A Study In Karma

Based on the works of Annie Besant

 

Fundamental Principles and Natural Law

 

The Knowledge of Karma is one of the most Illuminating Gifts conveyed to the western world, removing human Thought from the realm of Arbitrary Happenings and Placing Man's Future under His Own Control. The word Karma is a Sanskrit term literally meaning "action," and it represents the unbroken, linked series of Causes and Effects that make up all human activity. It operates as a Universal Law of nature, encapsulated in the concept that "as a man soweth, so shall he also reap".

 

A Law of Nature is not an arbitrary command, but a statement of conditions. While human laws are variable, local, and can be evaded, Natural Laws are Universal, Unchangeable, and possess no arbitrary penalty. Understanding that Karma is an Inviolable Natural Law does not paralyze human effort; rather, It Frees man, because Knowing the Conditions allows him to Master Forces that would otherwise helplessly toss him about.

 

 

The Three Threads of Karma

 

Man lives normally in three worlds—the physical, emotional, and mental—and creates results in each according to their respective laws. He spins the "karmic rope" through three distinct modes of Self-Expression:

 

Thought (Cognition): Thought is the most potent factor in the Creation of Human Karma, as it directly builds a person's Mental and Moral Character. By Patiently Repeating Thoughts, a man Creates habits of Thought, Literally Becoming what He Thinks upon.  "For as He Thinketh in His Heart, so is He..." -Proverbs 23:7

 

Desire (Will): Desires are the outgoing Energies that Attract us to External Objects. By our Desires, we map out our future opportunities, determine the nature of our astral body, and attract the possessions or objects we will have hereafter.

 

Activity (Action): Our physical activities directly affect the outer world and spin the third thread of Karma. The reaction of our past actions upon ourselves dictates our future environment, our limitations, and the very physical body we are born into.

 

 

Perfect Justice and the Mastery of Destiny

 

Karma is the Restoration of Disturbed Equilibrium, Acting with Perfect and Absolute Justice. The angels of judgment are utterly just; the physical agony inflicted upon others in the past—such as by inquisitors or vivisectors—reacts upon the doer as physical deformity or congenital disease. Conversely, a Selfish man who performs good physical actions, like building a hospital for the sake of a title, will reap the harvest of easy, pleasant physical surroundings, though his Selfish Motive will simultaneously Yield a Mental Harvest of Disappointment.

 

Because man Creates his Own Capacities and Limitations, he is capable of reshaping them. By deliberately examining his character, a man can Use his Thought-Power to eradicate weaknesses and Build Virtues. Even the hardest Karmic factor to change—our environment—can be Used as a Tool to Smooth and Polish our Character until its Lessons are Learned.

 

 

Collective and National Karma

 

In addition to Individual Karma, every person is woven into the complex web of Collective Karma by acting as a member of larger groups, such as a family, a sub-race, or a nation.

 

Family Karma: A family has a distinct Thought-Atmosphere and historical past that shapes the traditions and opportunities of the egos born into it. An Individual is drawn into a specific family due to past ties, services, or unexhausted relationships.

 

National Karma: The ascent or descent of nations is brought about by acts of national righteousness or criminality. For example, the atrocities of the Spanish Inquisition dragged Spain down from its position of power, and the Selfishness of the Wealthy towards the poor Directly Caused the French Revolution.

 

Natural Disasters: Seismic catastrophes, such as earthquakes, floods, and plagues, are manifestations of Collective Karma. Individuals are gathered into, or called away from, these local catastrophes based on their specific Karmic Liabilities.

 

By Understanding the workings of Karmic Law, Individuals can become Conscious Cooperators with the Divine Will. By holding up noble national ideals, they can set in motion Powerful Karmic Forces that accumulate and eventually lift the entire nation to a Higher Level.

 

 

The Broader Esoteric Perspective

 

When synthesizing these texts, the Esoteric Truth becomes clear: The Christian concept of Satan is an exoteric personification of the limiting, resistant forces of matter and the retributive aspects of Karma. Satan acts as the "tester" or "adversary" because the soul requires the heavy, resistant friction of the material world—and the painful consequences of breaking natural laws—to awaken its latent divine powers and to ultimately choose the path of truth through free will.