OT: reincarnation (was Re: OT: Re: What? the clean-shaven outnumber the bearded?"YerUgly Mug," etc.

Christophe wrote:

> En réponse à Roger Mills :
> >That could depend on what you are reincarnated as :-)))
>
> Well, I'm going with the assumption that I'm leading my life in a not too
> bad way that will allow me to reincarnate as a lifeform at least as
> "evolved" as this ones ;))) .
>
James Merrill's long poem/"novel" "The Changing Light at Sandover" has an
interesting take on reincarnation.  Definitely not the Hindu model, as I
understand it.  Only those who had, or were capable of, some talent get
another chance.  Thus one character, who was a very witty, sophisticated
(and probably wealthy) Easterner, but just a dilletante composer, is
reincarnated into a baby in rural Minnesota, born with a deformed leg, whom
the gods have decided _will_ grow up to be a great composer.

JM's father, who in this life was enormously successful (can you say Merrill
Lynch?) but something of a lout, OTOH is reincarnated as the child of a
totally normal couple in suburban London. (I forget what his destiny was to
be, if any.)

Some were so perfect in their lives that they are withdrawn from the cycle--
Mozart, Jesus.  Or so dreadful -- Hitler.