Modified Religion by Maitreya

We have seen why reincarnation was never included in the dogma of other religions. The leaders of those churches had their own reasons not to. It is somewhat understandable when they wanted to have a religion with its own identity and distinctly separate from religions which taught reincarnation. Karma, which makes the wheel of life turn, its effects immediately capable of being experienced, there being no need to wait until the next life to feel them, was never "discovered", nor discussed in philosophy circles and institutions of learning in the west. I assume that there was never any sufficient observation undertaken to see the connection between primary actions and results in terms of human behavior. However, considering that so many discoveries and theories were forwarded during this time, I am forced to conclude that other things kept people busy and occupied at that time.

To know the effects of our action requires a good memory, patience, and a gift of reflection tinged with some personal sensitivity to see the relation between the primary action and the numerous consequences which follow either immediately or sometime later. Obviously, we need to remember the action which we have made, but since we cannot remember all of them, when it comes to doing something we know is wrong, our conscience sees to it that we don't forget. We limit ourselves to simple karma where we are fully aware of our deeds, and nothing of the sort when conditions demand that we act differently from our natural selves, example, in times of war or in a matter of life and death. The laws of karma are different in these and other uncommon and unnatural cases and discussing them would just be purely conjectures on our part, hence, we talk about everyday more common situations and occurrences. If we have done something wrong, the normal reaction is to try to forget it as quickly as possible. We don't want to remember it. In karma, we too, try to forget such mistake of ours even if our conscience prods us awake.

For us to become aware of the effects of karma, we need to be patient. This is to keep us better prepared to accept the consequences. It is not a fight or flight dilemma. We cannot escape karma and one of the best ways to deal with the consequence is to accept it without remorse. A few smart guys at this point, who may turn their backs and say they certainly will not be patiently waiting for their punishment, that they would rather drink themselves to oblivion, have the wrong perception. It matters not what we do, if karma will affect us, it will reach us. Nor is it correct to brood and let our mistakes interfere with our daily lives. It is wrong to punish ourselves because we have committed some aberrations. We cannot forever be carrying such threat in our memory. Just be ready that when it rains, it might pour.

We also need to reflect a little to constantly have insights into ourselves specially our shortcomings. We need to be sensitive to other people's desires and faults so as not to exploit them and unwittingly cause harm. When we feel with other people, we have insights into ourselves, and by so doing, we would be refreshing ourselves into conditions that approach the effects of some past deed. We won't know that what is happening to us is the result of karma if we don't have the memory of the event, retrospection and the patience for it. If we choose to go on with our lives without ever wanting to learn about karma, then be it. We won't be any worse for not knowing karma but it sure beats everything when we have some leads to the cause of problems or successes happening to us.

Reincarnation and the law of karma are inseparable. The difference between reincarnation and karma is that rebirth can be due to the accumulated experiences of a lifetime, while karma usually just revolves within specific conditions and situations on earth. Karma may be immediate; rebirth is sometime in the future. Quite ordinary persons can be aware when their karma is catching up on them - be it good or bad karma, but how many persons can remember their past lives?. Very few, indeed.

Most people who know something about karma think it is a sort of punishment, a divine justice, "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" vigilante system. That is not all what karma is; as there is bad karma, so there is good karma. As a person sows bad deeds, so shall he reap bad karma, and if he sows good deeds, then he shall reap good deeds. It is really a very good system of check and balances, fair, and just.

If there is any law, rule, or code of conduct that must be understood, it ought to be karma. It affects everybody, at all times— whether or not the person has social dealings or lives as a hermit. Karma is the universal law, the moral order, and the "good book". It is the law which covers all races and all nations. It is the golden rule stated in a non-affirmative manner "Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you". There is no excuse for not expressing interest in it for it affects everybody, and more importantly, it can set the pace of human relationship in a society. Shakespeare was very well aware of this.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

- Hamlet

There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

- Julius Caesar

If we assume that Shakespeare was well versed in the current philosophies of his time which would have certainly been monotheistic and Christian in thought, what he was saying is that all the ideas of the great thinkers and philosophers taken together could not fathom the mystery of life and death. This may be taken to mean as death and rebirth, for in the second quotation above, he is surely writing about karma. If we try to read this in the light of eastern philosophy, it would mean that there are opportunities for everyone to change spiritually or morally and have better, meaningful lives. These opportunities may come unexpectedly and suddenly like a flood or they may come in a trickle or they may never arrive at all. The point is everybody has a chance, whether they just sit and wait or go out and beat the odds, the door is never closed to somebody who wants to change. If all the waters of opportunity is let passed and defeat and inactivity to source out new challenges follow, with no desire to improve one's moral being, bad karma may fall on the unfortunate person as a result. All the work and successes he might have accumulated will be lost and amount to nothing.

If there were no laws of karma that govern our lives, there would be treachery and disorder in the fabric of society. It will be only man-made laws and the rule of the mighty which will prevail; there will be no justice of any kind for the weak and the oppressed. If there were no karma and if the guilty was found innocent by the laws of the land, then there would not in any way be justice for the wronged and oppressed. If perpetrators of a crime die before their deeds are discovered, they will still have to pay their debts through karma and reincarnation.

Karma is not all bad because we can accumulate good karma. If we go out of our way to help others, some fortunate thing will also happen to us. It was advised by sages of old that in doing a good deed, we should not be thinking of the ends or rewards but do it anyway because it needs to be done and it is the proper thing to do. Our thoughts should be on the action, with a cheerful disposition, uncomplaining, with no outlook of rewards, and other means of self-gratification. This is one peculiarity that I have observed in eastern religions—they teach not to focus on the reward, not even to rejoice on the act of helping lest it be misunderstood that selfishness is the motivation of the person. The best reason I can see for this kind of perception is for body and mind to work harmoniously on the task being undertaken, thereby doing it well and correctly; unlike when the mind is divided by other distractions. Their perception might tend to be extreme but as my mother said, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well".

Not all persons are expected to go out of their way and start helping other people left and right; sometimes just by shunning bad karma, it is already a correct decision and action in itself. In fact, for most of us who are not yet ready to offer help, this course of action would be preferable to follow and a very good concept to start with. We don't need a blind man to lead another blind man.

Nor is karma vigilante justice. Sometimes karma is more than the original deed is worth, at other times it is less, and seldom is it nullified. If a man steals $100 and gets away with it in the eyes of the law of the land, he may still suffer the consequences as regards karma. It does not mean that he will lose $100 too, nor does it mean that he will get sick and will spent $100 worth of medicine to get well. The consequence may come singly or it may be added to his previous karma and come heavily when these are due. If too many previous aberrations have accumulated, the karma may come as a major blow, for example, he loses his job, or the second mortgage on his house is not approved. It can be through many other numerous things, and if it is his lucky day, that particular one karma may just be written off. But why take the risk? Nobody can foretell when the karma associated with a particular deed will come nor what it will be like. What is worse is both man-made justice and the law of karma can be inflicted on the same single offense. Having been forgiven by one does not mean automatic pardon from the other.

If a person has done some mischief and the wheel of karma has started rolling, can he do anything to stop it and atone for his sins? Well, there is no harm in trying by doing some favorable acts. In the example above, he can return the stolen $100 bill; if he has already spent it, he can do community work or other favorable service. The worse thing he can do is ask for forgiveness from God, because as explained earlier, God is so far up that He is incomprehensible and detached. It is so easy and so common specially in one group of religious fanatics to commit injustice at one minute and in the next minute say sorry and ask forgiveness from God. It is better not to start committing injustice in the first place. There are universal laws in which oppression, injustice, murder, and other heinous acts have to paid and atoned for; it would be so encouraging if after having committed all these, the perpetrator of the crime turns religious and be forgiven. That is precisely the reason why universal laws exist - to imprint on the subconscious of man that certain acts are wrong, thus protecting the human race from self-annihilation.

MODIFIED RELIGION
by Maitreya

V. THE LAW OF KARMA

MODIFIED RELIGION by Maitreya

V. THE LAW OF KARMA

MODIFIED RELIGION
by Maitreya