Consciousness is energy, and energy cannot be destroyed, it can only change states. This energy comes from the Creator and is constantly evolving. In Masonry, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Hinduism and other metaphysical sciences, all life forms are separated into four kingdoms: Mineral, Plant, Animal, and Human. There is a progression of souls through these Kingdoms that the Hindus and Buddhists called the "Wheel of Samsara". There is a point at the top or apex where one can get off the wheel, escape the suffering of cyclic existence, and enter "Eden", the state or Nirvana. ("Go in through the narrow gate".)
As an example of how it works, when an animal is in the wild, its soul is not reincarnated, it is dissolved and fragmented before it is redistributed into its particular soul group. Animals that are pets and develop relationships with humans evolve more through their experience and may come back in a similar body with a similar personality, and maybe even something in the eyes that heartbroken owners who lost their pets could see in a new puppy or kitten.
I understand that some are bewildered by my comments.... metaphysics is not for everybody.... for some, nothing exists beyond what can be perceived, and thats ok. But isn't it revealing how all these eastern religions and mystical sciences are all in agreement in revealing deeper spiritual things, while Christianity and the Western world is mired in its literalism and its inability to think in the abstract.
~PS