Edgar Cayce on Karma
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According to Edgar Cayce, a 20th century American mystic, Karma is the meeting of oneself in the present through thoughts and deeds from the past. Karma is tied to the concept of reincarnation and balance.
Karma is neither a debt that must be paid according to some universal tally sheet, nor is it necessarily a set of specific circumstances that must be experienced because of deeds or misdeeds perpetrated in the past. Karma is simply a memory. It is a pool of information that the subconscious mind draws upon and can utilize in the present. It has elements that are positive as well as those which may seem negative.
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Health, Relationships, Abilities, Genius, Free Will, Opportunities
Sickness or afflictions have been attributed to misdeeds that an individual has performed in the past, as well as merits and fortunes to meritorious works. Sin and suffering are related through a universal system of cause and effect, called Karma. Karma is said to affect the quality of our relationships. For example, people who either love or hate each other tend to attract each other(See also Parabadha Karma). Karma dictates that an individual is responsible for both his current and future situation. Current abilities, talents and inclinations can be attributed to past development of these talents or involvement with the same(See also Sanchita Karma and Samsara). In this context, DNA and genes only give an individual the body he needs to perform his task on Earth, and do not determine his or her talents and abilities. In other words you can develop more talents and abilities as you experience the life that you are currently living. Karma, however, is not a rigid iron-cast system. For instance, accidents can occur outside the workings of karma and free will is a powerful factor in determining the course of our life. Getting hit by a car may in reality be accidental and not related to karmic influences at all. A person must also exercise his free will to determine his destiny despite the karmic factors he may currently be experiencing. Karma also dictates that opportunities are also increased, depending on how one utilises that talents and gifts he currently has. Therefore, ie we take advantage of what is already available to us, more will be given.
Although our subconscious memory has an effect and influence on how we think, react, what choices we make, and even how we look, the component of free will is ever within our grasp.
Attitudes and Consciousness
Karma pertains mostly to attitudes and consciousness. The Cayce readings did not indicate adverse karmic after-effects for policemen or soldiers who were compelled to maintain safety or were under orders, and had to execute people or employ violent methods in order to accomplish their goals. The readings, however, did indicate severe karmic penalties for jeering mobs during the Roman persecution of Christians, and in particular, a spectator who laughed when a lion ripped out the side of a Christian girl. Neither the spectator nor the mob did any actual physical harm, but it was the malicious intent that they were being held accountable for.
"It's My Karma"
One of the most distorted views of karma is the idea that nothing can be done about it, similar to the concept of destiny.
No matter how terrible the predicament, there is always something that can be done to resolve the situation, even if it's a patient smile and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Within adverse conditions often lie opportunity. The Chinese character for crisis '危機', as pointed out by the late J.F. Kennedy, is a combination of the characters of danger and opportunity, which means danger is an opportunity in disguise. The readings recommend taking advantage of what is made available to an individual, dangerous or meager as it may be, and better opportunities will come along once the karmic influences have been redirected. Karma is an educational process. It is important, therefore, that an individual learn whatever lessons are presented to him at the earliest opportunity, or harsher conditions will continue to prevail until he does.
Abilities according to Cayce Readings
One of the interesting aspects about karma in reincarnation is that talents and skills are never lost when a person completes an incarnation, according to the Cayce files. Someone who has developed an ability in one life will still have it to draw it upon later through karma. One may be born, for example, as a genius or prodigy, in math for example, if he develops this skill or has been of service now or having done so to a prodigious degree in the past or present.
Group Karma
Karma also operates at a group level. Groups include families, nations, and even businesses. The Cayce readings attribute the Spanish Civil War to the Andean genocide committed by the Spanish conquistadors to Latin America. It was implied that the combatants were the same conquistadors. Again, it must be said that Karma's purpose is not simply to cause suffering, but to give the individual an opportunity to experience every aspect of life. For instance, if a person has wronged someone in a past life, he will be given the opportunity to experience being wronged.
A core element of Karma is spiritual evolution. It is often said that experience is the best teacher. Certain experiences help to ingrain certain types of behaviour and patterns, such as thinking twice before committing anything wrong by instinct. Many karmic experiences demand simply learning how to behave in a good and proper fashion.
If a group is meant to learn lesson, individuals, whether they consciously know it or not, are imposed with the mission of revealing the lesson to the rest of his group. One particular reading was given for a child who was said to be very down to earth and practical and was born into a family of impractical idealists. The other siblings grew up to be members and leaders of volunteer and socialist groups. This child, however, grew up to be an engineer. There was neither great affinity nor antagonizements between the other members, but the child's character and that of the family were significantly different. When the children grew up, the engineer, however, was more concerned with social issues which could be attributed to the general temperament of the family. Likewise his other brothers and sisters where more down to earth, a trait that could have 'rubbed off' from their brother, the engineer.
Religion and Karma
A certain reading implies that knowledge about Karma (actually about all Cayce readings) is not needed if a person is well grounded in one's faith: 'Does it make one a better husband, a better businessman, a better neighbour, a better artist, a better churchman, if so cleave to it, if not reject it.' Despite teachings of one's faith, people still engage in revenge, bitterness, violence, etc. Karmically, wonderful things can happen if one follows the teaching 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' The Inquisition, the Inca genocide, Ku Klux Klan activities, etc. were executed in the name of religion, but are incompatible with the concept of a God of infinite love or brotherhood and incur severe Karmic retributions. It is a sad fact that people sometimes tend to use religion for personal gain. An understanding of Karma at this point clarifies that 'God is not mocked.'
Sources
- Many Mansions by Gina Cerminara
- There is a River by Thomas Sugrue
See also
- About site on Edgar Cayce and Karma (http://healing.about.com/od/caycekarma/)
- Cayce, a Buddhist saint, NDEs and others (http://www.ycsi.net/users/reversespins/karma.html)
- How to deal with Karma from Hinduism Archives (http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2002/10-12/40-50_karma_management.shtml)