In the ultimate sense, reincarnation is impossible. There is no past nor
future, and the idea of birth into a body has no meaning either once or
many times. Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our
only question should be, “Is the concept helpful?” And that depends, of
course, on what it is used for. If it is used to strengthen the
recognition of the eternal nature of life it is helpful indeed. Is any
other question about it really useful in lighting up the way? Like many
other beliefs, it can be bitterly misused. At least, such misuse offers
preoccupation and perhaps pride in the past. At worst, it induces
inertia in the present. In between many kinds of folly are possible.

Reincarnation would not, under any circumstances, be the problem to be
dealt with now. If it were responsible for some of the difficulties the
individual faces now, his task would still be only to escape from them
now. If he is laying the groundwork for a future life, he can still work
out his salvation only now. To some there may be comfort in the concept,
and if it heartens them its value is self-evident. It is certain,
however, that the way to salvation can be found by those who believe in
reincarnation and by those who do not. The idea cannot, therefore, be
regarded as essential to the curriculum. There is always some risk in
seeing the present in terms of the past. There is always some good in
any thought which strengthens the idea that life and the body are not
the same.

For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand on
reincarnation. A teacher of God should be as helpful to those who
believe in it as to those who do not. If a definite stand on it were
required of him, it would merely limit his usefulness as well as his own
decision-making. Our course is not concerned with any concept that is
not acceptable to anyone, regardless of his formal beliefs. His ego will
be enough for him to cope with, and it is not part of wisdom to add
sectarian controversies to his burdens. Nor would there be an advantage
in his premature acceptance of the course merely because it advocates a
long-held belief of his own.

It cannot be too strongly emphasized that this course aims at a complete
reversal of thought. When this is finally accomplished issues
such as the validity of reincarnation become meaningless. Until then
they are likely to be merely controversial. The teacher of God is
therefore wise to step away from all such questions, for he has much to
teach and learn apart from them. He should both learn and teach that
theoretical issues but waste time, draining it away from its appointed
purpose. If there are aspects to any concept or belief that will be
helpful, he will be told about it. He will also be told how to use it.
What more need he know?

Does this mean that the teacher of God should not believe in
reincarnation himself, or discuss it with others who do? The answer is
certainly not! If he does believe in reincarnation, it would be a
mistake for him to renounce the belief unless his Internal Teacher so
advised. And this is most unlikely. He might be advised that he is
misusing the belief in some way which is detrimental to his pupil’s
advance or his own. Reinterpretation would then be recommended because
it would be necessary. All that must be recognized, however, is that
birth was not the beginning and death is not the end. Yet even this much
is not required of the beginner. He need merely accept the idea that
what he knows is not necessarily all there is to learn. His journey has
begun.

The emphasis of this course always remains the same; – it is at this
moment that complete salvation is offered you, and it is at this moment
that you can accept it. This is still your one responsibility. Atonement
might be equated with total escape from the past and total lack of
interest in the future. Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is
now. There is no other time. No teaching that does not lead to this is
of concern to God’s teachers. All beliefs will point to this if properly
interpreted. In this sense it can be said that their truth lies in their
usefulness. All beliefs that lead to progress should be honored. This is
the sole criterion this course requires. No more than this is necessary.