Theos-Talk Archives (January 1997 Message tl00006)

I appreciate the responses, especially from Murray and Titus. All gave
facets of the multiple enigma of Karma.

Titus wrote:
>Many human associations involve willingly (and gladly) assuming the burdens of
>another. A parent will sacrifice for his or her child, a husband or wife for
>his or her spouse, and friend for a friend. Extend this to our karmic covenant
>in being born into an environment with certain parents or friends: We may not
>have "earned" the genetic load we inherit from our parents, but we can agree
>to assume it for their benefit and backwards "unto the third and fourth
>generation" as the Bible says.
>
>A related concept to intentional suffering ...
>
>Until we have internalized a lesson, a certain amount of pain is also
>necessary to light the lamp of illumination. This is the lesson of the cross.
>A certain amount of pain is built into our world, as the allegory of the
>fall from Eden portrays.
>
>There is no more focused intensity of attention than in pain. Many, many
>examples of a person's psychic gifts being opened after some tremendous
>ordeal of pain. I could give you a dozen references.
>
Taking upon oneself the burden of another might be seen as
immersing/aligning oneself in the state of mind of someone else and taking
over/dissipating all heaviness, so that the other feels relieved.
Indeed overstepping one's boundaries, caring for another recognizing part of
oneself in him/her, is part of the hallmark of a state of being, which
brings one to another quality of life, including taking upon oneself the
burden of a generation of families like Prof. Jung felt he did. A state of
being that is constantly being besieged and therefore compared to walking on
a razor's edge.

Another aspect which may be confused with or considered "Karma" is that
people seem to receive power when being called upon by circumstances or
their fellow-(wo)men. They rise above their normal personality - something
else takes over. In the case of HPB, being placed in a unique position, or
called upon, to enlighten others with an inspiring outlook on life, gave her
the inspiration of a genius.
The entrusted spiritual power may come as a blessing, a flow of energy to
others.  Yet, there is the danger that it can be taken away, leaving the one
who passed it on, thrown back and empty like the dark night of the soul.

On an ordinary level coincidences may change one to quite another person,
like in the case of an extra who is at the right place at the right moment
so being pushed up to stardom (another instance is  Napoleon).

All ingredients for food for thought.
Michael
Amsterdam, Netherlands
http://www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/index.html