Karma - 3

Karma is of three sorts: First -- that which has not begun to produce any effect in our lives owing to the operation on us of some other karmic causes.

That person who has a wide and deep-reaching character and much force will feel the operation of a greater quantity of karma than a weaker person.

'Second -- that karma which we are now making or storing up by our thoughts and acts, and which will operate in the future when the appropriate body, mind, and environment are taken up by the incarnating Ego in some other life, or whenever obstructive karma is removed. . . .

'Third -- that karma which has begun to produce results.

It is the operating now in this life on us of causes set up in previous lives in company with other Egos.

And it is in operation because, being most adapted to the family stock, the individual body, astral body, and race tendencies of the present incarnation, it exhibits itself plainly, while other unexpended karma awaits its regular turn.

'These three classes of karma govern men, animals, worlds, and periods of evolution. . . . Karmic causes operate upon man in his mental and intellectual nature, in his psychical or soul nature, and in his body and circumstances. . . .

And just as all these phases of the law of karma have sway over the individual man, so they similarly operate upon races, nations, and families. . . .

'With reincarnation the doctrine of karma explains the misery and suffering of the world, and no room is left to accuse Nature of injustice. . . .

Individual unhappiness in any life is thus explained: (a) It is punishment for evil done in past lives; or (b) it is discipline taken up by the Ego for the purpose of eliminating defects or acquiring fortitude and sympathy. . . .

Happiness is explained in the same way: the result of prior lives of goodness.

'The scientific and self-compelling basis for right ethics is found in these and in no other doctrines.' (Ocean 100-9)