Fascinating Reincarnation Facts is a series I’m doing to answer the most common questions I receive about past lives.
The topic for this post is how long does it take to reincarnate?
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Introduction to My Series of Reincarnation Facts
The term “reincarnation facts” best suits my purposes, though it’s obviously difficult to state anything as fact when it comes to the metaphysical. I try to always keep an open, flexible mind, and I know I still have much to learn. That said, I feel confident using the term “reincarnation facts” because I put so much effort into thoroughly researching each topic and stating my sources.
For me, I get most excited when I find multiple sources that are saying the same things over and over. This is especially true when these sources are completely unrelated to each other! An example would be how I know that Jerry and Esther Hicks read the Seth books by Jane Roberts, but to my knowledge, Dolores Cannon never did. The fact that Dolores and her subjects say the same specific types of things as Jane and Seth is mind-blowing and encouraging to me.
(Though, of course, I also still adore Esther/Abraham Hicks, too! They’re the ones who inspired me to read the Seth books in the first place.)
There’s my little disclaimer on why I’m comfortable using the term “reincarnation facts.” Now, on to the good stuff. I hope this helps with answering any questions you have along the lines of how long does it take to reincarnate…
So… How Long Does It Take to Reincarnate?
First, I’ll give you a straightforward answer to the question. (It’s the least I can do after making you read my whole spiel on why I’m justified in calling this a series of reincarnation facts - ha). That way you can get the gist of how long it takes to reincarnate and move on with your life (and the next life, too). But, I’ll warn you, you might want to keep reading anyway, because the detailed answer is fascinating.
The following excerpt derives from The Seth Material, found in Chapter 12: “What determines the time between reincarnations?” the minister asked.
“You. If you are very tired, then you rest. If you are wise, you take time to digest your knowledge and plan your next life, even as a writer plans his next book. If you have too many ties with this reality or if you are too impatient, or if you have not learned sufficiently, then you may return too quickly. It is always up to the individual. There is no predestination. The answers are within yourself then, as the answers are within you now.”
Looking specifically for a number? This quote might be more useful: There is no time schedule, and yet it is very unusual for an individual to wait for anything over three centuries between lives, for this makes orientation very difficult, and the emotional ties with earth have become weak. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 11, Session 541)
An alleged murder, a walk-in soul, and astonishing evidence of reincarnation - you're gonna wanna read this...
A Scientist’s Research Supports Seth’s Statements
It seems there is no designated time for how long it takes to reincarnate. This explains why sometimes a person can remember the past life of a person who died a mere two days before they were born while another person remembers the life of someone who died a hundred years ago.
What I find interesting is that in his book Children Who Remember Previous Lives, Dr. Ian Stevenson talks about his theories on why only some people spontaneously remember their past lives. He noticed that in a group of 725 reincarnation cases he studied, 61% of the previous personalities died violently. (It should be noted that Dr. Stevenson ultimately studied over a thousand reincarnation cases, not just the 725 that are mentioned here!)
Over and over again he noticed a theme of the previous personality having “unfinished business.” (This is something we also commonly associate with ghosts, but that’s a topic for another day.) Examples of unfinished business include mothers who left behind very young children, kids who died young, victims of murder, and others who died abruptly.
Dr. Stevenson theorized that the trauma of dying unexpectedly and/or the nagging feeling of having unfinished business triggered the personality of the next life to remember his past life history more easily. In most of his cases, it seems as though the previous personality died only a short while before the next person was born. He believed this might also explain why those people more readily remembered their past lives — because they were so recent.
To me, this lines up with what Seth has said on the subject. In the excerpt I included earlier, he said some souls return too quickly. Next I’ll share some other quotes from Seth that shed more light on this particular reincarnation fact. In the section after that, I’ll share some excerpts from Dolores Cannon’s books.
Seth Quotes as Reincarnation Facts…
Some personalities do reincarnate before they are advised to, for many reasons. This is usually unfortunate in the short run, for the necessary planning has not taken place. But in the long run great lessons will still be learned from the “error.” (Seth Speaks, Chapter 11, Session 541)
… when the personality attaches itself at conception, there is almost always without exception strong past-life connections between parents and child, or there is an unceasing and almost obsessional desire to return to the earthly situation — either for a specific purpose, or because the reincarnating personality is presently obsessed with earthly existence…Some personalities are drawn to enter at conception as a result of… desire that is partially composed of unresolved problems. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 13, Session 557)
Now there are some who resist the new existence, even though they chose it, as long as possible… Some personalities simply prefer in-between-life existence and are much more concerned with the theoretical solving of problems than the practical application necessarily involved. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 13, Session 557)
Dolores Cannon Quotes as Reincarnation Facts
Is it mandatory that you return to Earth and inhabit a body again or do you have a choice? No, for there is no have to. If it is most appropriate, yes; then that might be the best thing to do. However, there is no rule that says one has to incarnate… It is up to the life force. (Between Death & Life, Chapter 4)
Do you make any decision as to when you come back? When I find someone who I feel will fit my need, then I have a choice. You get involved with other people. You build ties and emotions. You are open, you feel, you sense, and their lives affect you. (Between Death & Life, Chapter 4)
All souls have been around for the same degree. Some of us have chosen, for our own personal reasons, to incarnate into the body more often than others. That is where they get the term “old or young soul.” Some are young in terms of Earthly experience. (Between Death & Life, Chapter 4)
The Soul Who Had to Rest for 200 Years
In one of Dolores Cannon’s earliest books, Five Lives Remembered, she shares the hypnosis sessions of a singular woman, taking us on the journey of a soul who has reincarnated several times. I highly recommend this book. It’s helpful to see the process of one entity and the consecutive lives it leads, along with the in-between-life experiences.
The beginning of the book and the most recent lives they uncover are a bit mundane, if I’m being honest. It turns out that’s for good reason! This soul’s first life was so extreme and traumatic, she had to be sent to a “resting place” for about 200 years to recover. Her subsequent lives calmed down a bit, thankfully.
I’m not sure if this is exactly what Seth meant, but there are quotes from Seth Speaks that seem to describe a situation like this:
On occasion, some personalities may be given an exception to the general rule and take a sabbatical from reincarnations, a side trip so to speak, to another layer of reality, and then return. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 11, Session 541)
Rest periods may also be taken, and they are highly therapeutic. For example, an excellent, satisfying life with a minimum of problems may be chosen either as a prelude to a life of concentrated challenge or as a self-adopted reward for a previous difficult life. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 12, Session 551)
Oh, But Also, Time Isn’t Real…
Now that I’ve spent all of this time answering the question how long does it take to reincarnate? you can basically throw all of that information out the window. (But if you’re reading this on your phone or laptop, please don’t actually do that.)
According to both Seth and Dolores materials, the “past” lives are all happening simultaneously… because time isn’t real, it’s just a construct we made for our human experience. I know, I know. It hurts my brain trying to comprehend this.
You guessed it, though. I’ve got more direct quotes to support this reincarnation fact:
…you live many existences at one time. It is difficult for you to imagine being in two places at once, much less in two or more times, or centuries. (Seth Speaks, Chapter 4, Session 521)
These lives exist simultaneously across the board… (Seth Speaks, Appendix, Session 595)
The distance between one life and another exists psychologically, and not in terms of years or centuries
… reincarnation lives are indeed alternate presents. There is interaction between you and your reincarnation selves constantly. (Seth Speaks, Appendix, Session 595)
Reincarnation, as it is usually explained, in terms of one life before another, is a myth; but a myth enabling many to partially understand facts that they would otherwise dismiss. (Seth Speaks, Appendix, Session 595)
Books for Additional Reincarnation Facts
How long does it take to reincarnate? The answer is simple. There is no designated time. It could be 1 day or 300 years. But, since these lives are happening simultaneously, and time isn’t real, I guess technically, it takes no time to reincarnate… If you made it this far into the blog, congrats. You’re probably more confused than before you clicked on this post. I’m sorry and you’re welcome, ha.
If you'd like to read the books yourself instead of just relying on the excerpts I used, check out the following list. These are affiliate links, which just means that I get a tiny percentage if you happen to purchase any of the books while using my links. (It doesn't cost you anything extra.) Even if you don't purchase, you can still click the links to read more about the books. You may be able to find them in other book stores or at your local library.
The Seth Material by Jane Roberts
Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts
Between Death & Life by Dolores Cannon
Five Lives Remembered by Dolores Cannon
Children Who Remember Previous Lives by Ian Stevenson, M.D.
Children’s Past Lives: How Past Life Memories Affect Your Child by Carol Bowman
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