Some people believe that those who hurt others will be reincarnated as lower life forms, such as insects, in their next lives. In some cultures, this belief is so deeply held that people tread carefully to avoid stepping on or squashing what they believe might be a loved one, returned as a bug.
While the thought may sound terrifying to some, I find it ironic that we look down on insects as lower life forms when, in many ways, they are far superior to us. They demonstrate remarkable resilience, extraordinary strength, and an ability to work together that humans could learn much from.
According to this belief, the scale varies depending on how a person has lived. At the lowest end of the scale, those who have committed grave atrocities might expect to be reincarnated as one of the lowest forms of life, perhaps even a cockroach. Others, who have lived with kindness and love, might return as butterflies. I don’t know who sets this scale, or who decides what form a person should be reincarnated into. The whole concept may be intended to serve as a deterrent. Who knows?
I myself am a great admirer of spiders, bees, and other insects. I have always regarded them with deep respect and fascination. To me, they are sophisticated creatures from which we can learn valuable lessons about adaptation, cooperation, and perseverance.
One day, when humanity has evolved sufficiently, we will come to appreciate all forms of life and outgrow the mindset that any living being is beneath us. When that day comes, our fear of being reincarnated as a “lower life form” will become redundant, relegated to the shelf alongside the many archaic superstitions we once held.
