One or Many Lives? What the East and West Say About It 

Is This Our Only Life?

Most of us grow up believing that life follows a simple path: we’re born, we live, and then… that’s it. But what if that’s not the whole story?

In the West, the dominant belief—especially in Christian traditions—is that life is a one-time journey, with a single destination after death. Science, on the other hand, tends to see consciousness as a byproduct of the brain, ceasing to exist when we die.

But groundbreaking research challenges this idea. Dr. Ian Stevenson, a psychiatrist at the University of Virginia, spent decades investigating children who recalled past lives. These were not vague memories—they included names, family details, and events from a previous existence, often verified as real. His research suggests that reincarnation is not just a mystical belief, but something worth serious consideration.

What the East Has Known for Centuries

For many in the East, this is not new. Reincarnation is a fundamental concept in Buddhism, Hinduism, and other spiritual traditions. In Buddhism, life is seen as a cycle—not a single event. Death is not an end, but a transition.

Buddhist teachings describe samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Where we go next depends on our karma—the consequences of our actions, good or bad. This cycle continues until one reaches nirvana, a state of complete liberation from suffering.

In other words, life is not a one-way trip—it’s more like a series of chapters in a much bigger story.

Why This Matters

If reincarnation is real, it changes everything.

1. Life is not random. Everything we do carries weight. Our choices don’t just shape this life—they shape what comes next.

2. You take nothing with you—except your actions. Your money, job, and possessions don’t follow you beyond death. But the impact of your actions does.

3. If life is an ongoing journey, it’s worth understanding how it works. In the same way we study how to succeed in this life, Eastern wisdom suggests we should also study the nature of life itself.

The Limitations of Science—and a Different Way of Knowing

Western science relies on what can be measured. Since reincarnation doesn’t fit into a microscope or a lab test, many dismiss it as unproven.

But does that mean it’s not real?

Think about emotions like love, fear, or intuition. We experience them, but they can’t always be measured. Buddhism suggests that deeper truths—like reincarnation—can be experienced through meditation, much like how a telescope helps us see distant galaxies.

Final Thought: What If?

You don’t have to accept reincarnation as a fact. But what if it’s true?

If we do live multiple lives, then the way we live today matters more than we think. It means that being a good person isn’t just about morality—it’s about shaping our future, in ways we may not yet understand.

And if this life is just one chapter in a much bigger story, wouldn’t you want to make it a good one?

References:

• Universe and realms for cycle of lives (in Thai)

• Ian Stevenson and Cases of the Reincarnation Type