I wonder just how "free" we are once we are here on this plane, in these bodies. Yogananda himself questioned why our memories are wiped clean each time we are reborn (for most -- no doubt, there are exceptions). This would appear to render us more susceptible to the illusory nature of Maya from the start, less able to discern real from illusory and thus, less "free" to make wise choices. If one accepts the concept of the Divine Play, then one might conclude that if the actors are denied awareness they are actors, it will make for more "drama".
Reincarnation is an expression of freedom. We choose our life experiences. We had no memory because we can create and improvise and integrate our experiences, which otherwise with the weight of all our past lifes could makes it impossible for most...
If you want to read about reincarnation scientifically :
Read Ian Stevenson book...
If you want to go beyond, read Edgar Cayce and Rudolf Steiner books...
If you want to read an incredible reincarnation story , inexplanable without reincarnation, read "the search of Omm Sety" by Jonathan Cott ...
This book is totally incredible and true ...
Dorothy Eady or OMM Sety is considered the goddess of Egyptology...
One of the most passionate read i had last year...
If you are too busy you can listen this one hour radio given facts :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UajoDJosTYQ&list=PLDWCoiCR-ELl_5q7QPotDmDezHgww7h6t&index=12