The idea of reincarnation really flies in the face of current social and Christian/Judean dogma. It also causes problems for our currently accepted notions of cosmology; i.e. how the universe works.

I have absolutely come to accept the reality of reincarnation. However, as an analytical thinker who took religious teachings with a grain of salt (and a lot of faith), I had to re-awaken to a new way of thinking which withstood my own attempts at intellectual scrutiny.

I think the first step was to recognize that CONSCIOUSNESS IS NOT A PRODUCT OF BRAIN FUNCTION. This is profound. If our brain isn't creating it, where does it come from? When did it begin? Does it continue after we die? etc. etc. I was compelled to accept this notion after reading the book by Dr. Eben Alexander entitled "Proof of Heaven", wherein he describes a near-death-experience (NDE) as a result of contracting bacterial meningitis. While there are thousands of documented NDE's, the circumstances of this particular experience are noteworthy. Dr. Alexander is a conservative, conventionally trained, not particularly religious neurosurgeon/neuroscientist on the staff at Harvard, whose neurological system flatlined during the course of the disease. In other words, there was NO brain activity, and he was comatose for a week. Yet during this time, he had a very vivid and detailed NDE. Miraculously he recovered and was able to review his own charts, and could determine that his NDE occurred at a time when his brain was incapable of consciousness at any level.

OK, so when does consciousness begin and end, you ask, if it isn't caused by the brain?
Enter Dr. Brian Weiss, a conservative, traditional, prominent and well published Psychiatrist who disavowed any notion about reincarnation until it confronted him thru one of his patients. I highly recommend his book "Many Lives, Many Masters" as the next step in your investigation.

"OK", you say, .."So I can see how reincarnation may make some sense, but what happens between lives? I just don't see myself floating around on a puffy little cloud playing a harp". You are quite right.

Enter Dr. Michael Newman, Ph.D. Dr. Newman is another classically trained, conservative scientist who was dragged kicking and screaming into the arena of the afterlife. His findings are even more significant, IMHO, because he is able to document a planned, orderly universe, and tie it all together in a way that makes sense. You need to read his book last....entitled "Journey of Souls".

Having read these three books, I'm sure you will have a new perception of reincarnation.