The reincarnational self is a coexisting personality manifested by the multidimensional whole self (or entity) within the simultaneous "spacious present" to experience physical reality.
1965-1966 · The Early Sessions: Book 5 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 5, Seth offers an in-depth exposition of the concept of the "reincarnational self," linking it with "gestalts of selves," the "entity," and the responsibility and independence of multidimensional personalities. The following are the core discussions of this concept in the book:
First, the serialized development of reincarnational selves ultimately moves toward synthesis. Seth points out that the ego undergoes various temporal progressions in serialized fashion across different historical periods, and after reaching a certain point this is no longer necessary. These selves and times ultimately reach a specific point that actually exists mathematically, and at that point they merge into one, becoming an "entity" . For example, Joseph (Rob), Ruburt (Jane), and Seth himself are all parts of the same entity at a certain node, and this synthesis represents a wholly new integration that transcends serialized development .
Second, in the merging and gestalt of reincarnational selves, individuality is never lost. Seth emphasizes that the gestalt of selves does not mean abandoning individual identity, and that the "individual identity" he speaks of is primarily not the merely egotistical identity . In this multidimensional relationship, Seth points out that in only one extremely simplified way, he can be regarded as a "future self" of Ruburt .
Third, reincarnation is not a single linear accumulation, but is accompanied by "waves of reincarnational patterns" and energy fluctuations. The human organism does not appear out of nowhere at birth and begin accumulating experience for the first time; there have been multiple Stone Ages on Earth, in which new identities began their first experiences of physical existence and changed the Earth in their own unique ways . All of this essentially happens "in the blink of an eye," but it has purpose, meaning, and is based on achievement and responsibility .
Finally, there is a delicate balance between independence and mutual responsibility among reincarnational selves. Each part of the self, while maintaining a considerable degree of independence, is responsible for every other part of the self; each complete self (or individual), while remaining independent in activity and decision-making, is also responsible for all other selves . Just as the many layers of the self make up the whole self, many selves likewise form a "gestalt" about which humanity currently knows very little .
1966 · The Early Sessions: Book 6 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 6, Seth profoundly redefines the concept of the "reincarnational self," pointing out that the linear reincarnation commonly understood as "one life after another" is only a "highly simplified" expedient adopted to accommodate human concepts of time. The core discussions are as follows:
I. The multidimensional gestalt and simultaneity of the reincarnational self
Seth emphasizes that the self must be studied as a "multidimensional gestalt," otherwise it cannot be truly understood . Reincarnation does not mean existing one life after another in continuous time, nor does it mean a cyclical time system or an extension of time . On the contrary, because in reality there is only one "spacious present," the experience of the self is rooted simultaneously in the past and the future . Therefore, these seemingly different reincarnational existences actually "occur simultaneously," and only the ego makes temporal distinctions, while these different existences are imperceptible to the ego .
II. Inner identity and the analogy of multiple dominant egos
To explain the structure of the reincarnational self, Seth introduces the analogy of The Three Faces of Eve. He points out that the reincarnational self is like the various "dominant egos" contained within the same "inner identity," which take dominance in different existences . In The Three Faces of Eve, four selves exist within the same physical life cycle; if one imagines these four selves taking over in completely independent existences in the past, present, and future, one comes closer to the true nature of reincarnation . For an observer whose concept of time is slower and more finely divided than ours, these four personalities would indeed appear as four independent existences within their time system; by the same logic, the multiple manifestations of one identity, within our framework of sequential time, would appear as a series of existences stretched out in sequence .
III. Revision and simplified clarification of past reincarnational teachings
Seth states clearly that the material on reincarnation he provided in the past, for example that past-life characteristics influence or cause present behavior patterns, although completely valid on a practical level, was only a "rough simplification" and a "highly simplified version" offered to make the matter clear . In reality, it is the "whole self or identity" that knows the experiences of all these selves, and because these selves are all shaped by the same identity, certain similarities and characteristics necessarily exist among them . We are forced to think of reincarnation as successive, arranged one after another, only because we cling to the erroneous theory of past, present, and future time, and Seth uses words such as "past lives" only to conform to humanity's habitual chronological concepts .
1966-1967 · The Early Sessions: Book 7 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 7, Seth offers an in-depth exposition of the concept of the "reincarnational self," revealing its complex relationships with the whole self, the nature of time, and the individual's present state. First, the reincarnational self retains and continues specific tendencies of the personality. Seth draws an analogy between reincarnation and projection of consciousness (out-of-body experience): in projection, you forget the self on the bed and find yourself in a completely new environment, yet you are still governed by your own personality tendencies; reincarnation is the same, and you bring with you many past tendencies [chunk 7459]. The individual's physical state, including illness, is a reflection of inner expectations and distortions, and these distortions may be left over from past lives [chunk 7459]. Moreover, the individual's tendencies and aptitudes before adulthood are also highly influenced by past lives. This "prehistory" exists in the form of the electromagnetic attributes of the whole self, constituting the blueprint that the chromosomal structure follows [chunk 7612]. Second, the reincarnational self is closely connected with the "whole self" or "supraself." Each whole self has a characteristic overall personality pattern, and each reincarnational self is a manifestation of this pattern. Through these existences, the whole self pursues unique and holistic goals and abilities [chunk 7612]. Seth vividly compares the various reincarnational selves to the parts of a crossword puzzle: although they can be scattered, their meaning diminishes if separated from the whole [chunk 7613]. Within the whole self, there is communication among the parts, and future and past selves intermingle with one another [chunk 7613]. The supraself knows your reincarnations, but to it these reincarnations are neither present nor future, but simultaneous [chunk 7480]. Third, the "sequence" of reincarnational selves is only a temporal illusion. Seth emphasizes that words such as "past life" or "previous" are used only for the convenience of human understanding; in reality there is no past and present, and one life is not before or after another [chunk 7460, chunk 7613]. To the inner senses, all these existences occur simultaneously [chunk 7613]. In physical life, because humans cannot remember the future, they can usually recall only "past" lives; but in the dream state, the so-called "future" lives are already very familiar [chunk 7613]. Just as in projection one may suddenly remember the self lying on the bed, in the experience of one lifetime you may also suddenly remember your "previous" self [chunk 7459, chunk 7460]. Finally, Seth points out that understanding the reincarnational self is of great significance to the present. A thorough understanding of reincarnational existence is of great benefit to the present conscious ego [chunk 7613]. At the same time, Seth criticizes modern psychology's neglect of past-life memories, pointing out that only by accepting the fact of reincarnation and taking such inner motivations into account can a truly complete psychology be established [chunk 7612, chunk 7613].
Mike's commentary (Chinese)Mike's commentary
The Nature of Personal Reality · Chapter 152 related passages in this chapter
In the Seth material, the "reincarnational self" is not the soul as understood by traditional religions or secular views, rotating "life after life" on a single linear time axis. Seth points out that the reincarnational self is an aspect of the living, multidimensional reality of the psyche, different forms generated by the inner self in order to allow consciousness to materialize, express itself, and develop its full capacities in as many dimensions as possible .
Its core essence lies in simultaneity and multidimensional gestalt. Since in reality there is only one "spacious present," all reincarnational lives occur simultaneously . From the most fundamental level, Seth offers a revolutionary definition: "The reincarnational self is nothing more than a probable self, choosing to experience various forms." While maintaining a high degree of independence, they are closely connected and mutually responsible within a "gestalt of selves" that transcends linear time .
II. Key Elaborations
1. Simultaneous Existence and Multidimensional Real-Time Mutual Influence
Humans are accustomed to a single-line historical model, understanding reincarnation as a successive sequence. However, Seth explains that the reincarnational self and the present self coexist . What actually happens is that the energy of an individual's existence intrudes into the three-dimensional system at several "moment points," experiencing what seems to be an isolated life at each point .
Because these lives coexist simultaneously in the "present," there is a real-time, two-way mutual influence between them. Your beliefs and actions in the present change "their" experience, just as each of them in the present also changes your experience . Any particular thought experienced by you (the present ego) is experienced in various forms by all your reincarnational selves; this mental act has an electromagnetic reality that directly affects and shapes the constantly changing inner self .
2. Physiological and Unconscious Imprinting (The Genetic and Reincarnational Bank of Characteristics)
A person is not born as a blank slate; an individual's physical state, talents, and inclinations are highly influenced by past lives . These reincarnational memories and "prehistory" exist in the form of electromagnetic properties of the whole self, constituting the blueprint followed by the chromosome structure .
Seth introduces the concept of the "reincarnational bank of characteristics," pointing out that the outstanding skills or abilities displayed by an individual are manifested precisely because this inner psychological structure is responsible for triggering specific combinations of genetic information . This information not only slumbers within the psyche but is also deeply imprinted in a faithful "decoded" manner within the unconscious memory, genetic factors, chromosomes, and the blood and cells of the vessels .
3. Everyday Manifestations in Daily Life, Dreams, and Art
Reincarnational information does not need to intrude in grand, dramatic ways, but is automatically and intimately integrated into the individual's daily framework of understanding . Seth suggests that every day, in a non-symbolic sense, is an "incarnation," and every self daily reflects its "reincarnational" or "simultaneous" selves .
In solitude, sleep, or specific psychological states, people unintentionally tune their frequencies to other streams of consciousness, perceiving the thoughts of their reincarnational selves . Dreams are an important link connecting different reincarnational selves; the dream self possesses psychological dimensions that connect the genetic system with the reincarnational system . Different reincarnational selves may even dream the same dream from their respective perspectives, sharing creative ideas or inventions, which constitutes an important invisible channel for cultural dissemination and technological development in human history . Furthermore, many artists' creations (such as historical writing or portraiture) are actually based on direct experiences from past lives .
4. Transcendence and Multidimensional Integration at the End of Reincarnation
At the end of the reincarnational cycle, during the period of self-examination, the individual obtains their entire "history" and clearly perceives all of their reincarnational selves . At this point, the individual thoroughly understands that the core of their existence (the basic identity) is far vaster than the sum of all reincarnational personalities, which are merely segments of the self or roles played .
Once reincarnation is completed, the individual will possess all the knowledge, experience, and abilities of all past lives . At this point, the individual can choose to become a "multidimensional teacher," communicating simultaneously with reincarnational fragments in different historical periods ; or become a "healer," setting out to help those "reincarnational selves" who encounter various difficulties in time and space .
III. Evolutionary Context
Seth's elaboration of the concept of the "reincarnational self" underwent a process of deepening and revision, from an "expedient theory conforming to the human view of time" to "thorough multidimensional simultaneity and probable realities":
Early Foundations (Volume 5): Seth initially conformed to a serialized description, speaking of the serialized development of the self in different historical periods, and pointing out that these selves would eventually merge at a specific point to form an "entity" .
Key Revisions (Volume 6): Seth explicitly pointed out that the reincarnational data of "life after life" he provided in the past was only a "highly simplified version" to accommodate the chronological concepts humans are accustomed to . He introduced the analogy of The Three Faces of Eve, explaining the reincarnational self as "multiple dominant selves" occupying dominant positions in different existences within the same "inner identity" .
Essential Leap (Volume 8): Seth gave the most core definition, directly equating the reincarnational self with the "probable self" , and emphasizing that the energy of beliefs determines whether reincarnational reality can materialize in the physical world .
Multidimensional Expansion (Seth Speaks and Beyond): This concept was fully integrated into a broader cosmological picture of simultaneity, genetic inheritance, interwoven dreams, and macroscopic "reincarnational civilizations" .
IV. Relationship with Related Concepts
Relationship with "Entity / Whole Self": The sum of reincarnational selves constitutes the individual's "personality" on the physical plane, but this is only a very small part of the whole self or entity . The whole self is like a puzzle; although individual reincarnational selves can be scattered, their meaning is diminished when separated from the whole .
Relationship with "Probable Selves": The two are identical in essence. The reincarnational self is simply the probable self choosing to experience in different dimensions of time and space and physical forms .
Relationship with "Ego": Only the egotistical ego makes distinctions in time and remains imperceptible to other reincarnational selves ; whereas the "inner identity" knows the experiences of all these selves .
V. Representative Original Quotations
"The reincarnational self is nothing more than a probable self, choosing to experience various forms."
"Each portion of the self, while maintaining a great degree of independence, is responsible to each other portion of the self; and each whole self (or individual), while maintaining independence of action and decision, is responsible to all other selves."
"Your beliefs and actions in your present change 'their' experience, as each of them in their present changes yours. If you think of these 'reincarnational selves' as one whole 'being,' then this multidimensional interaction makes perfect sense."