Culture, Rebirth, and Darwinian Advantage

Dr. Todd Murphy, a neuroscientist who studies near death experiences (NDEs), has come up with an interesting theory regarding reincarnation. He thinks it developed for the same reason that any other trait establishes itself in a population - namely, because it gives a reproductive advantage to those involved.

Furthermore, Murphy noted that many of the features found in NDEs vary from culture to culture. He suggests that people who make progress from one lifetime to another are those who have learned to accumulate merit in accordance with the values of their own clan, tribe, or nation. In short, they have learned to play by the rules laid down by their society. These rules will differ from group to group, hence the variations between cultures.

When they are reborn, these people will tend to rise to higher rank - because they have learned the social skills valued by their group. These skills make it more likely that they will rise to a high status. People with higher status have historically had more offspring, so the society benefits by having more people of character and competence. At the same time, this whole procedure reinforces the values of the culture.

This cultural approach is consistent with our own belief that rebirth normally occurs within the family or clan - a belief also held by other groups, to include the Tlingit Indians.

Murphy, as a scientist, does not go so far as to say that reincarnation is an actual fact. All he will definitely state is that “information which enables individuals to adapt is conserved at death, and passed on to other individuals still undergoing prenatal development elsewhere. To say that anything more than information is reborn would involve making assumptions for which there is no evidence.”

The transmission of this “information which enables people to adapt” sounds a lot like Edred Thorsson’s assertion that only certain soul components - the hamingja-fylgja complex - are transferred from one person to another. Edred sees the “I” or ek going to the abodes of the Gods or to Hel, where it awaits eventual rebirth.

My own thought is that more spiritually advanced individuals have more options after death. Those who did not evolve, who were satisfied with the unchallenged life and who made no effort to develop will and consciousness, will find an afterlife that is little more than a vegetative state. Those who forced themselves to grow, I believe, have the option of an actual rebirth of the ek, or continued existence in the halls of the Gods, or some combination of these as determined by their will. More power equals more freedom, in the afterlife just as here in Midgard.

What can we take away from all this speculation? Evolving might and consciousness is good. The powers thus gained will, sooner or later, be reinvested in the group for its benefit.

Dr. Murphy’s relevant article can be found at http://www.shaktitechnology.com/rebirth.htm

Asatru - The Way of Our Ancestors

Asatru is an expression of the native, pre-Christian spirituality of Europe. More specifically, it is the Way by which the Germanic peoples have traditionally related to the Divine and to the world around them.

From Iceland to Russia, from the frozen north of Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the Germanic peoples wandered and settled over a span of thousands of years. Today, their descendants are spread around the world. We may refer to ourselves as Americans or English, Germans or Canadians, but behind these labels lurks an older, more essential identity. Our forefathers were Angles and Saxons, Lombards and Heruli, Goths and Vikings - and, as sons and daughters of these peoples, we are united by ties of blood and culture undimmed by the centuries.

Asatru is our native Way. Just as there is Native American religion and native African religion, so there is native European religion. Asatru is one of its expressions. It gave our ancestors comfort in millennia past, and it can give us strength and inspiration today.

The word "Asatru" comes to us from Old Norse, the tongue of ancient Scandinavia, where it means "those loyal to the Gods." Since the ancient Scandinavian version of our Way is the best documented, it has given us much of Asatru's terminology and imagery. The soul of Asatru, however, is not confined to the Scandinavian model, but encapsulates the belief of all the Germanic peoples. Indeed, Asatru reflects the deeper religiosity common to virtually all the nations of Europe.

As a part of the great European Folkway, Asatru has a number of characteristic beliefs. Some of these are:

The world is good. Prosperity is good. Life is good, and we should live it with joy and enthusiasm.

We are free to shape our lives to the extent allowed by our skill, courage, and might. There is no predestination, no fatalism, no limitations imposed by the will of any external deity.

We do not need salvation. All we need is the freedom to face our destiny with courage and honor.

We are connected to all our ancestors. They are a part of us. We in turn will be a part of our descendants.

We are also linked to all our living kin - to our families and to every man and woman rooted in the tribes of Europe. They are our "greater family."

We are connected to Nature and subject to its laws. The Holy Powers often express themselves in Nature's beauty and might.

We believe that morality does not depend on commandments, but rather arises from the dignity and honor of the noble-minded man and woman.

We do not fear the Holy Powers, or consider ourselves their slaves. On the contrary, we share community and fellowship with the Divine. The Holy Powers encourage us to grow and advance to higher levels.

We honor the Holy Powers under the names given them by our Germanic/Norse ancestors.

We practice Asatru by honoring the turning of the seasons…the ancestors…the Divine…and ourselves - in everyday life.

Asatru is about roots.

It's about connections.

It's about coming home.