Theos-Talk Archives (June 2004 Message tt00045)

June 10 2004

Dear Friend:

Here are some areas and possible directions you might look into in
answer to your questions:


1) Why are we start to be hit hard by Karma from every corner, once
we decide to spiritualise our life, namely to purify our 4 lower
bodies ?

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

DTB	1) The whole Universe is an expression of the past
Karma of every being living in it. Every "life-atom" (skandha) is
imprinted with the moral and mental quality of those human thinkers
who use it. (see APHORISMS ON KARMA below)

To grasp this one must understand that the whole Universe is made up
of "life-atoms" [Monads consisting of three basic qualities: SPIRIT
- MATTER -- MIND ] These are imperishable and eternal.

The objective of the Universe in manifestation is to give every
"Monad" [Humanity consists of Monads developing the MIND-FACULTY] the
opportunity of self-development. This is don e invariably by
self-devised ways and means. 

The Universe is very ancient and is guided by great rules and
regulations, which in general, are called KARMA. Without any
exceptions, these impersonal and universal laws rule everything. The
Universe, every Monad, and all the Laws are eternal. There is no
annihilation for any part or aspect of the Universe.  

The Universe and every being in it including Man is seven-fold in
nature: 1. SPIRIT, 2. BUDDHI (or accumulated WISDOM),. 3. MIND,
4. KAMA (or desires and passions), 5. LIFE (or Jiva / Prana), 6.
ASTRAL BODY (the model body for the next) , and 7. the PHYSICAL
BODY. 

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

2) What dimension are we in when being a "astral traveler", and a
"mental traveler" ?

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

DTB 2) Within the physical frame OF EVERY BEING,
(ANIMAL, HUMAN, VEGETABLE, STONE) is an electro-magnetic lattice work
of forces which is called the "Astral Body." This forms a basis for
the accumulation of atoms, molecules, cells, etc. It is one of the
most active and law-abiding aspects of Nature. Every element has a
fixed relation therein and all combinations follow strict laws of
attraction and repulsion -- as chemistry and physics give evidence to.


Each of the ""life-atoms" (skandha) " referred to above is given its
appropriate place under this primary and fundamental Law of Nature.
The whole Universe is a manifestation of this Law of "affinity." The
primary directives are set into motion by "desire, passion, and
emotion." The quality of these is determined by motive. Motive is
determined by the moral nature of a desire. Desire using the will
sets the "life-atoms" into action. Our "physical bodies" are examples
of this.
 
Most of us do "astral travelling" and don't recognize it. A "dream"
is one kind of astral travel. Developing fancy is another.  

But in the first case the mind is passive and asleep and all that it
becomes aware of are fragments of events experienced while asleep.  

In the 2nd case, our "fancy" is usually directed by our desires (Kama,
passions urges emotions) and, with the help of the mind, our
'imagination' causes fanciful as well as true pictures to be seen and
developed. We have to learn how to distinguish between fancy and
truth in such cases.

There is a 3rd case reported where apparently some students can travel
in their astral body to various places. There are then, 2 broad areas
visited and those are directed by "fancy and desire," or 2nd, by will
and thought. The 'motive' in such cases is important. (see
PATANJALI's YOGA SUTRAS on this subject)

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

3) " see thoughts directly, see mental images and conceptualizations
directly, see exactly how limiting and distorting they are, and so on"
would be a violation of people privacy. How do we avoid the "psychic
powers" abuse ? 

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

DTB	3) This question has to be answered by every individual for
themselves. The universal "Goal" for all Monads in evolution,
anywhere, is PERFECTION OF WISDOM (BUDDHI),  

THIS WISDOM CONCERNS UNIVERSAL TRUTHS EMBEDDED IN ATMA, and this of
course includes the method of acquiring them. This is embedded in
MANAS, the Mind-principle. In general, the advice given to those who
would spiritualize themselves is to study Nature. Learn what her Laws
of cooperation and universality are. Harm no other beings. Practise
Brotherhood and share all wisdom with others who ask for it. The
concept of individual immortality (of the Monad) implies Brotherhood
on the widest possible scale. We are all "Eternal Pilgrims." 

TRUE PROGRESS FOR HUMANITY lies in understanding the psychic nature
and the mental nature we have so far developed, and, without imposing
our standards on others, apply the most rigid morality to all our
living hours and days, in terms of our works, thoughts, desires and
in all our affairs. We thus cease developing the seeds for "bad
karma" To do "Good" is most difficult, but as just said, the key is
to study so as to acquire spiritual wisdom, and then, make its
application a matter of brotherhood. 

EACH ONE DETERMINES THEIR OWN PROGRAM OF ADVANCE. The example of
other successful students is always available to inspire our efforts
and offer hints an directions that are reasonable, universal and
impersonal -- The practice is entirely ours. No one is ever set as a
"monitor" over others to direct or to judge them.

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

4) What is the ultimate goal of developing those siddhis ? Personal
goal development, or to synchronize with the "Law of evolution",
therefore serving the "Divine Plan"?

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

DTB	4. Spiritual "siddhis" are "qualities" of purity,
intelligence, wisdom and also, if any are acquired, the concept
includes the practical aspect of developing and maintaining the
ability to put into practice FOR OURSELVES. those facts and laws of
Nature we are able to discover and, which we can prove to ourselves
are universally beneficial. When obtained, they can be offered as a
gift to others who are suitably ready. The rules of Occultism apply
in such cases. [see H P B several articles on Occultism].

Personal strength in morality, rigidly applied to our own living and
thinking, together with compassion and generosity for all one's
fellows, are the main factors that the individual building of true
imperishable "siddhis" demand. 

A single phrase expresses this.

THE TRUE THEOSOPHIST BELONGS TO NO CULT OR SECT, YET BELONGS TO EACH
AND ALL.

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


APHORISMS ON KARMA


(1) There is no Karma unless there is a being to make it or feel its
effects.

(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.

(3) Karma is an undeviating and unerring tendency in the Universe to
restore equilibrium, and it operates incessantly.

(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.

(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.

(6) Karma is not subject to time, and therefore he who knows what is
the ultimate division of time in this Universe knows Karma.

(7) For all other men Karma is in its essential nature unknown and
unknowable.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(14) In the life of worlds, races, nations, and individuals, Karma
cannot act unless there is an appropriate instrument provided for its
action.

(15) And until such appropriate instrument is found, that Karma
related to it remains unexpended.

(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.

(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.

(18) Every instrument used by any Ego in any life is appropriate to
the Karma operating through it.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

Path, March, 1893	-- W Q Judge

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

If you desire to study a good text that explains these questions very
fully, read The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY It is short (180 pages) yet it
encompasses and explains simply the basic teachings contained in the
SECRET DOCTRINE 

It is available ON LINE at www.ult-la.org 
	 

Best wishes,


Dallas
 
====================================

-----Original Message-----

From: Pham
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 10:03 AM
To: 
Subject: RE: posts


Dear Friends,

I enjoy and also appreciate your posts. Please also clarify some
issues:

1) Why are we start to be hit hard by Karma from every corner,
once we decide to spiritualise our life, namely to purify our 4 lower
bobies ?
2) What dimension are we in when being a "astral traveler", and a
"mental traveler" ?
3) " see thoughts directly, see mental images and
conceptualizations directly, see exactly how limiting and distorting
they are, and so on" would be a violation of people privacy. How do we
avoid the "psychic powers" abuse ? 
4) What is the ultimate goal of developping those siddhis ?
Personal goal developpement, or to synchronize with the "Law of
evolution", therefore serving the "Divine Plan"?

Regards,
Van