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205 #34 The Law of Karma A.

Introduction The fundamental law of the universe is the law of karma, which works on the physical, emotional, and mental planes of life and must be worked out or returned on the plane they were sown. This law is, in some measure, expressed in physics as: For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction and philosophically: every action, word, emotion, and thought produces, in time, a reaction of like quality. Karma a Sanskrit word meaning deed or action is also known as the law of consequences or compensation. Applied to the moral sphere, it means: If we do good, good is returned; if we do evil, evil is returned. Karma is simply the effect of the causes we have set in motion, positive or negative, returning to the doer. The law of karma is not only the law of retribution and punishment but, above all, it teaches, corrects, regulates, balances, and compensates on any level of the multidimensional universe. It seeks to be constructive and beneficial, and it functions as an ideal cosmic police force. This law is impersonal, neither good nor bad, and lets humans learn valuable lessons of life. Those lessons may return again and again in certain cyclic life patterns and will 4repeat themselves until we have learned them. Through the law of karma, God gives us opportunities to learn from our mistakes and live in harmony with the karmic law. God, however, does not and cannot interfere or suspend His law but leaves humans alone to make their own decisions on how they should act, so that they will grow 5quickly and wholesome to maturity. In addition, the law teaches individuals restraint, self-control, responsibility, selfreliance, patience, unselfishness, compassion, and forgiveness.
REMARK: It is very important that the people, especially in the Western world, understand that everyday life is governed by justice and not by chance. This will convince them that it is foolish and to their disadvantage to live a life of selfishness and wrongdoing because they can never escape the effects of their harmful and evil deeds.

206 This law should especially be taught to those whom, through ignorance, do harm to others and are then surprised that life is not treating them very well. They should be pitied, not hated or cursed, because they do not know what they are doing. Those people should learn to understand that good deeds and thoughts produce beneficial reactions, such as: gifts, opportunities, growth, etc., while bad deeds and thoughts produce unpleasant reactions, such as: deprivation, missing opportunities, backsliding, etc. The law of karma corrects wrongdoers in a more accurate way than the criminal justice system is able to do. It is unerring, just, and its punishment always fits the crime. The criminals not only carry the effects of their misdeed(s) with them in their degraded character but also convey the cause of the imbalance of the universe within them. In order to readjust equilibrium, criminals sooner or later get caught by the foolish mistakes they make or through other circumstances beyond their control. In many cases, the officers of the law are the channels for this correction. When someone is punished for the crime (according to the man-made laws of the land), the punishment meted out may be greater or lesser than the law of karma would permit. The sentence the criminal receives may depend on the laws, former cases, the jury, character of the judge, the persecutor, and defense lawyers. If the criminal gets away with a lesser sentence, he or she still has to balance the remaining debt, and when the punishment is more than what is deserved, the universal law and other forces will work to reduce the sentence. The debts they have made to society can be paid off quicker when they serve others when confined, write to their victims, ask for forgiveness, pray and fast for them, and most importantly, read the Bible and other books for their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual development. By doing so, they purify their personality, are reborn spiritually, and start living a divine life. Capital punishment was usually carried out by those people whom were living under the mosaic dispensation because it was not possible for them, at that time, to restore themselves or receive rehabilitation from others. Therefore, they paid the ultimate price. In the New Testament dispensation, the ones whom have no regret of what they have done by taking the life of another should expect that their life likewise be taken. However, those whom feel deep regret and heartfelt

4 The Spanish-born philosopher Santayama (1863-1952) said that if people do not learn, they are condemned to repeat it. 5 In order for us to grow even faster, God may at times send us trials and tribulations and let us overcome them. He does this for the sake of testing us, to prepare us for a mission, and to help us grow in character and personality. God may also put us in a situation where we must love and train a person we do not like in order to help us develop our love for all people.

Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny (Matt. 5:26).

207 sorrow (contrition) for what they have done and seek for ways to atone for their sins (especially those whom are living a divine life whom are not under law but under grace Rom. 6:14 ) should not have to give up their life. Having been forgiven by God, the criminals should be given a chance to redeem themselves, with the help of God-chosen individuals. The latter are mature, willing to sacrifice, and have an abundance of accumulated merit.
REMARK: The laws for the civic and moral conduct do not regulate the feeling and thinking of individuals, as the law of karma is able to do.

208 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have done shall be done to him (Isaiah 3:10-11). Bring the full titles into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing (Malachi 3:10). See also the story of the widow of Zarephath and her son, and how they were miraculously fed (1 Kings 17:8-16) by giving all that they had to Elijah, the chosen servant of God. Compare with a similar story in Mark 12:42-44 of a widow who gave everything she had and the lad who gave five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:9). The law of karma in Jesus discourses is called sowing and reaping and is also known as the law of the harvest. It is expressed in Luke 6:37-38: Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned (see also Matt. 7:1-2 and Rom. 2:1); give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword (Matt. 26:52; Rev. 13:10). The golden rule, which is in harmony with the law of sowing and reaping, is expressed in Matt. 7:12: Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them, or as it is usually worded, Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Apostle Paul said in Gal. 6:7, 9, Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. --- And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season 1we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. In 2 Cor. 9:6-7, Paul said with full conviction, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. In Romans 1:26, 27 it is recorded that the men and women whom committed dishonorable passion with their own gender received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

The law of return is universally understood as: What goes around comes around; By doing good you will meet good; He got what was coming to him; You get what you deserve. People often say, What did I do to deserve this? or Why did this happen to me? Further, they say, You brought it upon yourself and I deserve what I get. As the Dutch saying goes, The one who digs a hole for another falls in that same hole; The one who throws a stone to heaven gets it back on his/her own head. B. What Does the Bible Say about the Law of Karma? Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed (Gen. 9:6). If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same (Job 4:8). See also Hosea 10:12-13. Because The eyes of the Lord are in every place (Proverbs 15:3), He who conceals his transgression will not prosper (Proverbs 28:13). Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days (Ecclesiastes 11:1). If a thief steals money or goods, he/she pays double (Exodus 22:7).

Forgiveness is not meant here to grant freedom from penalties or consequences of action but freedom from accusation, guilt, blame, and resentment.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (2 Cor. 5:10).

209 Paul also elaborated in 1 Cor. 9:11, 14 If we have sown spiritually good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefit? --Those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel (see also Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). God will lay it on their heart to give to those who help humanity and especially the Divine Spirits or Souls of people to grow in any spiritual community. The importance of this growth is emphasized by Jesus Christ in Matt. 6:33, to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (food-shelterclothes) shall be yours as well. Thus, when we serve God, then God will look after all our material needs (not greed). When we 2leave the earth plane, we cannot take material things with us, not even our bodies. The only real gain we make in this life on earth is receiving spiritual treasures or riches, not earthly treasures (Matt. 6:19-21). By receiving, understanding, assimilating, and becoming the Truth, our human spirit and our Divine Spirit (Soul) will come into its own by expressing pure human qualities and Soul qualities or the fruits (treasures) of our Divine Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Our surviving human spirit, united with ones Soul, has become substantial and no longer shadow-like or ghost-like. Thus the Soul, with its attributes or qualities, always lives in heaven, even when our physical body is still roaming this earth. C. Practical Considerations of the Law of Karma Paul said in Acts 20:35, It is more blessed to give than to receive. It has also been said, The gift you give to others is the gift you give to yourself. For that ye give, that alone you have that ye lose ye never had. For what you give away to others: your love, time, money (accumulated energy), labor, knowledge, power, etc., is what is really your own. Only when water was poured for others, became it wine (John 2:8-9).

210 When we help another, we help ourselves, but when we harm our neighbor, we harm ourselves. If we give out love, love comes back to us; if we hate someone, hate will be returned to us. If we defraud others, we shall become the victims of fraud and lose everything we have gained by fraud. When we cheat others, we find that we are cheated in the same way. If we steal from others, something of value will be stolen from us. If we grab the opportunities of others, our own will turn bitter. When we are treating our fellow workers badly in order to be promoted, we will be treated in a similar fashion. An attempt to find happiness at the expense of other people starts a chain of bad or unlucky occurrences in our lives. By going through the same suffering and bitter experiences we have caused to others, we will eventually learn valuable lessons not to do harm to others or find out the hard way that crime does not pay. We will then become convinced that any kind of wrongdoing can never be to our advantage because the bad effects of such actions will always return to us in the course of time. It is exploitation when someone tries to steal another persons job, drive a competitor out of business, and take away the romantic affection of someone whom is already engaged to another person. The gains acquired through intimidation, domination, or control and by dishonesty are gains that cannot last long. Those persons feel insecure of what they have and are always afraid that they will lose what they control and possess, or that someone will take it away from them. Some individuals prefer to live a life as a parasite or freeloader and excuse or justify themselves by saying that the world owes them a living. If they work at all, they try to steal as much time and things from their employer as they can. According to the law of karma, or to the principle of sowing and reaping, nothing in this life is handed to anyone who is able to work. The Bible says, if anyone will not work, let him not eat (2 Thess. 3:10). They should not think snugly that they could get anything for nothing. The persons either pay their debt to society now or they have to pay much later in ways and forms not of their liking, including ill-health. By not giving anything to society, the universe cooperates perfectly by not returning anything to them.

Etheric pictures are sometimes flashed before a dying person, which show the lessons learned and not learned, as well as achievements and failures of the life just lived. This movie of your life is being transferred from your dying physical and etheric bodies to your surviving spirit body. REMARK: While living on earth in a physical body, we should first build up our spirit body so that it can house our Divine Spirit. The latter should also be developed and completely integrated, with the spirit body as its object.

Some people only seem to learn the hard way and do not want to learn by object lessons. As a Dutch saying goes, The ones whom do not want to hear have to feel (the consequences) Wie niet horen wil, moet voelen.

211 In the universe of law and justice, there are no free gifts; each person has just what he or she has earned. There is therefore no such thing as luck or chance. Many people whom experience a number of mishaps in their life usually attribute those calamities to bad luck. When, thereafter, the karma has expanded its force, they become aware that they are back in a period of good luck. The persons go through life being alternately thrust in good or bad luck. They do not seem to realize that all that happens to them is the result of their own doing because they have set in motion the causes of their good or bad fortune. When they are in a bad period of their life, they may believe that of no fault of their own they are being punished or have fallen on hard times or ill-luck. The individuals whom believe that the universe might be run by chance are likely to say, How I wish that my bad luck would end and that lady luck would bring me more good fortune in life. Some guys get all the luck; You bring me good luck; I wish you luck; Wish me luck; Good luck; He /she just ran out of luck. To paraphrase Emmet Fox, the 19th century American metaphysician: There is no such thing as luck. Nothing ever happens by chance. Everything good or bad that comes into our life is there as the result of an inescapable law, and we are the only operators of that law. Consciously or unconsciously, we have produced the desirable or undesirable conditions in our life, which we have ordered and are being delivered. However, when we think rightfully instead of wrongfully, conditions will improve at once, and all ill-health, poverty, and disharmony must disappear. Life need not be a battle; it can and should be a glorious mystical adventure. D. The Law of Sowing and Reaping A farmer who cultivates the soil and sows a particular kind of seed expects to harvest, in due time, the multiplied yield of what was planted. The farmer has complete trust in the law of the harvest and knows that he will reap, in the same field, the same kind of crop as that of the nature of the seed. In other words, if he has planted corn, he does not expect wheat (James 3:12). For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit --- the good man produces good, and the evil man produces evil (Luke 6:43-45).

212 We reap in the same field, or our actions are worked out or balanced at the same plane (physical-emotional-mental) where we have sown. As expressed in karmic law: for every emotion felt (loving or hateful), for every idea or thought (positive or negative), for every word spoken (good or bad), and for every act committed (creative or constructive), the law adjusts, balances, and compensates. The result goes back to the feeler, thinker, speaker, and doer. Thus, each type of force works on its own plane, in the working out of its action and reaction. For instance, one person may give alms to a beggar wholeheartedly with sympathy, consideration, and a kind word, while another person gives his share in order to get rid of the beggar as a nuisance. Both persons have performed a good act on the physical plane, but the latter person did not earn any karma for the emotional and mental aspects of his/her being and, thus, is not rewarded from those planes. From this it follows that by indulging in sexual fantasy or having lustful thoughts, the people are creating karma emotionally and mentally.
NOTE: Matt 6:4 says that we should give our alms in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. As Gods consciousness pervades the spiritual and physical universe, He knows what is going on at all times and all places, while His laws will reward and adjust. This reward will not only be good for one person or group but also for everyone else because He and His laws do not favor one over another. When God works to help one person, it is also good for another person.

Much of the accumulated karma, especially the psychological kind, may be discharged while one is living permanently on the inner planes. In order to wipe out the karma made on the physical outer plane, the surviving human spirit has to inspire the spirit of a suitable person living on earth to do good deeds with his/her physical body. This is not an easy task because the inspired earthly person does not always respond very well. In that case, the descendants of the diseased person of the inner plane have to fulfill this task while they are living on earth. By inspiring others to do good deeds, the inspirer and the doer receive positive karma. Someone living on earth can likewise inspire or influence others to do good or bad. The positive or negative invisible result of the deed will then go back to the initiator and doer. By the same token, a dictator has the tendency to claim all accomplishments as his own when the people blindly obey him.

213 When the seed is sown, it may take some time to fully blossom. For example, the good seed the Pilgrim Fathers sowed is being reaped today in a greater measure than in the past. This multiplying effect can also be seen of famous pieces of art, music, and literature, which were created a long time ago. As a farmer expects a manifold return of the seed he has planted, we likewise can and should expect (Mark 11:24) an abundant return of the seed money we have planted (Matt. 13:31-32) by giving to needy individuals and worthy organizations. Our contribution to life may be compared to capital deposited in a bank. It is like a great cosmic reservoir of energy, wherein all our giving, services, offerings, prayers, and sacrifices are deposited. We easily deplete our account when we continually ask for blessings without replenishing by serving and tithing. When we are spiritually bankrupt, we should not expect that God readily answer our prayer. Life is not treating us so generously as before; instead we are experiencing reverses or misfortunes. This is an indication that our cash balance is gone and that we must deposit new capital if we want to draw more benefits. When we have accumulated a considerable quantity of merit, we may receive some credit or desert when we have done something wrong so that the punishment is limited. Finally, when we are really convinced that we shall reap what we sow, we should no longer consider ourselves smart by taking from others or seeking to gain by wrongdoing. Only a person lacking common sense and intelligence would try to get something for nothing and go against the universal law of karma, which is part of the body of God. E. The Law of the Old and New Dispensation The law of karma or natural law is especially relevant to people whom are living the life of the personality and to people whom are still living according to the Old Testament laws and traditions, which demand equal payment for the wrong done to you or to others. This

214 moral law and its Ten Commandments is known as the law of life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand (Exodus 21:24; Matt. 5:38). This law was in complete agreement with the many actions the Lord God of the Old Testament was indirectly responsible for in guiding His people. For example, in the time of and before Abraham, God was far removed from the consciousness of the people, and they identified their god(s) with the forces of nature they greatly feared. In the time of and before Moses, the people believed in one God, who sometimes appeared as a wrathful and ethical ruler they obeyed and feared. This was the operation of the karmic law, sometimes exercised by angels and directed to people whom had no direct relationship with God. Thus, the Israelites were often confronted with the harsh and severe law of karma. Hebrews 9:22 says: Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. In the New Testament dispensation, Jesus Christ opened an opportunity through His work and sacrifice, that anyone whom accepted Christ as their Savior is no longer under law but under grace (Rom. 6:14). God is no longer a master to be feared. They are no longer servants of God, as in the Old Testament dispensation, but become His children, whom can relate to Him directly and accept Him as their Heavenly Parents. Thus, those in whom Christ is formed (Gal. 4:19) have become a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), and the personality I or ego is no longer leading their life but their budding Christ or Divine Spirit (Gal. 2:20). Thus, the only sacrifice the people have to make in order to be accepted by God and re-enter the Garden of Eden is to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, who overcame the sin of the first Adam by being obedient to God and by overcoming all temptations. However, the sins of karma, which the individual has made in his/her earthly life, and the sins of their immediate ancestors should also be absolved before it is possible of entering the Garden or commencing a clear Divine Life. This 1 clearing, or taking on the others karma, is often done by saints of all times and religions, the people who brought them to Christ, or they

Parents who love their children should teach them consistently what is right or wrong. They should not tell them that a particular act is right today and wrong tomorrow. Otherwise, the children become confused and would give up efforts to improve themselves. The same is true for the developing human race, which would become confused when chance is ruling its life and not the law and perfect justice.

This clearing or suffering for sins (paying off a karmic burden) can be done by making sacrifices such as fasting, donating time and money, gifts, good works, long walks, praying to blot out sins, taking on anothers burden, and the ultimate sacrifice: martyrdom. The blood of martyrs is known to be the seed of the church. Those sacrifices are also called: restitution, indemnity, penance, reparation, amends, atonement, redemption, and taking on anothers karma.

may clear their own. The more karma the person(s) has accumulated, the more 215 they are under the domination of evil forces, who will do everything in their power to keep from having their subjects leave their evil camp and entering the Kingdom of God. For candidates to be completely liberated from their evil masters, they have to pay off their own karma, including (through sacrifices or indemnity) the ransom price (which is much less because of Christs suffering and victory over satan) so that the evil masters no longer have any claim on them. Living a divine life as Christ-like individuals or Divine Spirits, they no longer accumulate any karma and are able to forgive 2sins (John 20:23) to those whom are sincerely sorry for what they have done. Although the latter persons including backsliders have repented and are forgiven by God, they still need to pay penance or indemnity when they have sinned in order to balance their karma until their Divine Spirit is in 3complete control of their purified personality. These persons will accumulate much positive karma or merit by praying, witnessing, teaching, and continually serving the people. These individuals not only are able to forgive sins but also absolve all or part of it by taking confession and feeling much compassion for the sinner(s), while praying for them continually. F. Family, Group, National, and Race Karma As every cell is responsible for the proper working of the organs and parts of the whole body, each human being is responsible not only for individual karma but also for the ethical, moral, and spiritual conduct of the family, group, community, state, nation, race, world, and its karmic consequences. When one becomes a member of or associate with an organization, religion, or country, he or she is partaking, to some extent, in the collective karma of the relationships above. The misery (or happiness) of any nation or race is the direct result of the thoughts and acts of individuals who make up the nation or race. 4 If
2 The violation of creeds and theological dogma is not always a sin, when this belief is not based upon the law of cause and effect. This law should be more feared than the fear of hell because it determines our life now and then. 3 See The Birth and Evolution of the Divine Spirit or Soul. 4 Some people whom have no karmic liability have been gone accidentally somewhere else or are called away from a catastrophic event, miss the train, ship, or airplane. Yet other people are hurried to the disaster area or become involved in the karmic accidents.

they acted wickedly in the past, they will be treated severely in order to

216 restore harmony, such as conquest, 1war, disease, plague, sterility (of women), etc., and some natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, crop failures, droughts, cyclones, hurricanes, tidal waves, etc. For instance, ancient American people, the Egyptians, the Hawaiians, and others died out, while the Red Skins, Australians, Polynesians, and other unique people are in the process of dying out (through the force of evolution) unless they unite with a more advanced race. Classic Greece and the Roman empires were extinguished as a nation because the leaders were more interested in their own well being than the welfare of the people. Spain and Portugal lost their splendid position of power by committing national crimes against the conquered people, while Holland and England lost their colonies. They all came to conquer and wanted the oppressed people to serve them instead of guiding and serving the people according to the principles of Christ. During the reigns of Louis XIV and XV of France, the well to do acted with selfishness and indifference to the poor and uneducated, which also happened in the reign of the latest Czar of Russia. The result was the French and Communist Revolution. It was easy for Alexander the Great to conquer Persia in his war of revenge because the latter had conquered Macedonia in Greece 150 years earlier. The Jewish race, which was most cruelly treated by the Antichrist nation of Germany, acted in a passive meek manner as lambs going to the slaughter. As many white slaves were physically and spiritually liberated in the Roman Empire through the Gospel of Christ, so were many black people liberated when they came at age, especially when they accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They expressed themselves as little children of God in those times in the Americas by spiritual song and dance.
REMARK: Many people whom are working for employers still feel that they are slaves, especially when they are humiliated by those bosses who enjoy ruling over their subordinates with evil power.

G. How Does Karma Work?

Hitler had the armistice signed in the same railroad car and in the same forest as that in which defeated Germany had signed the armistice ending World War I.

In order to believe in the law of karma, I shall attempt here to give a reasonable explanation for those individuals whom cannot be convinced of the working of the law by psychic and intuitive appeal alone. 217 A stone, when thrown into a pond (a deed done), disturbs the still water (create disharmony) and causes wavelets to flow around and outward (and send karmic ripples or vibration outbound). This activates all the water particles on its way (effecting different levels of aether) to the bank surrounding the pond. Thus, by impacting upon the surrounding boundary, it brings forth an instantaneous or delayed rebound depending on the power and nature of the impact to the initiator of the action, which can be physical, emotional, or mental. The result of the good and evil deeds, feelings, and thoughts goes to the doer of the action, according to the cyclic law, which is independent of time. Thus, the law of karma always works because all action, desire, and thought disturbs, to some degree, the equilibrium of the universe, and such disturbances always seek to return to the state of balance. A stone thrown in the air is acted upon by its boundary or gravitation, and the result is that the stone falls back to the earth with an impact and time depending on the initial power. It reacts and returns to the source of its origin like an echo. The universe as the body of God is like the human body. It consists of many organisms, which are interdependent of each other. As the pain of a finger is felt by all the parts of the human body, so any negative action is felt throughout the cosmic organism. Did not the Bible say that the Father knows when a sparrow is falling to the ground (Matt. 10:29)? Since everything is inter-linked and interacts with every other being, no entity can live separate from others. All beings are affected by the causes that are set in motion by other entities, which reacts to the performer or the thinker in the degree of the force used. Everything we think, say, or do becomes part of an energy or force that we send out into the universe and also produces its own vibrations in the various wrappings or auras of our human spirits. Every experience is engraved in our spirit and is always with us as if it were adhered or stuck to our being. We may carry it with us as a dark and heavy burden if this experience resulted in suffering and distress to another being, and it also hinders our moral development. Thus, each

time we misbehave, the karmic consequences of our action become attached to us. For example, when we steal, the effect of the deed infuses into our human spirit and remains there. On the other hand, 218 positive emotions, thoughts, and acts result in positive vibrations, which also enter in the makeup at different levels of our existence. If we take and do not give back, we create imbalance or bad karma, which registers in our subconscious, and we take it with us wherever we go. This negative action also creates imbalance in the universe as a whole, and it will do anything in its power to restore its balance of harmony by making us give back what we have taken. For instance, the debt will be extracted from us when we are and have acted in a selfish and greedy way. When humans, unlike nature, use their free will to act for their own selfish ends at the expense of the whole, they become ugly, repulsive, distorted, and create harmful karma, which is a disturbance of the harmonious energy of the universe. The mineral, plant, and animal kingdoms (when left alone) create harmony in nature and appear beautiful because they are in tune with the plan of our Creator. The way the law of karma responds to our actions is proof that we have done the right thing because after we have paid our obligation, we feel that we no longer owe somebody, group, or society anything anymore. Thus, the feeling of debt and guilt is no longer with us. By the same token, when we have given a lot, we feel an assurance that the universe will take care of us. The activities, moods, or attitudes of a person set up vibratory patterns harmony or disharmony within his or her life and begin to influence the individual. Those patterns cannot be prevented or forced to operate contrary to the causes set in motion and, thus, have to work themselves out on the different planes. Thus, there is no way to escape or cheat the law of karma, and our thoughts, words, and works are recorded in the Book of Life by none other than yourself (Rev. 20:12; Phil. 4:3). Besides, the motives of everything we have ever done are known not only to God but also to those who see with the eye of the Spirit. The action of karma proceeds under the cyclic law, which is independent of time. The effect may be experienced instantly or it can

be delayed. In the material realm, action and reaction can be instantaneous and have the same impact on the objects. In the moral 219 sphere, it may take much longer, and the action is not always the same as the reaction. When our feeling or thought is selfish, the energy it creates moves in a close curve and returns and expends itself upon its own level. However, when the thought or feeling is unselfish and spiritual, it moves in an open curve, touching the higher realms and bringing back great rewards. H. The Truth about Reincarnation Reincarnation (Latin re-in = again, carnis = flesh). To come again in a human body as a human spirit or soul. It should not be confused with transmigration or metempsychosis, which is re-embodiment in other kinds of living beings, such as plants and animals, whom were often worshipped. Today, transmigration has generally been accepted as an act of regression. Reincarnation and karma, as an interwoven system, are the cardinal principles of the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsee, and Sikh religions and are rejected by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We also find reincarnation or rebirth among certain early Greek philosophers, such as Pythagoras, Empedocles, and Plato, and it has been accepted by some segments of the Western mystery tradition. It has been said that Pythagoras (d. 500 B.C.) and the Greeks learned the ideas of reincarnation from their contacts with the culture and religions of India. Reincarnation, together with its sister law of karma, is an ancient belief that can be traced to early Hindu teaching after early vedic times. At some point or period, the doctrine was probably developed in order to make sense of (the more evil than good-oriented) human life, which was full of suffering, and to give them security and hope for a better future life. This was also the goal of Buddhists and Middle Age nominal Christians whom were looking with great anticipation for the good life in the nirvana state or in the heavenly state of being, which those Christians thought could only be realized in the afterlife or heaven.

Adherents of the theory of reincarnation believe that the Bible proves the idea of re-embodiment by saying that John the Baptist was 220 the reincarnation of Elijah, the Old Testament prophet. Howbeit, John was fulfilling the same mission as that of Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 4:5; Luke 1:17). Besides, Elijahs reappearance is not a case of reincarnation because he had not died in a normal way but had, instead, been carried in a bodily form into heaven by a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:1-11). Furthermore, Hebrews 9:27 disproves the idea of rebirth by saying, it is appointed for men to die once. Reincarnation is the belief that the soul or the real person not only survives physical death but is also born in a succession of different physical bodies and, thus, many lives on earth. The doctrine further states that the law of karma requires that humans be born again and again if the karmic accounts are not balanced in the course of one life. This belief also allows human beings more than one span of life in which to learn the 1many experiences and lessons of life and to achieve harmony with cosmic laws. Further, reincarnation is caused by karma settled in former lives but is also the means by which karma can be worked off or balanced. When humans, for example, in previous embodiments have done much evil and harm or have been guilty of little, they will be born and grow up in unfavorable or favorable circumstances. Thus a child, for instance, may have a sickly body, a weak character, a dull mind, a sullen disposition, and other complexes and shortcomings, whereas the other child may have a healthy body, a strong character, intelligent mind, pleasant disposition, and other natural abilities and talents. The doctrine of reincarnation seems to solve the apparent 2inequalities in peoples lives and the 3problem of evil and injustice by having created, in former lives, the causes of the
In the ideal world of the future, people will live much longer by having a stronger immune system and will not have to cling to only one profession or occupation for economic reasons. They have more free time to pursue all kinds of hobbies and have more opportunities for object learning. 2 To be born in wealthy circumstances is not always a true blessing. The rich, especially in the world of good/evil, are apt to become selfish by not serving others, have less compassion for the ones who suffer, and are less resourceful, inventive, and persevering than those whom have to make a living. The latter individuals, especially in the world which is in the process of restoration, understand that life on earth is a workshop, a boot camp, a training ground, or schoolroom. They develop valuable soul qualities such as: courage, self-respect, initiative, determination, strength, creativity, patience, confidence, honesty, depth, duty, honor, and forgiveness. Thus, the rich whom have no problems must be a problem to God, for they are not learning about life nor love and do not grow much in their mental and spiritual development.
1

In chemistry, if the chemical equilibrium is disturbed, it takes some time to neutralize the disturbance. Many people of that time also believed in eternal punishment of hell when they seriously violated Gods law and (or) the teaching of the church. This, of course, cannot be true because that would be a great injustice, whereby the effect is all out of proportion with the cause.

221 reward or punishment, which are meted out in this life. However, the goal of Hindus, Buddhists, and others is not merely to settle karmic accounts or to reincarnate in more favorable circumstances but to go beyond the compulsion of karma and rebirth, or as in the Buddhist expression, the ceasing of the round or wheel of birth and death (samsara). By attaining moksha or liberation, the Hindu will no longer be trapped in the cycle of death and rebirth, and the Buddhist, upon enlightenment or nirvana, is free from karma, rebirth, and suffering. The law of karma is a natural law; the doctrine of reincarnation is a man-made law and is not completely true in all of its applications. People whom believe in reincarnation do not want to accept and take any responsibility for the harmful deeds their parents and immediate ancestors have made. However, the Bible clearly says in Exodus 20:5 that God is visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation. This saying is also true for parents whom were not able to balance their karma and, thus, did not get punished while they were living on earth. After death, these parents have an opportunity to absolve their negative karma or sins by influencing with their human spirits (not reincarnate) certain people to do good, especially those the parents have harmed while they were still living on earth. If this does not work out, their children or grandchildren have to pay the karmic price. Hindus and Buddhists believe that through a life of suffering, they can pay off their karmic debt, while Janism believes that the soul can be released from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth by the existence of austere practices. Mature Christians believe that it is possible not only to pay for their own sins or karmic burden but also that of their brethren and others by fasting, good works, and other forms of indemnity. This atoning for others can be made much lighter when a church, group, or organization as a whole is also praying and supporting the above efforts by paying the indemnity.
REMARK: Many people whom believe in reincarnation have become convinced of this theory because they have felt or sensed (by reading ancient history or visiting historical sites and thinking about certain people of the past)
3 The problem of evil deals with the question, If God is all-powerful and good, why does He allow so much suffering in the world? He has given the people free will and responsibility to have dominion of the world and, therefore, cannot interfere. Thus, if the people do not act right, they have to bear the consequences.

that they have played a part in that history. They also believe that they have lived in or near that site or have been those people. However, those people are human spirits whom are influencing their lives to do good (or bad) and others whom are trying to express themselves through them. When the people are hypnotized, the subconscious of the person (which is the conscious of the

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spirit body) may express itself, or the conscious of the influencing or overshadowing spirit may come through. Those spirits may be spirit helpers, teachers, evil spirits, or undeveloped earthbound spirits which have not found the Light. Finally, the belief in reincarnation is known to have caused schizophrenia, obsession, and possession.

This attitude is quite different from that of the Hindus, whom have a tendency to say to those whom need the most help, they are suffering their karma from a previous life, and it is not good to interfere because it is their fate. Others may say, the sufferers brought it on themselves; let them take the consequences. A guru who passes by beggars in front of his asram may think, they should not be helped; otherwise they would not have happy future lives. Those whom believe in reincarnation may easily fall in the above described attitudes and are no longer their brothers keeper (Gen. 4:9). They do not have much compassion for the sick, the poor, and the injured and easily pass them by on the roadside (Luk. 10:30-37). However, Sister Therese proved them all wrong. The law of karma is a judicial system without a personal judge. Although God cannot go against His own natural law because it is part and parcel of His body, He is able to make concessions and intervention by sacrificing Himself through saints of all religions. He does this in order to protect and also warn His and Her little children, whom are in the process of restoration, against the severe workings of the law. In conclusion, we can say that suffering for another is a divine privilege and great honor. As it has been said in the Dutch language: Het is heerlyk om te lyden zodat we Holland kunnen bevryden It is a pleasure to suffer and to have endured, so that our nation can be liberated and cured.

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