Karma is at work in every area of human endeavour. In his book Wisdom of the Mystic Masters, Joseph J. Weed observed the following expressions of cause and effect in the workings of karmic law:
aspirations and desires become abilities;
repeated thoughts become tendencies;
will to performance becomes action
painful experiences become conscience;
repeated experiences lead to wisdom.
The trouble with karma is that it can obscure the soul's higher purpose even as its snakes and ladders provide the means for attainment of that purpose. The karmic cacophony that accompanies all personal striving and human interaction frequently drowns the background theme in our lives - the soul's inner struggle to know itself more clearly. To draw upon yet another metaphor, it is as though we are all driving automobiles along the grand highway of evolution only to have the destination obscured by the constant obstructions of karmic traffic jams. In the life between life, knowledge of higher purpose is always at hand. The earthly expression of the quest for the fulfillment of destiny, however, is awakened progressively in "soul searching" that appears to advance through five distinct stages that may span many lifetimes. These stages are:
Materialism: The search for physical well-being, a state dominated by sensual craving. There is very little consideration for the feelings of others and philosophical goals are nonexistent. There is no recognition of an afterlife or a supreme power of any kind.
Superstition: The first awareness that there are forces and entities greater than oneself. Practically nothing is known about this omniscient power; there is solely the appreciation that something is out there which cannot be controlled except, perhaps, by amulets and rituals. A materialistic lifestyle continues to prevail.
Fundamentalism: The practice of simple, superstitious, and rigid thinking about God or the Almighty. Such thinking becomes the rationale for living. There is belief that prayer, adherence to ritual, and the practice of certain attitudes and behaviour will guarantee the supreme reward - a place in heaven or the afterlife. A leader is usually required to intercede with the all-powerful God, who must be appeased. It matters little whether the leader is a guru who wears a turban or is called Jesus Christ; someone is needed to harness, direct and expound upon basic conviction.
Philosophy: Early awakening to the awareness of self-responsibility. Religious conviction is maintained, but there is an appreciation that reliance on dogma will not suffice. This stage is marked by respect for life, tolerance of the beliefs of others, and an understanding of the deeper teachings of the orthodox religions.
Persecution: The prevalence of inner tension and anguish which springs from the intense desire to understand the hidden meaning of life. Awareness that there is a profound meaning and purpose to existence is frought with uncertainty as to how such knowledge can be attained. The search for answers frequently takes the form of extensive reading, study, and membership in various mystical and metaphysical groups. The title of this state is taken from Christ's Sermon on the Mount and the phrase "Blessed are the persecuted" (Matthew 5:10).
When these neophite stages have been successfully completed, the individual steps firmly into a path of evolution. Evolution can be likened to a huge mountain criss-crossed with trails, some more travelled than others.
These diverse paths may lead up the Eastern side through meditation and transcendent contemplation, or they may climb the Western face through mysticism and intellectual metaphysics.
Extract from Life Between Life, Joel L. Whitton and Joe Fisher, 1986, Warner Books, p. 81-83.
