Theos-Talk Archives (April 2002 Message tt00275)

Monday, April 22, 2002


Karma: Can we trace its working


Dear M and Friends::


In answer to your query about proving Karma:

1. Science: Boiling water will scald. Fire will burn Air
dries away moisture by evaporation, etc...

The evidence of LAW operating everywhere and in all departments
of Nature is overwhelming.

Our Science is merely scratching at the surface of the CAUSES for
Laws in operation in Nature. To discover we often have to
destroy and then study the dead results -- we kill to learn in
many cases.

The whole of our technology is built on the assumption that ours
is an honest Nature -- and that the laws of chemistry, physics,
engineering, mathematics are invariable.

But we are not so sure about Law operating immediately when it
comes to the matters of human thinking, feeing and acting. There
often is a time-lag which makes us wonder if Nature is as careful
and as rigid there in the area of psychology and motive, as it is
in physics. If there is a delay, why would this be so. We find
that theosophy declares Nature is rigidly just and fair, and good
is repaid by good, and evil follows upon the committing of evil.
How to prove this?

Now if we all had the power of seeing the astral patterns in
electro-magnetic fields and grids which underlie all physical
forms of whatever kind, then, without "killing" we would be able
to watch the operations of law in Nature -- of Karma in man's
life, the force of our motive indelibly impresses the material
(atoms, molecules, cells) of our bodies when we think or feel.

The best way we can watch Karma in man's life is to use the
various "soaps" on TV that deal with crime and court actions.
Like LAW AND ORDER.]

I am now going to ask a series of questions which occur to me as
important and valid.

We ought also to ask ourselves what is the basis for the common
Laws of any country.
How were they framed?
What are the criteria of behaviour that are addressed?
Why is it that "vice" always masquerades under the appearance of
VIRTUE ?
What exactly is vice?
Why are selfishness, personal isolation, the exaltation of one
Personality over many (as in tyranny), dishonesty, shady
dealings, etc shown to be common and universal matters of scorn ?

Almost everyone pays lip tribute to honesty, sincerity,
compassion and care for others -- Why ?

I admit this is all negative logic -- but there are some
significant reasons for this state of affairs.
Why does vice always assume the mantle of virtue?
Why are people acceptors of vicious rule?
Are "Governments" essential and necessary ?
Who is protected in "government?" The poor and the
under-privileged?
Why is such protection necessary ?

In other words why are having to live in a world where we are
made to suspect one another?

Why is doubt and skepticism rampant?
Why do theologies and priests take advantage of their
parishioners?
Why are the words of God and of his Wise Son misinterpreted, or
made into rigid rules by some creeds?
Are the Bibles and the Laws of God as published in millions of
books and dozens of Churches right or wrong?
Where is there a common code of right livelihood? How do we find
it ? How do we assure ourselves of its fairness and accuracy?

Sorry about these so many questions. But the opposite is the
existence of LAWS that Nature has established to support us all,
regardless of the abuse that we may impose on her and others.

Is it not fair that Karma operates to redress wrong?

Karma is simply the power of Nature to restore disturbed harmony.
If we did the disturbing, then she sees to it that we get the
exact results of that choice, sooner or later. The main problem
as you imply is we are still unable to watch her do this. If
you have a copy of LIGHT ON THE PATH you could go to the end of
the book and read the essay on KARMA there --it is helpful.

Would it not be fair for the "matter" (I mean the atoms,
molecules and cells) we use, to become impressed with the
quality of our emotions and thoughts?

That linkage is provided by the philosophy of Theosophy which
declares that Nature is alive, and infinitely sensitive to al
that might enhance or disturb her laws and ways of supporting
life. Her impartiality is the source of the reactions we get
from Karma. And all things are regulated by affinity or
repulsion, according to the subtle power of our feelings and
thoughts -- as to their motives and the power we give them when
we launch them. This is what is lacking in our perception as
modern psychology tries to study man's reactions and motives and
finds that they differ subtly from the behaviorism, and "knee
jerk reactions" of animal instinct.

Reasoning memory, planning and intuition are all faculties
related to humans -- and to humankind mixed with human emotions.
Their source and power are subtle and difficult to detect with
instrumentations. But we all have them and in some they are more
developed than in others. Why ? The MIND and its many
capacities and qualities make the difference. We need to find
out exactly what these are. Do you have a coy of PATANJALI's
YOGA SUTRAS. There is to be found there a discourse on the
forces and qualities of the mind. If you cannot get a copy let
me know and I will send one to you. It is well worth a study and
will help to answer your question.

And would it not be justice for those distortions to eventually
return to us (as their creators) and make us feel the effects of
the power we unleashed in distorting them?

Hope this is of some help.

Do you have a copy of Sir Edwin Arnold's THE LIGHT ON THE PATH
OF ASIA -- or can you take out a copy from the library and read
the 8th "book" (chapter) You will find there a wonderful lecture
attributed to the Buddha, and put into verse -- it is a
disquisition on Karma and Universal law. Well worth a read.

Best wishes,

Dallas

PS

I m attaching a copy of the

APHORISMS ON KARMA -- which might also help

==================================

APHORISMS ON KARMA


(1) There is no Karma unless there is a being to make it or feel
its effects.[PARA][PARA][PARA](2) Karma is the adjustment of
effects flowing from causes, during which the being upon whom and
through whom that adjustment is effected experiences pain or
pleasure.[PARA][PARA][PARA](3) Karma is an undeviating and
unerring tendency in the Universe to restore equilibrium, and it
operates incessantly.[PARA][PARA][PARA](4) The apparent stoppage
of this restoration to equilibrium is due to the necessary
adjustment of disturbance at some other spot, place, or focus
which is visible only to the Yogi, to the Sage, or the perfect
Seer: there is therefore no stoppage, but only a hiding from
view.[PARA][PARA][PARA](5) Karma operates on all things and
beings from the minutest conceivable atom to Brahma. Proceeding
in the three worlds men, gods, and the elemental beings, no spot
in the manifested universe is exempt from its
sway.[PARA][PARA][PARA](6) Karma is not subject to time, and
therefore he who knows what is the ultimate division of time in
this Universe knows Karma.[PARA][PARA][PARA](7) For all other men
Karma is in its essential nature unknown and
unknowable.[PARA][PARA][PARA](8) But its action may be known by
calculation from cause to effect; and this calculation is
possible because the effect is wrapped up in and is not succedent
to the cause.[PARA][PARA][PARA](9) The Karma of this earth is the
combination of the acts and thoughts of all beings of every grade
which were concerned in the preceding Manvantara or evolutionary
stream from which ours flows.[PARA][PARA][PARA](10) And as those
beings include Lords of Power and Holy Men, as well as weak and
wicked ones, the period of the earth's duration is greater than
that of any entity or race upon it.[PARA][PARA][PARA](11) Because
the Karma of this earth and its races began in a past too far
back for human minds to reach, an inquiry into its beginning is
useless and profitless.[PARA][PARA][PARA](12) Karmic causes
already set in motion must be allowed to sweep on until
exhausted, but this permits no man to refuse to help his fellows
and every sentient being.[PARA][PARA][PARA](13) The effects may
be counteracted or mitigated by the thoughts and acts of oneself
or of another, and then the resulting effects represent the
combination and interaction of the whole number of causes
involved in producing the effects.[PARA][PARA][PARA](14) In the
life of worlds, races, nations, and individuals, Karma cannot act
unless there is an appropriate instrument provided for its
action.[PARA][PARA][PARA](15) And until such appropriate
instrument is found, that Karma related to it remains
unexpended.[PARA][PARA][PARA](16) While a man is experiencing
Karma in the instrument provided, his other unexpended Karma is
not exhausted through other beings or means, but is held reserved
for future operation; and lapse of time during which no operation
of that Karma is felt causes no deterioration in its force or
change in its nature.[PARA][PARA][PARA](17) The appropriateness
of an instrument for the operation of Karma consists in the exact
connection and relation of the Karma with the body, mind,
intellectual and psychical nature acquired for use by the Ego in
any life.[PARA][PARA][PARA](18) Every instrument used by any Ego
in any life is appropriate to the Karma operating through
it.[PARA][PARA][PARA](19) Changes may occur in the instrument
during one life so as to make it appropriate for a new class of
Karma, and this may take place in two ways: (a) through intensity
of thought and the power of a vow, and (b) through natural
alterations due to complete exhaustion of old
causes.[PARA][PARA][PARA](20) As body and mind and soul have each
a power of independent action, any one of these may exhaust,
independently of the others, some Karmic causes more remote from
or nearer to the time of their inception than those operating
through other channels.[PARA][PARA][PARA](21) Karma is both
merciful and just. Mercy and Justice are only opposite poles of a
single whole; and Mercy without Justice is not possible in the
operations of Karma. That which man calls Mercy and Justice is
defective, errant, and impure.[PARA][PARA][PARA](22) Karma may be
of three sorts: (a) presently operative in this life through the
appropriate instruments; (b) that which is being made or stored
up to be exhausted in the future; Karma held over from past life
or lives and not operating yet because inhibited by
inappropriateness of the instrument in use by the Ego, or by the
force of Karma now operating.[PARA][PARA][PARA](23) Three fields
of operation are used in each being by Karma: (a) the body and
the circumstances; (b) the mind and intellect; the psychic and
astral planes.[PARA][PARA][PARA](24) Held-over Karma or present
Karma may each, or both at once, operate in all of the three
fields of Karmic operation at once, or in either of those fields
a different class of Karma from that using the others may operate
at the same time.[PARA][PARA][PARA](25) Birth into any sort of
body and to obtain the fruits of any sort of Karma is due to the
preponderance of the line of Karmic
tendency.[PARA][PARA][PARA](26) The sway of Karmic tendency will
influence the incarnation of an Ego, or any family of Egos, for
three lives at least, when measures of repression, elimination,
or counteraction are not adopted.[PARA][PARA][PARA](27) Measures
taken by an Ego to repress tendency, eliminate defects, and to
counteract by setting up different causes, will alter the sway of
Karmic tendency and shorten its influence in accordance with the
strength or weakness of the efforts expended in carrying out the
measures adopted.[PARA][PARA][PARA](28) No man but a sage or true
seer can judge another's Karma. Hence while each receives his
deserts, appearances may deceive, and birth into Poverty or heavy
trial may not be punishment for bad Karma, for Egos continually
incarnate into poor surroundings where they experience
difficulties and trials which are for the discipline of the Ego
and result in strength, fortitude, and
sympathy.[PARA][PARA][PARA](29) Race-Karma influences each unit
in the race through the law of Distribution. National Karma
operates on the members of the nation by the same law more
concentrated. Family Karma governs only with a nation where
families have been kept pure and distinct; for in any nation
where there is a mixture of family - as obtains in each Kaliyuga
period - family Karma is in general distributed over a nation.
But even at such periods some families remain coherent for long
periods, and then the members feel the sway of family Karma. The
word "family" may include several smaller
families.[PARA][PARA][PARA](30) Karma operates to produce
cataclysms of nature by concatenation through the mental and
astral planes of being. A cataclysm may be traced to an immediate
physical cause such as internal fire and atmospheric disturbance,
but these have been brought on by the disturbance created through
the dynamic power of human thought.[PARA][PARA][PARA](31) Egos
who have no Karmic connection with a portion of the globe where a
cataclysm is coming on are kept without the latter's operation in
two ways: (a) by repulsion acting on their inner nature, and (b)
by being called and warned by those who watch the progress of the
world.[PARA][PARA][PARA]Path, March, 1893[PARA] [PARA]
-- W Q Judge