Reincarnation, Part I

i want to pivot from our conversation about the African American spiritual practice of Conjure to the topic of reincarnation, which we will explore in the upcoming event:

as stated in the flier, reincarnation/rebirth is one of the central themes of my play The Conjure Woman Episode. The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions defines rebirth as "[t]he belief (also transmigration, *metempsychosis, reincarnation, etc.) common in Eastern religions, that there is a continuity from one life to a next, either of a self or soul . . .  or, in the case of Buddhism, of the process itself." although i get it on an intellectual level, i can't honestly say i totally believe in reincarnation. my soul isn't yet convinced of that truth, because i can't tell if, at times, i'm truly remembering past life experiences or receiving information from Spirit, or just making stuff up in my head. 

on the other hand, i'm fascinated with the whole phenomenon of cellular memory and the possibility that i have inherited grey matter genes, that is, grey matter composition, including memories, from my parents and ancestors. this would explain why i have felt at home the first time i've visited new places and other deja vu type experiences. from that perspective, reincarnation makes perfect sense to me; bits and pieces of my ancestors abide in me. they live on through me.

i've invited Rev. Douglas Kinney to participate in the panel discussion for the aforementioned event, because he's written extensively on this topic and performs past life regressions, which is another central theme of the play. my Conscious Life Design partner, Rev. Bernette Jones, will also participate on the panel to bring a metaphysical perspective to the discussion. AND, if at all possible, i want to bring my fellow Trail of Dreams Peace Walker, Audri Scott Williams, up to B-more for this event, because she has a wealth of information to bring to this conversation.

please join us on October 2nd for what promises to be an enlightening and entertaining experience. i look forward to sharing the stage again with the fabulous Walks on Water (aka Nataska Humminbird) and Olufunmilayo Jomo. big fun!