CHAPTER – III

KARMA

INTRODUCTION TO KARMA

Throughout evolution, suffering has formed an integral

part of human experience. Time and again, the
question is raised: Why does suffering exist in a world
created by an almighty and all-loving God? Allowing
suffering he cannot be all loving. If suffering is outside
his domain, he cannot be almighty. The question seems
insoluble, but only as long as we maintain that suffering
is bad. Could it be that suffering has a purpose, may be
even a loving purpose?

People from the east have long had an explanation for

the cause of suffering and how to terminate it. Even
Buddha keeps returning to this crucial problem. In his
four truths and teachings about the noble eightfold
path, he emphasizes that suffering is caused by earthly
desires and that suffering only stops when a person has
achieved complete awareness and has no desires at all.
These thoughts seem odd to most Westerners. Let me
therefore begin by describing the law that causes all this
suffering. The initiates of the East call it the Law of
Karma. In the West people call it the Law of Cause and
Effect.
WHAT IS KARMA?

Karma is a Sanskrit word meaning “action”. According

to the Law of Karma, you shall reap in this life or the
next as you have sown in this and previous lives.

Every thought, feeling and need impels a corresponding

reaction. However, it is more the motive and intent
behind a deep that impels a reaction rather than the
deed itself. This is why a child only creates very little
karma through his actions. This is also why deeds
seeming good, but with an egoistic motive behind, only
have a small positive effect. On the other hand, a police
officer killing a potential evildoer to save a victim’s life
will only face little karma. Krishna tells us is in the
Bhagvad Gita: “One who acts by dedicating all activities
to the Ultimate Truth, giving up attachment; is not
affected by sin; just as a lotus leaf in water.”

Ignorance is to a far greater extent than malice the

cause of human suffering. As long as we are attached to
transient earthly things, we shall experience suffering
when we lose them. Therefore, all great and enlightened
souls, who have taught us humans about eternal
values, first told us to seek the kingdom of God; then we
shall be given all that we need. Still, we have a free will
to choose and learn through our choices.

It is important to emphasise that karma not only

involves all the positive effects we have brought about
through our many lives, but also the painful
circumstances we have had to deal with and learn from.
Bad Karma results in suffering and the purpose is to
help man get back on the right path. Good karma on
the other had opens up for possibilities, and the aim
here is for man to use his good experience and qualities
to help others. Thus he will help himself.

THE LAW OF KARMA

Learn to live according to spiritual rules of eternal life

and improve the quality of your life. Your mind,
emotions, speech and actions are affected by this law.

Mankind sometimes gets struck by their “destiny’>

Some suffer from illness, accidents, from being beaten
half death or death and they most if not all the time
claims others of being guilty.

This of course is completely wrong. Mankind needs to

learn to be fully responsible for all they do. The law of
Karma explains why illness, accidents and disasters of
any kind may occurs to some persons, and why others
may enjoy a happy life, free, healthy and joyful.

Learn to properly apply this law for your personal

benefit – it will be at the same time for the benefit of all.
By properly applying all spiritual principles of God’s
Divine creation, your life will become instantly easier –
provided you follow ALL rules exactly to the word.
THE LAW OF KARMA – HOW IT WORKS

Actually it is very simple and has been known for

thousands of years. The law of Karma is known in
Christian teachings, as well as in many other cultures.
It says:

Whatever you do to others – will be done to you, in this

or any future incarnation of your soul.

This law is so straightforward and logical, it sometimes

is hard to believe, that some persons still think they
may somehow get around it. If you knock your head
against a wall, it is obvious – it may damage the wall
and it may hurt your head. If you knock someone by
physically fighting – you may cause harm, pain, injury
to the person and the law of Karma requires you to
experience the same pain. This is to have you learn to
behave in a way that accuses but pleasant experience to
others and yourself alike.

Whatever you do, you may attract persons around you,

that have a same or similar Karma than you have. If
you are of a physically fighting nature, you may attract
such persons again and again. Until you start to
become aware of your own behavior and start to be fed
up with the result of your very own actions. Until you
start to strive for a more peaceful environment. The
only sure method of finding one is changing your very
own behavior.
This law applies for individuals as much as for families,
groups, villages, cities, nations, cultures or even entire
planets.

WHERE DOES THIS LAW APPLY ?

It applies for all you do toward any being including

animals, plants, planets, beings of any nature beyond
physical sphere, humans, including what some may
consider “criminals” – remember: All are children of
God – made out of his Holy Spirit, made to the image of
God. This law is valid for

• all of your actions

• all of your words
• all of your thoughts
• all of your emotions

SCIENTIFIC APPPROACH TO KARMA

Western scientists also see a relation between deeds and

either well being or suffering. Current researchers of
psychological and social issues are trying to uncover
this relation. It is actually widely accepted that traumas
may be traced back to childhood and early adolescence.
It is further recognised that unfortunate decisions made
by decision-makers of previous generations contribute
to social problems in later generations. All in all, it is
acknowledged that suffering is an interaction between
individual psychological dispositions, hereditary genetic
factors and social circumstances. In short, individual
problems are the result of both inner and outer
circumstances having root in the past.

The core issue separating Western belief from Eastern

belief is whether the causes of suffering only may be
ascribed to this life or whether they may also be
ascribed to past lives. The latter belief is not accepted
in academic circles today, even though the idea was
widespread in ancient Greece, the cradle of modern
science.