As long as we
only judge the visible portion of things we will come to many wrong conclusions about
reality. Karma as a spiritual law must apply to the whole reality of man, not just to the
preconceptions or prejudices of the surface mind and emotions. From such an inner standpoint, the soul's happiness is often the
suffering of the ego and the happiness of the ego is often the suffering of the soul. In
this regard good fortune in life may be a sign of a strong ego, while suffering may occur
to us to awaken us to the truth behind the outer forms of things. More evolved souls may
choose more difficult incarnations, while less evolved souls may require comfort and ease.
It is like mountain climbers. The beginners must take only the easy slope, while the
experienced go after difficult inclines.
We also see that anyone who chooses the spiritual life is going against the outer order of
society. Hence it is usual for a spiritual aspirant to receive criticism or undergo
hardship from the outer world. |