KARMA
A Study in
Karma
by
Annie Besant
Published in
1917
Out of the Past
Another point
of great importance to remember is that the karma of the past is of very mixed character;
we have not to breast a single current, the totality of the past, but a stream
made up of currents running in various directions, some
opposing us,
some helping us; the effective force we have to face, the resultant left when
all these opposition have neutralized each other, may be one which it is by no
means beyond our present power to overcome.
Face to face
with a piece of evil karma from the past, we should ever grapple with it,
striving to overcome it, remembering that it embodies only a part of our past,
and that other parts of that same past are with us, strengthening and
invigorating us for
the contest.
The present effort, added to those forces from the past, may be, often is, just
enough to overcome the opposition.
Or, again, an
opportunity presents itself, and we hesitate to take advantage of it, fearing
that our resources are inadequate to discharge the responsibilities it brings;
but it would not be there unless our karma had brought it to us, the fruit of a
past desire; let us seize it, bravely and tenaciously, and we shall find that
the very effort has awakened latent powers slumbering within us,
unknown to
us, and needing a stimulus from outside to arouse them into activity.
So many of
our powers, created by effort in the past, are on the verge of expression, and
only need opportunity to flower into action. We should always aim at a little
more than we think we can do – not at a thing wholly beyond our present powers,
but at that which seems to be just out of reach. As we work to achieve it, all
the karmic force acquired in the past comes to our aid to strengthen us. The
fact that we can nearly do a thing means that
we have
worked for it in the past, and the accumulated strength of those past efforts
is within us. That we can do a little means the power of doing more; and even
if we fail, the power put forth to the utmost passes into the reservoir of our
forces, and the failure of today means the victory of tomorrow
When
circumstances are adverse, the same thing holds good; we may have reached the
point where one more effort means success. Therefore did Bhishma counsel effort
under all conditions, and utter the encouraging phrase; "Exertion is
greater than
destiny." The result of many past exertions is embodied in our karma, and
the present exertion added to them may make our force adequate for the
achievement of our aim.
There are
cases where the force of the karma of the past is so strong that no effort of
the present can suffice to overbear it. Yet should effort be made, since few
know when one of these cases is upon them, and, at the worst, the effort made
diminishes that karmic force for the future. A chemist often labours for years
to discover a force, or an arrangement of matter, which will enable
him to
achieve a result at which he is aiming. He is often
thwarted, but
he does not acknowledge himself defeated. He cannot change the chemical
elements; he cannot change the laws of chemical combination; he accepts these
ungrudgingly,
and there
lies "the sublime patience of the investigator". But the knowledge of
the investigator, ever increasing by virtue of his patient experiments, at last
touches the point where it enables him to bring about the desired result.
Precisely the
same spirit should be acquired by the student of karma; he should accept the
inevitable without complaint, but untiredly seek the methods whereby his aim
may be secured, sure that his only limitation is his ignorance, and that
perfect knowledge must mean perfect power.
______________________
KARMA
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Preface
Theosophy and the Masters General Principles
The Earth Chain Body and Astral Body Kama – Desire
Manas Of Reincarnation Reincarnation Continued
Karma Kama Loka
Devachan
Cycles
Arguments Supporting Reincarnation
Differentiation Of Species Missing Links
Psychic Laws, Forces, and Phenomena
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What is Theosophy ? Theosophy Defined (More Detail)
Three Fundamental Propositions Key Concepts of Theosophy
Cosmogenesis
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The Seven Principles of Man Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott William Quan Judge
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Glossaries of Theosophical Terms
An Outstanding
Introduction to Theosophy
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Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man? Body and Soul
Body, Soul and Spirit Reincarnation Karma
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