Sometimes called Law of Cause and Effect and or viewed as an effect or consequence of some previous deed or thought which is sometimes referred to (when negative or unwanted) as sin (in spiritual terms) or introductory impulse (in physical terms). [See Cause, Effect]
Karma can be instant or near instant in that every thought may lead to a choice which leads to a decision which leads to action which creates the effect or consequence. In other words thoughts and actions are the CAUSE which create the EFFECTS or consequences we experience as our life - on a day by day and even hour by hour basis. Therefore one ought to be careful of their thoughts, choices and actions. Positive thoughts, choices and actions lead to positive effects or consequences and vice versa. [See As a Man Thinketh]
Cause and Effect. That every material, mundane (knowable, observable) thing is a result of spiritual (virtual, invisible or scalar) causes. [See Scalar]
William Quan Judge
Karma is the Twin Doctrine of Reincarnation. Excerpt from William Q. Judge in “The Ocean of Theosophy”.
“Karma is an unfamiliar word for Western ears. It is the name adopted by Theosophists of the nineteenth century for one of the most important of the laws of nature. Ceaseless in its operation, it bears alike upon planets, systems of planets, races, nations, families, and individuals. It is the twin doctrine to reincarnation. So inextricably interlaced are these two laws that it is almost impossible to properly consider one apart from the other. No spot or being in the universe is exempt from the operation of Karma, but all are under its sway, punished for error by it yet beneficently led on, through discipline, rest, and reward, to the distant heights of perfection. It is a law so comprehensive in its sweep, embracing at once our physical and our moral being, that it is only by paraphrase and copious explanation one can convey its meaning in English. For that reason the Sanskrit term Karma was adopted to designate it. Applied to man’s moral life it is the law of ethical causation, justice, reward and punishment; the cause for birth and rebirth, yet equally the means for escape from incarnation. Viewed from another point it is merely effect flowing from cause, action and reaction, exact result for every thought and act. It is act and the result of act; for the word’s literal meaning is action. Theosophy views the Universe as an intelligent whole, hence every motion in the Universe is an action of that whole which themselves become causes for further results. Viewing it thus broadly, the ancient Hindus said that every being up to Brahma was under the rule of Karma.” [William Quan Judge, “The Ocean of Theosophy”, 1893, p.89]
Dialogue on Awakening
"Karma, I would like to say, is an excuse for continuing a pattern that you have become comfortable with. Most often that pattern is one which says that there is good and bad and that to experience the fullness of anything you must have experienced both aspects of it. This is only a choice. But if this is your choice, then that will be your pattern." Dialogue on Awakening
Cayce
"For what one sows that must one reap. This is unchangeable law. Know that this law may be turned into law of grace and mercy by the individual, through living and acting in their lives in relationships to others." [Cayce 5233-1]
"KARMA is rather the lack of living to that KNOWN to do! As ye would be forgiven, so forgive in others. THAT is the manner to meet karma." [Cayce 2271-1]
"Karma can be met in the ideal and, as a law, changed from law as penal law to grace, mercy. But this you show, this you manifest not by bragging, not applauding, but by daily living." [Cayce 5224-1]
"Like creates like. If you want friends, be friendly. If you want loving relationships, be loving. What YOU sow in your mind, in your activities, you must reap in your own life." [Cayce (1035-1)]
"Each entity is a part of the universal whole. All knowledge, all understanding that has been a part of the entity's consciousness, then, is a part of the entity's experience. Thus the unfoldment in the present is merely becoming aware of that experience through which the entity, either in body or in mind - has passed in a consciousness." [Cayce (2823-1)]
"In the application of self in the present ye will find disappointments in individuals; as ye caused disappointments in the minds, in the experience of others. For know, this is an immutable law - "As ye sow, so shall ye reap!" [Cayce 1754-1]
". . . those that find fault with others will find fault in themselves; for they are writing their own record - they must meet, every one, that which they have said about another; for so is the image, the soul of the Creator in each body, and when ye speak evil of or unkindly to thy brother, thou hast done it unto thy God." [Cayce (487-17)]
"Then know the author of thy ideals, not merely by words but study to show thyself approved. Find not fault with others. Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgement ye judge it will be measured to thee again. These are not merely words, they are not merely precepts, but they are the immutable laws as were the law of the Persians, as are the law of the Creative Force - God." [Cayce (3006-1)]
"Karma is, then, that that has been in the past builded as indifference to that known to be right. Taking chances, as it were - "Will do better tomorrow - this suits my purpose today - I'll do better tomorrow." [Cayce (257-78)]
"The entity made light of same (suffering in the Roman arena). Hence the entity sees suffering in self (paralysis) in the present, and must again make light of same - but for a different purpose." [Cayce (1215-4)]
"As ye mete to others, it comes back to thee. As ye would that others should do to thee, do ye even so to them." [Cayce (1688-9)]
"This may be a hard statement for many, but you will eventually come to know it is true: No fault, no hurt comes to self save that thou hast created in thine consciousness, in thine inner self, the cause. For only those that ye love may hurt you." [Cayce 262-83)]
"If the experiences are ever used for self-indulgence, self-aggrandizement, self-exaltation, each entity does so to its own undoing, or creates for self that as has been termed or called karma - and must be met. And in meeting every error, in meeting every trial, in meeting every temptation - whether these be mental or really physical experiences - the manner and purpose and approach to same should be ever in that attitude, "Not my will but Thine, O God, be done in and through me." [Cayce (1224-1)]
"For, know that each soul constantly meets its own self. No problem may be run away from. Meet it now!" [Cayce (1204-3)]
"But to know that ye spoke unkindly and suffered for it, and in the present may correct it by being righteous - that is worth while!" [Cayce (5753-2)]
"Every harsh word - every unkind thing, no matter what others have done, that an individual says about or of another individual, must be met by self. For, only self can actually defame self." [Cayce (257-12)]
"(Karmic conditions) can be met most in Him who, taking away the law of cause and effect by fulfilling the law, establishes the law of grace. Thus the needs for the entity to lean upon the arm of Him who is the law, and the truth and the light." [Cayce (2828-4)] [see Law of Love]
"In the beginning all souls were as a unity to the God-Force. As self added or subtracted that which was in keeping with God's purpose, ye added or subtracted from the blessings ye might be conscious of in materiality. Thus karma is builded. And the law is perfect - what ye sow, ye reap." [Cayce (3660-1)]
"Perfection is not possible in a material body until you have at least entered some thirty times . . ." [Cayce (2982-2)]
"...cause and effect to many are the same as karmic. Yet, karmic is that brought over, while cause and effect may exist in the one material experience only." [Cayce (2981-2)]
Group Karma
"The manner in which an individual, a community, a state or nation treats those less fortunate, those ill, those aged and infirm, those mentally possessed, is the manner in which such an individual, community, state or nation serves its Maker." [Cayce (3615-1)]
Take a look at reading 281-29. He relates the endocrine glands to our karma as well as our astrology. The in depth astrology material is about our interplanetary sojourns that we do in between lives that download at soul birth as our astrological influences.
RUDOLF STEINER
"In respect of karma, everything good, intelligent and true that has been done by a man stands on the credit side; evil or foolish deeds stand on the debit side.
At every moment he is free to make new entries in the karmic book of life.
It must never be imagined that life is under the sway of an immutable law of destiny; freedom is not impaired by the law of karma.
In studying the law of karma, therefore, the future must be borne in mind as strongly as the past.
Bearing within us the effects of past deeds, we are the slaves of the past, but the MASTERS OF THE FUTURE.
If we are to have a favourable future, we must make as many good entries as possible in the book of life.
It is a great and potent thought to know that nothing we do is in vain, that everything has its effect in the future.
The law of karma is the REVERSE of DEPRESSING; it fills us with SPLENDID HOPE and knowledge of it is the MOST PRECIOUS GIFT of Spiritual Science.
It brings HAPPINESS inasmuch as it opens out a vista into the future.
It charges us to be active for its sake; there is nothing in it whatever to make us sad, nothing which could give the world a pessimistic colouring; it lends wings to our will to co-operate in the evolution of the earth.
Such are the feelings into which knowledge of the law of karma must be translated.
When a human being is suffering, people sometimes say: “He deserves his suffering and must bear his karma; if I help him, I am interfering with his karma.”
This is nonsense.
His poverty, his misery is caused through his earlier life, but if I help him, new entries will be made in his book of life; my help brings him forward." [RUDOLF STEINER, 31 May 1907, Munich The Technique of Karma]
See Also
Belief
Cause
consequence
Creator
Effect
Error
God
Grace
samsara
Law of Karma
law of cause and effect
Law of Grace
Law of Love
Laws
Newton Laws of Motion
Religion
result
Self
Soul
Thought
Volition
Will
7.3 - Law of Love - Reciprocal Interchange of State on Multiple Subdivisions