KARMA
A Study in Karma
by
Annie Besant
Published in 1917
Causation
The idea of causation has been challenged in modern
times, Huxley, for instance, contending, in the Contemporary Review, that we
only knew sequence, not causation; he said that if a ball moved after it was
hit by a bat, you should not say that the blow of the bat caused the movement,
but only that it was followed by the movement. This extreme scepticism came out
strongly in some of the great men of the nineteenth century, a reaction from
the ready credulity and many unproved assumptions of the Middle Ages. The
reaction had its use, but is now gradually passing away, as extremes ever do.
The idea of causation arises naturally in the human
mind, though unprovable by the senses; when a phenomenon has been invariably
followed by another phenomenon for long periods of time, the two become linked
together in our minds, and when
one appears, the mind, by association of ideas,
expects the second; thus the fact that night has been followed by day from time
immemorial gives us a firm conviction that the sun will rise tomorrow as on
countless yesterdays.
Succession alone, however, does not necessarily imply
causation; we do not regard day as the cause of night, nor night as the cause
of day, because they invariably succeed each other. To assert causation, we
need more than invariable succession; we need that the reason shall see that
which the senses are unable
to discern – a relation between the two things which
brings about the appearance of the second when the first appears. The succession
of day and night is not caused by either; both are caused by the relation of
the earth to the sun; that relation is a true cause, recognised as such by the
reason, and as long as the
relation exists unchanged, day and night will be its
effect. In order to see one thing as the cause of another, the reason must
establish a relation between them which is sufficient for the production of one
by the other; then, and then only, can we rightly assert causation. The links
between phenomena that are never broken, and that are recognised by the reason
as an active relation, bringing into manifestation the second phenomenon
whenever the first is manifested, we call causation.
They are the shadows of inter-relations existing in
the Eternal,
outside space and time, and they extend over the life
of a universe, wherever the conditions exist for their manifestation. Causation
is an expression of the nature of the LOGOS, an Emanation of the eternal
Reality; wherever there is
interrelation in the Eternal which demands succession
for its manifestation in time, there is causation.
______________________
KARMA
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Preface
Theosophy and the Masters General Principles
The Earth Chain Body and Astral Body Kama – Desire
Manas Of Reincarnation Reincarnation Continued
Karma Kama Loka
Devachan
Cycles
Arguments Supporting Reincarnation
Differentiation Of Species Missing Links
Psychic Laws, Forces, and Phenomena
Psychic Phenomena and Spiritualism
Quick Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info
What is Theosophy ? Theosophy Defined (More Detail)
Three Fundamental Propositions Key Concepts of Theosophy
Cosmogenesis Anthropogenesis Root Races
Ascended Masters After Death States
The Seven Principles of Man Karma
Reincarnation Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott William Quan Judge
The Start of the Theosophical
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History of the Theosophical
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Theosophical Society Presidents
History of the Theosophical
Society in Wales
The Three Objectives of the
Theosophical Society
Explanation of the Theosophical
Society Emblem
The Theosophical Order of
Service (TOS)
Glossaries of Theosophical Terms
by
Annie Besant
THE BUDDHIC AND
NIRVANIC PLANES
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Annie Besant Visits Cardiff 1924
An Outstanding
Introduction to Theosophy
By a student of
Katherine Tingley
Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man? Body and Soul
Body, Soul and Spirit Reincarnation Karma
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