from personal experience, I'm not completely sure. I think that we at least have "soul memory" and that is how we remember our past lives. For me, I think I've had a least a few lives where I've been something different than the original life. In fact, I think the majority of my lives have been different than that life... but that is something that I'm not totally ready to share in public...yet.

I honestly agree with Crystal Rayne - despite the fact our outward appearances change - I believe our soul is born a certain race- and with very little exception - forms the base of who you are weather you are aware of it or not. Yes, I think current lives have quite a bit to do with who we become from life to life - I feel but it's only half the story. I've got some personal experience to back this - for better and worse >_> -> as my sister, Ryu can, and probably will eventual attest too...