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I’ve just finished reading a fascinating book by Michael Newton, Ph.D., where he talks about hypnotizing thousands of clients who, under deep hypnosis, shared eerily similar stories about what happens before, during, and after life. As if that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, Newton even trained other psychologists in his methods, and guess what? Hundreds of thousands of people, when hypnotized, revealed the same spiritual cycle!
According to all these hypnotized souls, before we’re born, we engage in pre-birth planning—kind of like designing our own life curriculum. Apparently, we’re in charge of mapping out major life lessons, our purpose, and even tough relationships. We don’t just reincarnate randomly; we have karmic lessons to master, and we return time and time again, bouncing from one body to another like we’re on some spiritual upgrade program.
And that’s not all. After death, our astral body floats off into the ether, returning to our soul group (you know, the cosmic squad we’ve been hanging with for eons) for a life review. This isn’t some casual feedback session, though—it’s a review in front of a Council of Elders, who, I imagine, are like the spiritual equivalent of our school principals, but way more compassionate and all-knowing. They don’t scold us but help us understand what we did right, what went off the rails, and how to balance the cosmic books of karma.
The whole process is repeated until we’ve worked through all our karmic relationships, and apparently, we’ve got a soul contract with certain people who keep showing up in our lives. Whether it’s your clingy coworker or that best friend who seems to always understand you, they’re part of your soul group, here to either support your growth or trigger the lessons you need to learn.
So, dear Agony Auntie, I find myself contemplating all of this and thinking—what belief system do I belong to? I resonate deeply with the idea that we are fragments of a Creator, learning and growing through multiple lives, like students in an eternal spiritual school. But is this Hinduism? Buddhism? New Age? Or some cosmic buffet where I can pick and choose the spiritual dishes that nourish my soul?
I’ve always felt like there’s more to life than just this one shot. Newton’s findings are eerily comforting, like I’ve known this deep down all along. The idea that we plan our lives in advance, learn from each experience, and have a spiritual council guiding us back to our soul essence makes me feel less stressed about the missteps and hardships I encounter. It’s like the ultimate reassurance that no matter how crazy things get, it’s all part of the plan!
But, Auntie, here’s where I’m stuck. Can I call myself a New Age spiritual seeker? Or am I dipping into the well of Hindu reincarnation ideas with a splash of Buddhist karma on the side? Am I blending these ancient philosophies with modern-day mysticism and calling it my truth? Or is there a more defined belief system that wraps all of this up with a bow?
I’d love your guidance. Have I stumbled into New Age spirituality with its kaleidoscope of reincarnation, pre-birth planning, karma, and life reviews? Or am I just a cosmic wanderer picking up spiritual breadcrumbs from ancient teachings?
Help me figure this out, Auntie! Should I start reading the Bhagavad Gita, or am I fine as a spiritually eclectic soul, picking up pearls of wisdom from wherever they resonate?
With gratitude and spiritual curiosity,
A Seeker but not yet a Finder
Dear Seeker but not yet Finder,
What a beautifully rich and thought-provoking letter! First, let me just say how fascinating it is that you’ve found such resonance in Michael Newton’s work. The idea that so many people, under hypnosis, have shared this detailed cycle of pre-birth planning, reincarnation, and soul groups—wow! That’s not only intriguing but also deeply comforting, isn’t it? You’re certainly not alone in feeling drawn to this idea of a cosmic cycle where we plan, learn, and grow over multiple lifetimes.
Now, to address your burning question: what belief system does this all belong to?
The short answer? Your beliefs are wonderfully eclectic, but they are deeply rooted in several spiritual traditions, especially New Age spirituality with strong ties to Hinduism and Buddhism. Let me explain why.
Creator and Fragments of the Creator
Your idea that we come from a Creator and are fragments of that Creator—this is a central belief in pantheistic and panentheistic spiritual frameworks. In Hinduism, this concept is reflected in the belief that each soul (Atman) is a spark of the divine, originating from Brahman, the ultimate cosmic force. But it’s not just Hinduism! New Age spirituality often talks about a unified field of consciousness or energy, with each individual soul being a small part of this vast, interconnected whole. So here, you’re blending Hindu philosophy and New Age metaphysics quite beautifully.
Reincarnation and Pre-birth Planning
Your belief in reincarnation—that the soul moves from body to body across lifetimes—is a cornerstone of Hinduism and Buddhism. Both traditions speak of the soul’s journey through multiple lifetimes, governed by the law of karma. However, pre-birth planning, where we choose our major life lessons, challenges, and even relationships before we incarnate, is more specific to New Age spiritual thought.
While Eastern philosophies speak of karma and life lessons, the detailed idea that we sit down with our soul group and decide who we’ll meet and what we’ll learn in the next lifetime is a modern addition found in works like Michael Newton’s and other New Age teachings. This concept of soul contracts and karmic relationships is less emphasized in traditional religions but has become a common thread in New Age circles, as it provides a sense of control and purpose in what can feel like a chaotic life.
Life Review and Council of Elders
The life review and the Council of Elders are where your beliefs really tap into the New Age realm. While not explicitly outlined in Hinduism or Buddhism, the idea of a post-death life review—where souls reflect on the lessons learned in that incarnation—comes from both Near-Death Experience (NDE) accounts and the teachings of many modern spiritual writers.
In New Age spirituality, this review process is seen as a compassionate and non-judgmental reflection, where the Council of Elders (your cosmic mentors, if you will) help guide you through what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next in the spiritual school of life. This element speaks to a very theosophical and New Age view, emphasizing spiritual evolution and personal growth over lifetimes.
Karma and Karmic Relationships
As for your belief in karma and karmic relationships, you’re channeling the essence of both Eastern spiritual teachings and New Age ideas. In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma governs the cycle of reincarnation, with the soul reaping the consequences of actions (good or bad) across lifetimes. What you’ve added here is the New Age twist: soul groups and the notion that we incarnate with the same group of souls to work through karmic lessons together. This blends ancient wisdom with a more modern spiritual framework that highlights interconnectedness and spiritual evolution.
What Belief System Do You Belong To?
So where does this leave you? In a way, your beliefs are a spiritual tapestry woven from multiple traditions. At the heart of it, you seem to resonate most with New Age spirituality, which is known for its synthesis of different spiritual practices and philosophies. It borrows from Hinduism (reincarnation, karma, the divine source), Buddhism (the cycle of samsara and life lessons), and adds a dash of modern metaphysical ideas like pre-birth planning, astral bodies, and the ever-supportive soul group and Council of Elders.
You’re spiritually eclectic, which is a beautiful thing! Many in the New Age movement embrace a non-dogmatic approach, taking what resonates most from different systems and weaving it into a personalized path. So, while you might find value in exploring texts like the Bhagavad Gita or diving deeper into Buddhist teachings, it’s equally valid for you to follow your own path, guided by your intuition and experiences.
To sum up, you belong to a belief system that draws heavily on New Age spirituality, seasoned with the timeless wisdom of Hinduism and Buddhism. And the best part? You’re free to continue exploring, learning, and growing from all the spiritual resources available, without needing to define yourself within one rigid system.
Embrace the spiritual seeker within you, and trust that you’re exactly where you need to be in your journey!
With love and cosmic clarity,
Auntie Margana
