Reincarnation...

In the Secret Book of John, reincarnation is placed at the heart of
its discussion of the salvation of souls. The book was written by
185 AD at the latest. Here is the Secret Book of John's perspective
on reincarnation:



All people have drunk the water of forgetfulness and exist in a state
of ignorance. Some are able to overcome ignorance through the Spirit
of life that descends upon them. These souls "will be saved and will
become perfect," that is, escape the round of rebirth. John asks
Jesus what will happen to those who do not attain salvation. They
are hurled down "into forgetfulness" and thrown into "prison", the
Gnostic code word for new body. The only way for these souls to
escape, says Jesus, is to emerge from forgetfulness and acquire
knowledge. A soul in this situation can do so by finding a teacher
or savior who has the strength to lead her home. "This soul needs to
follow another soul in whom the Spirit of life dwells, because she is
saved through the Spirit. Then she will never be thrust into flesh
again." (Secret Book of John)