Q: Regarding multiple lives – I once heard that the idea is that we all live 1000 lives (not sure of the exact number, but a lot of lives at any rate), and we learn various lessons during each life/stage, then if we learn it, we move “up” to the next life. So people who have their shit together (so to speak) have lived more lives. Does that theory hold true in your opinion?
A: Yes. 100%.
When I meet someone who is a mess, who doesn’t hold themselves accountable, who complains endlessly, who is weak and points fingers, I think to myself, “That’s a first lifer.” It’s someone who is brand new to the Universe. They can’t do better because they don’t know how to do better. Spiritually, they’re an infant.
I’m not sure about the number of lives, but here’s what I was told. Basically, The Other Side is like summer camp. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s peaceful. Nothing bad happens. And as we all know, pain and suffering cause growth. So the only way to become better is to come here, where you know you will suffer. The entire time. In a way it’s like agreeing to jump out of a tree, knowing for sure something will be broken in your fall.
The older you are, the more fucked up your life is. The more you suffer. The more the Universe pushes you to a breaking point. That’s how you become stronger. That’s how you evolve. We’re not here to be happy- we’re here to be better.
One of the “people” I still am in contact with has only come down here a few times and he says it’s because he’s lazy and weak. Because living is hard, and it means being torn up for a long time. It’s ugly. But it makes you better. I think it’s Pema Chodron who says that we don’t ask a bud if it hurts to break open into blossom. I’m sure it does. All transformation is agony.
The more you resist change, the more you stunt your own growth.
The Constant Pursuit of Ghosts 