Theos-Talk Archives (June 1998 Message tt00162)

June 5th 1998

Dalas has been wondering :

Karma and its perception has been a subject for debate.

Some kinds of karma we see instantly.  Drop a brick on your foot,
it hurts, you are careful with heavy objects thereafter.  Wave
your hand unexpectedly in a person's face, their eyes will blink
and they may flinch -- instinct " or memory of past hurt (Karma)
had made that part of the body sensitive ?  Boiling water or
steam scalds.  Sugar is sweet,  Some of these things are inherent
in the properties or qualities of substances -- but our use or
movement near them adds a factor.  What is our mysterious
relation with "things," and with "people ?"

Have a fight, verbal or physical. with someone, is the
relationship changed thereafter ?  Why ?  Some of it is fear of
karmic results.  Why do some people want to go to "confession ?"
Why do some expect "absolution ?"
Why do many expect to be saved by Belief in Jesus, or some other
deity ?   Why do many think that "God" sees all they think or do
?
Is it because we have an innate knowledge that karma operates ?
Is Karma --  God ?  What makes the difference between "good" and
"evil ?"  is it thought, feeling, motive, action -- or some
combination of all of these ?  Where can precise information be
had ?

Why is it that even the criminal desires to appear righteous ?
Why is hypocrisy disliked ?  why is honesty admired ?
Why is the whole issue of morality and ethics so "touchy ?"
Does karma work if no one sees us ?

I seem to recall that Plato goes into this in a dialog named "The
Laws" -- there is a discussion about the relative "laws of three
countries."  Finally there is agreement that those are mirrors of
a wider a more encompassing law of inner fidelity, moderation and
honor.  Why should that be ?

Karma is looked on as "Nemesis -- the pursuing reaction to evil
acts.  But to be fair, Karma is also good.  It rewards virtue.
We do not often look on "good fortune" as karma.  We call it
"luck, chance, etc."  And we do not think that we deserve it. it
just happens.

But if we look around and into the affairs of nature we see laws
operating everywhere, chaos nowhere, and cooperation and harmony
far exceed disharmony and strife.  So why should it be specially
absent in human affairs ?

These are questions I think of when this arises ?

Why are we so interested in securing "something for nothing ?
How can we be sure that value we pay out (up front) will be
recompensed with a fair value of information or training ?  How
many seek "powers, magic words, special advantages, etc.," so
that they can employ these to succeed where others fail, or to
run in advance of the pedestrianating crowds ?

Curious, curious.  How, in the presence of mutual dependence, the
desire for isolated favors and special independence. or the
securing of ease obsesses us.  We know that any excess ends up
boring
us.  So why ?

There are thinkers, and there are actors, but rare indeed are
those who do both, and still rarer are those who do both well.
They and all things are covered by karma in any case.  What are
ideals ?  Who, and How are they formulated ?  Why do they appeal
to some and horrify others ?

But to get back to the perception of Karma, the main deterrents
to grasping its vastness are that its action is not always
obvious.  In some ways there is "quick karma" -- like the brick
on the toe.  In others it may take years. [Think of the magic
change in Scrooge in Dickens's "Christmas Story." -- We all can
will to change our attitude. ]

If one should adopt the idea that karma is a fact, then there is
a vast storehouse of the past -- of balances of good and bad,
that we will have to meet.  Now, today, we make decisions.
Later, tomorrow, next year, next life perhaps we will meet the
results of our present choices.  But is this so ?

What does man have "will ?"  What is determination and what is
Volition ?  What is the "Mind ?"  Why do we have accidents of
distress or of fortune ?  Why are we so unsure bout this subject
?

Theosophy says that the evolution of the Universe, of the Worlds
and of us, as also of the life-atoms is all wrapped in Karma, and
that its operations lead every being from ignorance to wisdom.
None is sacrificed or rejected or "killed."  All being alive must
move on.  So one of its functions has to be educative.   Why
should we resist being educated ?  And if we welcome fresh
vistas, what can they be ?

Karma are you there or are you not ?     Can we know you and your
works ?

        Dallas

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