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Q. Hi Jane, If you believe personalities are formed by the individual's perception of the environment they were born into, raised up in and live their lives through,
how does past life experience play into that?And what of the individual's ability to alter their personality? can they really? or just pretend to?
Matt Gosser 1/20/00
A. I believe personalities are formed by a combination of genetic factors and the individual's perception of their enviornment/experience. As for reincarnation, although it is a lovely, romantic, poetic idea I do indulge in fantasizing about and derive pleasure from, I don't give it any real credence. Reincarnation is a comforting thought for many people and offers another tool to make up reasons for things. Really there are no reasons, but people are pattern seeking creatures needing meaning- so we make it up and love the theories that can lend support to our human duty of attempting to understand the beautiful chaos of the universe. A human goes through so many different phases in their lives, I believe that any idea of reincarnation can be related to as a metaphor to one's present one life. Once you were so small you could fit in a common dresser drawer- you have had a number of different bodies in this very life, and you have had revelations and relationships that led you to change. You are so many people in one life already- the extended life after death scenario reincarnation offers is unlikely and unnecessary to me. My matter and energy will transform and become something else- so it may be "me" to a certain extent, but I'm happy imagining all the parts of myself transforming into other things and letting "me" go. Just as you can never walk over the same river twice- you can't walk in the same self twice. Even in this one life that's impossible. As to a person's ability to alter themselves, I believe they can. Will is a strong force and when people have it they can do amazing things, or at least convince themselves that they are. As for pretending, I think you can pretend your way into reality sometimes. I often pretend I'm in a good mood when I'm crabby, and then I actually do become happy eventually. I am currently pretending to be a more patient person in my life and slowly it seems to be working. Everyone has different abilities though- different wills. A person's control over the ability to cause change in one's own life is inspiring. We have limitations but our ability to turn them into strengths or sometimes erase or add them to our lives is truly one of the most magical gifts we have as homo sapiens.
I want to know about your religious beliefs.
- Boris, 12/25/07
{Jane's Response}
O New York -- you beast! -- why do I pine for thee?
- Ryn Gargulinski, 10/21/06
{Jane's Response}
Have you any advice for *adults* who aspire to be creative?
- Apocalypse Watcher, 11/30/01
{Jane's Response}
"Joshu's unsheathed sword,
Glittering, severe frost is illuminating.
Asking what it is,
The body is cut in half.
Which line is most important?
Nine bows." -Ansho
- Daniel Paley Ellison, 11/16/01
{Jane's Response}
Pretty much every woman I know has been sexually assaulted... How will things get better?
- Ayen Tran, 11/7/01
{Jane's Response}
Is death painful?
- Muriel, 9/26/01
{Jane's Response}
why is earth a woman? (Mother Earth...)
- Muriel, 9/24/01
{Jane's Response}
What about respect?
- Didier Hampl, 8/26/01
{Jane's Response}
What do you think about President Bush rejecting the Kyoto treaty?
- David Hefner, 7/21/01
{Jane's Response}
Hello Jane.I would like to discuss with you a couple of comments you made...
- David Hefner 4/13/01
{Jane's Response}
Jane, is this a character speaking, or are you utterly honest?
- anonymous 3/15/01
{Jane's Response}
Are there aspects of life that we cannot perceive?
- John Foster 1/15/01
{Jane's Response}
Why doesn't Hello Kitty have a mouth?
- Tya, Belly Up zine Columbus, OH 9/13/00
{Jane's Response}
If your life was a movie...who would the actress be that played you?
- Kathy Mueller FBI Distro, Moorestown, NJ 9/13/00
{Jane's Response}
Why do hotdogs come in packages of 10, but hotdog buns come in packages of 8?
- Jon Hansen 1/23/00
{Jane's Response}
If personalities are formed by the individual's perception of their environment, what about past lives?
- Matt Gosser 1/20/00
{Jane's Response}
Do you think numbers are real?
- Nicole Hefner 1/19/00
{Jane's Response}
Jane, why are people so mean?
- Laurie Weeks 1/19/00
{Jane's Response}
Is it ethical to have sex with a dog?
- Ella Frederick 1/19/00
{Jane's Response}
What color is the ocean at night?
- Dorian LeCroy 12/23/99
{Jane's Response}
If you could be any article of clothing, what would you want to be and why?
- Jamie Rella 12/20/99
{Jane's Response}
What is the first thing you do after you have sex?
- Erin Cocozzo 12/1/99
{Jane's Response}
Why do you love me so much!?
- Marisa Magik 11/20/99
{Jane's Response}
Why is there something rather than nothing?
- Dean R. 10/18/99
{Jane's Response}
Do you think that you have achieved all your life's dreams?
- Hillary 9/30/99
{Jane's Response}