Usually when I read a book on religion or a higher power I inevitably come to a parting of the ways at some point.

As you know the idea of lower form souls is part of several Eastern religions as part of our movement toward nirvana or whatever. That idea never appealed to me. If reincarnation is a fact, I don't see us doing anything more than maintaining a stream of consciousness with an opportunity to make the best out of the hand we are dealt.

I enjoy the process of living and learning so I hope that in the end I will have a chance to see how humanity progresses. I suppose there is no greater contentment than oblivion but it does not suit my curious nature. There is absolutely no logical reason to think that there is anything after death but the curiosity of our existence and self awareness in the first place makes anything possible in the cosmos.