I have always wondered about Karma and am at this stage feel somewhat indecided.
Some say that: “there is no such thing as Karma just a way to control people's actions based on some perceived right and wrong. It’s like Christian dictators using the threat of a Hell afterlife to control their followers…”
Others that "it is the law of spiritual dynamics that can be related to every act in daily life, that this law refers particularly to the accumulation of effects brought about by causes set in motion through our attitudes and actions in the past, and includes the new causes initiated in the present that will result in future effects."
So is Karma to a certain extent really is based on fear, where a person is too afraid to do what he/she truly desires due to this law which supposedly (and very much possibly) governs our life?
I would love to hear everyones’ thoughts on this.

Fear of suffering is natural; as is fondness for happiness.

Even if Buddhist leaders wanted to control people (if anything, they are just the opposite) for the benefit of the leaders, that would have nothing to do with the truth or falsity of the law of Karma.

Conversely, relying on personal freedom as one's primary purpose in life, has no effect on the truth or falsity of Karma.

Buddha saw clearly that suffering & happiness, have causes rooted in our thoughts, words & deeds, from this lifetime or past ones.

When one becomes confident that karma & its effects are true, then one naturally avoids causes leading to greed, anger & stupidity and produces causes leading to contentment, compassion & wisdom.

Aumiel,

You said,

"I have always wondered about Karma and am at this stage feel somewhat indecided."

--> I am excited to have an opportunity to discuss the intrinsic value of karma. Karma is the most important part of my belief system. When a person accepts the idea of karma into their belief system, all other parts of their belief system also change.

"It’s like Christian dictators using the threat of a Hell afterlife to control their followers…”

--> There is one difference. In Christiantiy, it is an angry God which arbitrarily dishes out punishment. With karma, (1) it is something we do to ourselves, and (2) it is 100% fair and non-arbitrary.

Well, there is one more difference. In Christianity, people are told they will be punished because they refuse to verbalize a particular statement, or refuse to follow a particular deity. Karma has neither of these two attributes. As a matter of fact, just yesterday, I was reading a statement by an evangelist that atheists will be reborn into the afterlife as mindless animals. Theosophy rejects such an idea as ridiculous.

"...the accumulation of effects brought about by causes set in motion through our attitudes and actions in the past, and includes the new causes initiated in the present that will result in future effects."

--> I think this is a very good definition of karma. It has been said that, when we do bad things, we throw the universe into an imbalance. And, when we burn off bad karma, we put the universe back into balance.

"So is Karma to a certain extent really is based on fear, where a person is too afraid to do what he/she truly desires due to this law which supposedly (and very much possibly) governs our life?"

--> Everyone knows that taking heroin is one of the most pleasurable things we can do. So why doesn't everyone rush out and use heroin? Because they will become addicts. Fear IS a part of karma — we are afreaid that doing bad things will cause us more trouble, and this is a very good fear to have. Karma causes us to be responsible for what we do.

I would like to get back to your statement, that a person is too afraid to do what they want to do, due to karma. Can you give me an example, where karma is a negative thing?

Thank you both so very much for such clear and easy to understand responses.

I have often pondered about the law of Karma and initiated numerous discussions on the topic at hand through different forums, many of which were fairly stagnant or quick to reply with the usual “it’s a people control method”.

Great point! I have never thought about the law of Karma in this way. Such a simple and logical response which has never been worded by anyone I spoke to before.
I was wondering if I perhaps could quote you to some of my friends and people with similar interests as to put forth a rationally sound idea which is not only easy to understand but is meaningful and very profound.

I suppose the only so called ‘negative thing’ which comes to mind when thinking about the law of Karma is pretentiousness which could follow suit. I’d hate to think that some people would be nice to me (or anyone else), avoid a heated discussion and not speak their mind only because they are worried that it would bite them on the butt later. It’s not a grave concern as such, just a thought really.
I guess anyone can express themselves in nicer terms without intentionally hurting the other persons feelings or resulting to violence, guess that would work with the law nicely?
To tell you the truth after reading your post I can’t really see a negative to it. Hmmm, you gave me more food for thought, lovely. :)

Aumiel,

You have asked if you can quote me. What the heck, why not? My job is to teach you the idea of karma. Your job is to teach it to your friends.

You said,

"...I’d hate to think that some people would be nice to me (or anyone else), avoid a heated discussion and not speak their mind only because they are worried that it would bite them on the butt later."

--> My first reaction to this statement is, use the Golden Rule. What if I were in their position? If it passes this rule — if I was acting like a jerk and I deserved to be spoken to in such a way — then it is OK. The Golden Rule IS karma, because if I act like a jerk, it WILL come back to me; someday, somewhere, I will have to tolerate someone being a jerk to me (and I will not be able to do anything about it). To me, this makes absolute perfect sense. It is the ultimate in fairness. How can I argue with the idea that fair is fair?

Regarding the rule, I have often encountered situations at work where people will do things like steal pencils from the company, etc. My reaction has always been, "Some day you will own your company and people will steal pencils from you. That is fair, isn't it?"

Most people think there is nothing wrong with stealing a pencil from work. I disagree. I think we will have to pay back every stolen pencil, either in this life or a subsequent life. If I can only get people to think about such a thing, I will feel I have succeeded.

We can take the pencil argument one step further. Here is a true story. One day, I was dealing with a supervisor at work who was a real jerk. One day I was so frustrated with him, I broke a pencil in anger. (It was actually something else than a pencil, but the pencil is a good example.) Did I make bad karma by breaking the pencil? I felt bad, but I then asked myself: If I was the owner of the company, and I allowed such a jerk to be a trouble-making supervisor, would justice be served by forcing me to absorb the loss of a pencil in such a way? My answer to myself was: yes. (Would you agree?)

Let's go back to your example of pretentiousness. I must admit that, more than once, I have wanted to do a bad thing, and the only thing that stopped me was the fact that I would be making bad karma, and that I would have to eventually pay it back. (Thus, I did not do the bad thing.) Therefore, I am a living example of what you have proposed. Am I guilty of being pretentious? I think not. (Do you?)

Aumiel, you are doing a good job of working through these issues. Ask more questions!

Sorry for not replying sooner, it's a very busy time of the year. :D
I have thought about the law of Karma a bit more. Here’s something which came up from my contemplations. Sorry if it gets a little bit confusing, I’m not 100% sure how to put it forth but here’s my attempt (hope it makes sense :huh: ) -
We as people like to categorize things; two of the many labels would be ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Technically we cannot say what the meaning of neither of them is, since something good for one person would be bad for another and visa versa.
If Karma is the law which refers particularly to the accumulation of effects brought about by causes set in motion through our attitudes and actions in the past, how do we know that we will get back what we sent out? Since energy is never destroyed but rather reused it can logically recreate itself in any manner it wishes. If I do something bad (in other persons’ eyes) and project this energy into the world without feeling guilty for it (seeing as in my opinion the doing wasn’t negative) who or what decides on the nature of my actions and acts accordingly with praise or punishment aka good/bad Karma?

Aumiel,

You said,

"Sorry for not replying sooner, it's a very busy time of the year."

--> Yes, it is! As a matter of fact, I have to make a special trip later today, just to get some egg nog (true story).

"We as people like to categorize things; two of the many labels would be ‘good’ and ‘bad’."

--> According to Theosophy, there is a cosmic definition of good and evil. (It is not up to each person to decide what is good and evil.) As a matter of fact, there is a group of Great Beings called the Lords of Karma. (Their name is the Lipika.) They decide what is good and bad karma, and they are guided by the plan for (1) our solar system and (2) the plan for the universe.

"...how do we know that we will get back what we sent out?"

--> If you want a guarantee, all that Theosophy can do is give you a theory, and hope it fits with you.

"Since energy is never destroyed but rather reused it can logically recreate itself in any manner it wishes."

--> The Lords of Karma control the forms which returning karma takes. I want to emphasize they are not allowed to make up any ol' situation. Rather, they are guided by the Plan.

"If I do something bad (in other persons’ eyes) and project this energy into the world without feeling guilty for it (seeing as in my opinion the doing wasn’t negative) who or what decides on the nature of my actions and acts accordingly with praise or punishment aka good/bad Karma?"

--> One of the most important Theosophical teachings is that we are never without guidance. There is not a galaxy nor animal species that appears without it being meticulously planned. That which cooperates with the plan is good, and that which goes against the plan is bad.

I am reminded of an example that I read somewhere in Theosophical literature: A man who kills animals to feed his family is making good karma, while a man who kills animals for "sport" is making bad karma.

Some time ago, we had a thread on "life evaluation" that occurs when we die. It is said that the evaluation happens in a matter of minutes. (We then go to Heaven, Nirvana, etc., depending on the results of that evaluation.)

I would like to describe the "life evaluation" that occurs when we die, although I got this from a non-Theosophical source. According to my non-Theosophical source, it is like watching a movie of our entire life. Every event of our life is shown. Not only that, but we can see every thought that everyone was thinking, every emotion that everyone was feeling, as well as every action that everyone did. With all of these factors at hand, it is extremely easy to see the right and wrong of each action. Imagine watching someone do something, and being able to see in their aura whether they were doing the action out of anger, spite, revenge, love, compassion, etc. (According to Theosophy, each of these emotions has its own color in the aura, and is immediately identifiable.) With such information, I think it is practically impossible to mis-judge the goodness or evil of any action. I believe the Judgement at the end of each lifetime goes a lot smoother, quicker, and fairer than you may think.

I think you have nothing to worry about, regarding a lack of someone or something that decides what is good or bad. I am confident a fully-functioning sytem is already in place.

Thank you for such a quick response.
I’ve never heard about the Lords of Karma before but did a little bit of reading on them after your post.
Here’s something I’ve found to be very interesting –

The Lords of Karma are multiple groups of enlightened dis-incarnate beings. A karmic group of nine to eleven Ascended Masters work with each soul group of embodied beings on earth. They include: El Morya, St. Germaine, Athena, Kwan Yin, Ashtar, Isis, Mary, Cyclopea, Balthor, Kuthumi, and Sananda.
Each lifetime we set up lessons for the purpose of soul development, evolution and growth. Through processes the Lords of Karma may be directly accessed and requested to complete these lessons immediately. We have worked the same lessons lifetime after lifetime and at this time further repetition is not necessary. Work with the Lords of Karma allows for a shortcut of these lessons and allows for a vibrational increase of the individual and the planet. Karma does not exist on most other inhabited planets, it only exists through the fifth dimension. Earth has been a third-dimensional planet and has very recently been raised to the fourth dimension overall and karma is on the way out.
By giving us conscious access to the Lords of Karma and to a simple method of karmic release, we are being propelled toward that fifth-dimensional reality where karma no longer exists as the primary means of soul growth and human evolutionary learning. Achieving a critical mass of people who are consciously healing their karma is the key to ending karma on earth. As we raise our vibrational status and ascent to the fifth dimension, the planet herself is also raised.

Also I was wondering if by the Plan you meant this (which was taken from http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/3987/theosop.html) –

The Great Plan
Theosophy explains how evolution on the planet Earth follows a certain scheme, the Great Plan, which is laid out from higher planes of consciousness. The Great Plan for this Earth is part of the plan for the evolution of the solar system, and so it continues upwards, plans within plans and cycles within cycles. On this Earth, the Great Plan is implemented by the Earth's Spiritual Hierarchy, also called the Great White Brotherhood, and it was the Hierarchy that founded the Theosophical Society through Helena Blavatsky and began releasing Theosophy to the public in 1875 as a part of their work for the enlightenment of humanity.

I don’t have a lot of time to discuss these subjects right now (our Christmas lunch is almost ready yey :D ), but will definitely let you know what my thoughts on them are later on.
I also wanted to say how much I appreciate you helping me out with all of the questions, you’ve been an amazing help!

Aumiel,

You have the right idea. The Lords of karma exist, but they are at a higher level in the Hierarchy than anyone who has recently had a physical incarnation.

I want to say a word about the term Ascended Masters. This term is not used in Theosophy. The Ascended Masters, and a movement called the I AM movement became popular in the early 1900's. (Theosophy as we see it today appeared in the late 1800's.) Theosophy does not see the "Ascended Masters" as part of Theosophy, although the followers of the "Ascended Masters" do see them as followers of Theosophy. (Confusing, huh?)

You may also come across the writings of Steiner and Bailey, two people who lived during the early 1900's. Allow me to show my bias towards their writings.... Both Steiner and Bailey (in my biased opinion) tried to being the idea of Jesus Christ into Theosophy — an idea I disagree with.

Ishtar (Ashtar) and Kwan Yin refer to Beings at a very high level within the universe. Cyclops rerfers to a race of giants that (according to Theosophy) really did exist centuries ago. Sanath (Sananda) is one of the Beings who was directly involved in the creation of humanity. Morya and Kuthumi are flesh-and-blood humans who have qualified for Nirvana, yet have chosen to not enter Nirvana. They remain here on Earth and help us quicken our Path to Enllightenment. As a matter of fact, Morya and Kuthumi are the two indivduals who started the Theosophical Society, back in the late 1800's.

We need to take a quick look at the entire Hierarchy. There are great Beings at the universe level, Beings that "rule" at the solar system level, and other, lower Beings that "rule" at the planetary level. There are levels in the Hierarchy all the way down to the human level, with Morya and Kuthumi being two of the highest at the human level.

I would not say the Lords of Karma are at multiple levels. I believe that group is all at the same level (although I could be wrong).

You have the right idea, that we work as a team with the Lords of Karma, and that a person's load of karma can be adjusted. Indeed, when a person chooses to step upon the Path to Enlightenment, (according to Theosophy) they request that their load of bad karma be increased.

"Work with the Lords of Karma allows for a shortcut of these lessons...."

--> I would diagree with this statement. Karma cannot be "shortcutted." It can be quickened and intensified.

"Earth has been a third-dimensional planet and has very recently been raised to the fourth dimension...."

--> This has not happened yet. As a side note, Theosophy does not use the terminology of "the Earth being raised to the fourth dimension."

"...karma is on the way out."

--> No way.

"Achieving a critical mass of people who are consciously healing their karma is the key to ending karma on earth."

--> This is similar to the Christian idea that we can escape our karma. I just do not see that happening.

"Theosophy explains how evolution on the planet Earth follows a certain scheme, the Great Plan, which is laid out from higher planes of consciousness."

--> I agree.

"The Great Plan for this Earth is part of the plan for the evolution of the solar system, and so it continues upwards, plans within plans and cycles within cycles."

--> I agree.

"On this Earth, the Great Plan is implemented by the Earth's Spiritual Hierarchy, also called the Great White Brotherhood...."

--> Most Theosophists use the term Brotherhood, but not the term Great White Brotherhood. Morya and Kuthumi, mentioned above, are members of something called the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood. (There are other brotherhoods in the world.)

"...it was the Hierarchy that founded the Theosophical Society through Helena Blavatsky and began releasing Theosophy to the public in 1875 as a part of their work for the enlightenment of humanity."

--> Technically speaking, Hierarchy refers to all levels, right up to Beings at the universe-level. It would be more correct to say that two members of the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood (Morya and Kuthumi) founded the Theosophical Society through Helena Blavatsky.

"I also wanted to say how much I appreciate you helping me out with all of the questions...."

--> I am fortunate to have found Theosophy, a philosophy that makes more sense to me than any other philosophy. I am only too happy to share it with you.

Ask more questions!

I wanted to ask you a bit more about the Lords of Karma, here are some questions which came up from my reflections:

Who was the first person to put forth an idea of their existence?
What makes one think that the Lords of Karma actually do exist?
Was it through meditation or ascension that they were first contacted and thus made known to humanity?
How did we find out the nine (or eleven) names of the Lords of Karma?
What are their messages to humanity (if any)?
And finally, do you know of any resources or books which talk about the Lords of Karma and can help in my further study of the subject.
Thank you. :)

Aumiel,

You asked,

"Who was the first person to put forth an idea of their existence?"

--> The first person I know of was Madame Blavatsky.

"What makes one think that the Lords of Karma actually do exist?"

--> I like the idea, because it makes sense to me. No other philosophy makes sense to me.

"Was it through meditation or ascension that they were first contacted and thus made known to humanity?"

--> Madame Blavatsky was a psychic who lived in the late 1800's. She ‘channeled’ religious information from a group of mystics called the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood. (The word ‘channeled’ is used loosely, as Madame Blavatsky usually maintained full consciousness and full self-control while communicating with the Brotherhood.) She received a great deal of information, including information on the Lords of Karma. I would not say the Lords of Karma were contacted directly. Rather, we only received information about them.

"How did we find out the nine (or eleven) names of the Lords of Karma?"

--> I do not think the full list of names has been released yet. I think a person would need to become an advanced student of the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood, in order to get such information.

"What are their messages to humanity (if any)?"

--> My best guess would be, we always need to pay back our bad karma, even if it takes several lifetimes.

"...do you know of any resources or books which talk about the Lords of Karma and can help in my further study of the subject."

--> Madame Blavatsky's main book is called The Secret Doctrine, and it talks about the Lords of Karma. (Warning, The Secret Doctrine is a difficult book to read.) I am putting together a study guide for The Secret Doctrine, if you are interested:

http://users.ez2.net/nick29/theosophy/stanzas.htm

Information about the Lords of Karma is under the area for the Lipika, which is under the area for the Second (Outer) Seven.

http://users.ez2.net/nick29/theosophy/stanzas.htm#lipika

I don't know about the "ending" of karma, but I do know it can't happen until every human being on this planet takes full, conscious responsibility for his/her thoughts, words and deeds, and acts in accordance with nature.

I think that Karma can perhaps be ended, but like Jon K have said it would only occur when every single person on this planet becomes conscious of their doings – if that happens there will be no negative energy to transform itself into physical world, hence piece on earth… Hmmm, the thought is both astonishing and somehow out of our reach, nonetheless a nice thought at that. :)

I also was wondering, what happens when a person unintentionally hurts someone via his or her doings? Example, an individual keeps a secret from their past which they know will devastate his/her current partner – somehow their companion happens to find out the horrifying secret and commits suicide, who’s to blame here, the secret was kept out of love but led to terrible outcome.

Aumeil,

You said,

"...it would only occur when every single person on this planet becomes conscious of their doings...."

--> I think your idea and Jon's is different. Jon is saying each person is responsible for their karma. You are saying some type of "world-wide karma" cannot cease to exist until each person becomes responsible for what they have done. I think the day will come when no one on Earth has any more bad karma, but I see that as more of each person taking care of it individually, than some kind of collective world-wide karma that each person is interacting with.

"... if that happens there will be no negative energy to transform itself into physical world, hence piece on earth."

--> You are on the right track, but I would re-word it as this: When it happens, there will no longer be a need for us to even live on the Earth. (We will be free to go somewhere else, some place better than Earth.)

"Hmmm, the thought is both astonishing and somehow out of our reach...."

--> Astonishing? Perhaps, but I see it as the inevitable goal of everyone presently on Earth. Out of reach? I disagree: It may take a long time, but there is no doubt in my mind we will eventually reach it.

Well, I take that back. Theosophical writings talk about people who will still not be ready at the end of Earth. (The Earth is only scheduled to be used for so many years into the future, and then it will become unavailable.) At that that, people who are not ready for Nirvana will be held back, and allowed to be humans on the next planet. At that time, our animals of today will be promoted to humans. Thus, the laggards of today's humanity will join the new humanilty of the new world.

"...what happens when a person unintentionally hurts someone via his or her doings?"

--> I think an appropriate amoung of bad karma will be assigned, one for the act, and one for the intent. I believe intent has a lot more to do with making bad karma than we think.

"...an individual keeps a secret from their past which they know will devastate his/her current partner - somehow their companion happens to find out the horrifying secret and commits suicide, who’s to blame here, the secret was kept out of love but led to terrible outcome."

--> I believe these kinds of situations are always communal karma that the two people are working out from a previous life together. One of the problems people have is that they have bad karma with a person from a previous life together, they are reborn together in this present life, and they just pick up where they left off, making more bad karma between the two of them. This is one more reason that, if we are in a bad karmic situation with someone in this life, we need to bring it to an end, and terminate the relationship as best we can without making any more bad karma. (Or turn it into a postive situation.)

Sorry, by that do you mean the intent of doing the terrible act or the intent of not telling your partner about the doing as to save them from emotional pain? (Just wanted to clear it up)
Lets take my scenario as an example of non-communal karma. (The story is like something out of ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ but I think is nicely suited for the purpose of understanding the law a bit better :) )
If a person was truly sorry for what has happened in the past and didn’t want to hurt their spouse but put that event behind them (especially if it had nothing to do with their partner), this person’s intentions are pure – hence no bad karma attached to the incident. With consideration to their intent of doing the act in the first place, should it not matter since depending on the nature of this act they will be judged accordingly via the law of karma, regardless of what will happen in the future – hence no need for additional kick in the butt when the spouse commits suicide, the person will be hurting enough.
What do you think?

Aumiel,

It is possible that the person who told the lie will not make bad karma, because their motives were pure. The other person (who gets the bad news) will burn off some bad karma when they get the bad news. They will then make new bad karma when they commit suicide.

In my opinion, the person telling the lie is merely the unwilling agent of the Lords of Karma. I remember an experience I had, where I got into trouble at work. To make a long story short, I do not think my supervisor made bad karma by treating me badly. I feel she was only doing something the Lords of Karma had set up for me. I do not think my supervisor created any new bad karma for herself at that time -- she was merely being a "conduit" for the delivery of my bad karma.

I believe that certain pieces of bad karma are scheduled to be "delivered" at a certain time. When that happens, I think the Lords of Karma simply take advantage of any "conduits" who are available.

Hello darlings, I’m back with some more questions about the Law of Karma after reading ‘Theosophy for Beginners’ by Christie (hope you don't mind :))
We have to pay back all of our Karma be it good or bad, and the way it happens in most cases is through other people. For instance (sorry for bad example), if one of my best-friends loses tamper with me causing me grief - it is because Lipikas keep the records of what has ever happened or will happen and distribute our Karma accordingly and hence decided that through that person (my friend) some of my bad Karma of the past will be paid back (perhaps I was unfair or cruel even to somebody in one of my past lives).
Now, if that is so – wouldn’t it mean that Lipikas predestine our lives and everything that happens to us is in a sense like a script written by them? We might think that we are making conscious decisions about something, but actually doing what Lipika have meant for us to do. Even if we do something bad and hence cause someone a great deal of pain, perhaps we are just helping that someone pay back their load of bad Karma from the past, and therefore should not gain any bad Karma for ourselves, otherwise if Lipikas did not choose us to do the bad deed in the first place – the other person wouldn’t pay back their bad Karma? And out of this comes my other question, what if most people of this earth stop doing bad all together (I know it sounds a little farfetched (for now), but lets take it as an example :)), there would be more advanced (older) souls here, than newer ones, how would the new ones be learning and paying back their bad Karma if there is no one for Lipikas to work through, or would they make people do bad things purposefully as to teach others (newer souls) a lesson in paying back all of their Karma? This sounds strange I know and in a sense goes against Theosophical teachings, but after thinking a bit more about the law of Karma last night, these questions crept up inside me and I now find myself puzzled…

Aumiel,

You asked,

"...wouldn’t it mean that Lipikas predestine our lives and everything that happens to us is in a sense like a script written by them?"

--> I think some things are predestined, and others are not. One release of anger and karma may have been predestined. It may trigger another release of anger and karma that was not predestined.

"We might think that we are making conscious decisions about something, but actually doing what Lipika have meant for us to do."

--> I think this is true is some cases, but not all.

"Even if we do something bad and hence cause someone a great deal of pain, perhaps we are just helping that someone pay back their load of bad Karma from the past, and therefore should not gain any bad Karma for ourselves...."

--> Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I think we can both be "conduits" to help people burn off bad karma (resolving us of any responsibility for what happens), and we can also create new bad karma. The trick is to see the difference. I think I have seen both examples in my life.

"...if Lipikas did not choose us to do the bad deed in the first place – the other person wouldn’t pay back their bad Karma?"

--> IF the Lipika had chosen us to do so, yes. If it was just a case of us making bad karma of our own volition, no.

"...what if most people of this earth stop doing bad all together...how would the new ones be learning and paying back their bad Karma if there is no one for Lipikas to work through...?"

--> Then other situations of bad luck would be created by the Lipika, where we could burn off bad karma. I think we see cases of bad luck happening nowadays that are really Lipika-created instances of burning off of bad karma.

"...in a sense goes against Theosophical teachings...."

--> I do not think so. Just remember that we will be held accountable for what we do.

Thank you so much for your response, it really helped to clear up my Karmic questions (so to speak), I really appreciate it. :)

Hi,

I came across this thread after I started another asking about Lipikas; great discussions.

Aumiel, there is a compilation of works by CWL called "The Inner Life" and there's one article on Karma in Section Twelve. In it, CWL explains that there are 3 types of Karma--Sanchita, Prarabdha and Kriyamana, which I think answers some of your questions. No I don't understand fully how the Law of Karma works and roles of the Lipikas and where they come from. I find most of Theosophy teachings interlinked and sometimes it's not possible to understand one topic before you understand something else first. It's challenging for people like me who are groping around; but this forum has been very helpful. What I don't understand I put them in the back burner first, and worry about them later. So far so good.

Cheers

Yesspiritual, thank you so much for your post, I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the works you’ve mentioned, they sound like a must-read for me! :)
I also wonder…. If the purpose with each reincarnation is for ourselves (our REAL selves) to grow and learn from life’s experiences using bodies as vehicles for the physical plane, what would happen if the whole world was destroyed (WW3?), how could we grow than, reincarnation would have to continue if we are to carry on with our spiritual evolution, would it not? And if so – than how, on another planet maybe, or do we work up towards our human form once again, starting at the very beginning as atoms? Although I do not think that is possible, we in the same sense could compare it to going back into out mother’s womb after growing into an adult– and that cannot happen.
Would any such incidence be accounted for as our planets’ Karma?

Aumiel,

You asked,

"...what would happen if the whole world was destroyed (WW3?)...?"

--> I believe a new civilization would be set up. As a matter of fact, Theosophy teaches that entire civilizations have existed on Earth, then disappeared. So, you could say the world has been destroyed, more than once. Theosophy also teaches that, one day, our present western civilization will be gone, leaving behind a mere memory, and a new civilization will have taken its place. (Have you seen those pictures off the coast of Japan, of a civilization that no one has ever heard of?)

"...reincarnation would have to continue if we are to carry on with our spiritual evolution, would it not?"

--> Yes, it would. It would just be a matter of waiting for a new civilization to appear, supply us with more bodies, and allowing us to pick up where we left off. Even if it took thousands of years, such an amount of time would mean nothing.

"...how, on another planet maybe, or do we work up towards our human form once again, starting at the very beginning as atoms?"

--> Yes. As a matter of fact, Theosophy says we are in our fourth cycle on this planet. We have been through the beginning of life on this planet three times already. (Theosophy says we will go through a total of seven cycles on this Earth, which will take a total of 4.32 billion years.)

"...we in the same sense could compare it to going back into out mother’s womb after growing into an adult– and that cannot happen."

--> It is a basic Theosopical teaching that nothing is ever wasted. Whenever someone loses their physical body, their "soul" waits patiently for the next body. We have millions of years to get this done, so there is no need to be in a hurry.

"Would any such incidence be accounted for as our planets’ Karma?"

--> I suppose it is possible, although I do not think planets have karma. But who knows? Also, I believe the great catacylisms that hit Earth periodically are planned by the Regents of our planet. I also believe that no huge asteroid could wipe out Earth without the Regents knowing about it ahead of time.

I am not afraid of karma. I always try to treat people the way I want to be treated. Before I found theosophy I never gave a thought to my actions. Theosophy has taught me that our actions bring consequences. I do not practice kindness becaus I am afraid of karma or because I want a pat on the back. I practice what you call the golden rule because it is the right thing to do. Yes we are taught that our actions will bring consequences but we should strive to learn from the consequences not out of fear but out of duty to our fellowman and to ourselves.

It is interesing to note that "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You" is on the sign above the steps leading into the Blue Star Memorial Temple in Halcyon California. This temple is the central building in the headquarters campus of the Temple of the People. The Temple of the People is the fourth and smallest of the Theosophical Societies in the US, founded in 1898 in Syracuse NY.

They are a wonderful group of people, and try to live the Golden Rule. Their motto is "Creeds Disappear, Hearts Remain".

Karma is not punishment nor reward. It is the universe seeking balance. It could be considered corrective, or perhaps educational for humans.

I did not know about the temple bearing the sign. Thanks for pointing that out. A wonderful weekend to all. I have an essay to write this weekend so I will be busy. See you all next week.

Sara,

You said,

"Before I found theosophy I never gave a thought to my actions."

--> Really? That sounds almost scary. How did you manage such a turn-around?