years. I believe in evolution, but i don't get mired down in "the beginning." The Galapagos Islands fascinate me as well as the theory of Plate Tectonics . . our existence on this planet is but a blink of the eye in geological time.

Retired now for 16 years. Plenty of time to reflect on "things" whilst pursuing life and dreams.

I believe that I am spiritual in nature, but do not feel bound to pledge religious allegiance and attend any one church. Whose religion is the "correct" one? Seems to me religion has driven more death and suffering than any other factor, and continues to do so in some parts of the world. What I find especially annoying is this belief among some that everything that occurs is all part of God's plan.

My personal guide to life is a combination of following the Boy Scout Law and the Ten Commandments, though i fall short of fulfilling both. But at least I try.

I have discovered that sharing certain events in my life have brought forth the following reactions: misbelief to the point of being harassed or intimidated, misbelief with loud laughter, misbelief with nervous laughter, a reaction that could be either way . . not sure, belief with nervous laughter, and belief wanting more evidence. To the nonbelievers I really don't care what you think, I have nothing to personally gain by sharing except to hear from others who also have had similar experiences and continue the discussion.

All that being said I have had experiences with two areas that, when shared, bring forth a variety of reactions.

The first is my experiences with UFOs. This topic has come up before here, and some of you PMd me and that discussion continued. For another time again if it comes up. I will say "they" are getting closer.

And that brings me to rvsask's quote above, I do believe that I am spiritual enough to believe reincarnation is a thing. And I draw from past experiences to cement this belief.

I have this friend who has the ability to foresee certain events and communicate with those who have departed this world. I couldn't dispute the forecasted events, since they eventually occurred, but had a hard time believing in the communication thing. If anything, it made me nervous and I disregarded it, though I witnessed evidence of it and won't get into that here. His point was . . we all have this ability but do not know how to develop it.

That worked for me until after my divorce and was back in the dating game in 1998. Was dating this gal that was on the very tail end of a relationship. She had already moved out but needed to get a few things out of his place and he wasn't being very cooperative. Well, we backed the truck up one day while he was at work and loaded her remaining possessions up. No problems later. However, within a week or so in the middle of the night in my own home I awoke to see a ghostly figure standing at the doorway to my bedroom. He identified himself as this gal's father, and thanked me for doing what I did. Then turned and disappeared in the hallway.

The next time I visited this gal I asked her for a picture of her father. She produced it and oh yea . . . indeed it was him. He had passed away years before.

Awhile after that the two of us were lying side by side one evening and she happened to lay her hand on my forehead. Immediately . . it was as if a video started in my mind. I was seeing older people I did not recognize doing things, I described them and as i did she identified each of them by name, all had passed away at some time in her life, When she raised her hand the news reel would stop, Back on it started up again. I have never had anyone do that since. Made me nervous.

That being said, I recently did that to my mother as she laid there in bed this spring hanging on as best as she could. She wasn't much there, barely sipping water from a moistened sponge to her lips, unable to speak. 94 and strokes. I laid my hand on her forehead and her face just relaxed, and then a smile appeared, and then she opened her eyes and looked into mine. And I spoke to her, and I believe she understood. Then she was gone a couple days later,

So time forward a bit from before, this gal and I parted ways, and I then met Susan online. This would be early 1999. Our first date was for brunch and soon as we met it was as if two old friends met. There was no nervousness, and the brunch lasted for several hours. I'm sure the waitress was waiting for us to free up the booth but we didn't notice the time slipping away. Not wanting to get mushy here and have this thing slide into a PG-13 scene, let's cut right to the chase.

"Some time later" in our relationship we were sleeping together in the same bed, when in the middle of the night we both sat up, looked at each other, and started talking about this dream we had, This dream we both had, at the same time. The same dream. Every aspect of it. Short version: we were driving through the mountains out west somewhere, not exactly sure where, but a road that had steep sides occasionally. It was an older vehicle with wood panels on the side. I was driving, Susan was next to me, though our appearances were different than now. In the back seat were two girls. We "recognized" them as her youngest daughter and my youngest daughter. Her youngest was living with us and was 7. My youngest had been born Down Syndrome and was shared with my first wife but soon died at the age of 25. Both of them looked different and appeared to be normal. An event occurred that caused the car to go off the road and down the mountain side. We all died. Neither one of us can see in the dream what caused it.

We have not pursued old newspapers or the internet in an attempt to identify this family. But we both believe in reincarnation of souls.

There's so much more, but this is enough.

I have no reason to make any of this up. If you don't believe it, I couldn't care less. If you do believe these events occurred, well, then maybe it will help open doors for you that you've kept closed for whatever reasons.

Look forward to it. Truth be told it is far, far more interesting and appealing than anything else I've heard about what will happen when i die. (personally)

The traditional Eastern view of reincarnation probably isn't what you think it is. Physical existence and the endless cycle of rebirth leading to sorrowful life and painful death was more like a curse. The goal was to escape, not to enjoy having wings for a few years and then a tail after that.