Let me share a perspective that I find thought-provoking. Every physical item created by humans is the outcome of an idea (a design). The idea includes its function and the expected environment in which it functions.
The gap between intention and destiny
Often we see that a product finds its use in ways that were not anticipated at the time of the original idea's conception. We could say that a product or idea may disclose its origin, but never shows its future use.
There are virtually infinite examples of this. To give you just a taste: the idea for the first webcam was to watch a coffee pot at Cambridge University, not to serve as a tool for communication. Or Coca-Cola, which was initially developed as a medicine. And even more profoundly: how about the idea of being able to control fire? This ability is by far the most foundational development backbone of our entire civilization. This pivotal idea allows us, many millennia later, to send rockets into space. The idea of controlling fire has helped to shape our reality in unimaginable ways. It shows us that we can develop as a species and that, by developing, we change our relationship with our environment. As a neutral viewpoint: at first we were an integral part of nature, and over the course of time and many developments we have become distant from it.
The totality of future effects or applications of an idea (or product) can hardly be foreseen. A friend of mine who used to work for Microsoft says that inventions like the internet and AI are absurdly overrated in the short term, but highly underestimated in the long run. The moment a product or idea has been released into the world, the creator no longer has control over its destiny.
What if the creator could still steer?
If that's true of products, what about lives? What do you think would happen if the creator of an idea were still able to influence its destiny? This may seem farfetched for ideas of products conceived in our physical world. But what I see in my OBEs and the OBE journeys I guide is that, from our Total Self (Higher Self), a certain amount of influence remains. It is paramount to our Total Selves that we maintain a certain course throughout our lives in order to fulfill the initial idea of the current incarnation.
I have witnessed many accounts where negative or bad experiences were planned by our Total Self to bring us back on track. Illness is one of the "tools" frequently used. If you look around, you can see it, and perhaps also in your own life. First come some subtle nudges. When these get ignored, more serious things are likely to occur. How often have I heard a person say that a burnout was the best thing that had ever happened to them. When we ask during a guided OBE journey about why a certain experience happened, the answer always hits home and resonates deeply with the person I'm guiding.
When lives drift off course
But regardless of the influence of our Total Self over the course of our lives, this does not mean that every life stays on course, or that every life achieves its mission. Far from it. Too many people get lost in the complexity of life on earth, with all its seductions, pleasures, suffering and distractions. Many lives lose their initial objectives. It's easy to miss the soft and strong signs, and gradually slip into amnesia. Once amnesia has settled, the Total Self can shift its focus to support another incarnation.
Some of those who have slipped into amnesia may wake up through a sudden shock event, like an NDE or a spontaneous OBE. But most of these soul fragments get lost. Eventually, they will be retrieved, because they are as much part of the complete soul journey as the ones that do achieve their mission. Even the lives that did not achieve their missions add value to the whole.
Do we need to know our mission?
Do we have to know what our mission is? The answer to this question is yes and no. Let's start with no first. Some people would sabotage their mission if the information came too early in their lives. Self-doubt, fear or egoic tendencies would ruin it. I know some parts of my mission, but I learned about them only later in life. It helped me to surrender to the flow that I perceive as "my life."
Although information about a life mission is not always necessary to be aware of, it can be of great use in moments of doubt or insecurity. It also helps to understand why life had its course, or why certain intense events happened. It's often even more enlightening when we learn why the mission is important.
Sometimes I guide a person, who only wants to know if their on track. Which is often just all we actually need.
Three reasons for incarnating
In this blog post (out-of-body.me/blog/why-am-i-here), I refer to three basic ideas of (re)incarnating into this planet. Based on my guided sessions, I distinguish "the learners/experiencers," the ones who come to learn or experience something. There are also "the contributors/volunteers," who come to bring something into this Earth. And there are "the completers," the ones who come one last time and then depart.
What I have observed over the recent period is that, in most guided sessions, a person learns that this is most likely his or her last life on earth. Although having a last life doesn't mean that the mission is necessarily profound. I see missions that seem profound, mundane, or something in between. A profound mission could be something like realizing what someone really is, or achieving enlightenment. And a mundane mission could be to experience a clean and organized life.
Enlightenment is not the only door
Often people think that reaching enlightenment is a precursor to ending the cycle of death and rebirth. This may be true in some cases, but based on my experiences, it is not a rule that applies to everyone. Based on my experience, the earthbound reincarnation cycles end when the Total Self is satisfied, fulfilled, bored or awakened. Or the opportunity to incarnate on earth just ceases to exist.
In my case, at least one past-life experience reached enlightenment. And yet, here I am. But I received the message in three different moments that this would be the last. One more physical death experience, and that's it. No new life on earth after that. Most people are relieved when they receive that message, but I was shocked. It came to me during a breathwork session in which my awareness expanded. Sadness and grief came first, then the message: you will die one more time and don't come back. It took me months to integrate, but afterwards I felt realigned with my mission. I guess I needed the shock.
Here, now
Whatever a future experience brings us, we are here now. We give our best shot to experience, create or manifest what is in alignment with our life mission and our personal preferences.
If you're curious about your life mission or reincarnation, or have other questions, feel free to contact me for a talk. It is always free of charge, and free from expectations.