In Lesson 6 there is a practice added where the reader reaches out to the Mahanta for private instruction on the inner planes. I sat in contemplation this morning, after chanting HU and there came the words of the Mahanta. I hadn’t noticed but my vision kept drifting to a stack of books in my room. A book from a different tradition was in the stack and the words kept staring at me. While I was looking at the book the Mahanta was asking me and prompting me to answer a question on what use is the world? It’s my question, but I was asked to answer it. The words in that title hit me and it clicked: The imperfect world of the physical universe (and the lower realms), are here to help us BE and BECOME. Become what? Become perfected back into the Oneness of the ECK or Holy Spirit.

This world is where karma is worked out. Attempting to transform the world into perfection is futile, as it would negate the purpose of it. It’s a fine line I walk writing these words. I dare not say that we shouldn’t assist or help others, for that is the calling and the requirement to improve our own nature; BUT it is not for the purpose of worldly improvement.

Example: Karma and the Astral

Yesterday, I lost my cool with someone I know. A long time friend. I was so upset with them, I used my words to injure them psychologically. I hurt their feelings. My lashing out was a reflection of their lashing out. Our karma played out in that very moment, but I could have done better. I could have swallowed my pride and humbly offered an embrace, rather than a choice of harsh criticism with a sharp tongue.

Later on I appologized to this friend of mine, but my action still was there. The karmic imprint was there. As I went to bed, I tuned out the surroundings and imagined a world where this karma would be ripened. The world rolled out before me, as I slipped into an astral realm. It started as a self constructed environment but then as I slipped under, it become a place of it’s own making.

I found myself in a red hued land. Cruel captors pushed me, and those chained to me, forward. Violence was given, but in return I only provided forgiveness and compassion. Beaten, and bruised, I wavered not. I didn’t look to return evil for evil, blow for blow. Instead I adopted the heart of love and compassion.

As I slipped deeper, I lost the memory. All I can attest to is waking into a panic. Whatever occurred had finally ejected me in some sort of violence that my mind could not recall.

The point of all this, is to say, I couldn’t erase the karma of my conversation by simply going to the day spa. One doesn’t sharpen a sword by leaving it in a field of flowers. Sharpening and correction requires force and heat. This world is the furnace of the proverbial smith. We are put into the heat, the ice bath, and hammered to perfection.

Our actions return to us, not in a bed of roses, but in the places of pain and suffering.

The Buddhists were right, this world is a world of suffering. Yet it has a purpose. Without the world, the way it is, we couldn’t work out karma.