"Sometimes I Think I Will, Then again I Think I Won't" A Metaphor of Cause and Effect
Posted: Thursday, July 08, 2010
by Ella Camp
Since about the middle of the last century, we have become increasingly accustomed to the nascent idea of spiritual ascendency; and therefore more cognizant of the fact that we are the pilots of our own spiritual and physical destinies.
We bring with us into this world, remnants, fragments and vestiges of our other lifetimes, and knit them together with the threads of this lifetime's experiences. The "whole cloth" we create will, in time, begin to reveal the pattern of our individual karma, as well as our physical and spiritual destinies. Although we term karma more often as "bad," not all karma comes in that shade; there are also shades of "good" karma- thoughts and actions in another lifetime which engendered rewards in this one. Punishment is not the objective of karma; but rather, lessons, designed to teach us the realization of the spiritual consequences of our former actions, by our experience of the detrimental effects. "Whatsoever a man shall sow, that shall he also reap." Only in the earthly plain of their commission can they be dispatched in like terms. No one arrives on earth wearing all black or all white karma- we rather all come wearing a coat of many colors, shades and hues. As we cut the pattern of our life from this congenital legacy we've fallen heir to, we begin to realize the distinctive blueprint of our karma. Making changes, improvement and mends to the composition of this pattern, with observant and mindful vigilance of the autonomous responses of our soul, we may insure a designer life raiment, valued for its cloth of gold transparency through which the purity and light of our newly cleansed soul may shine.
Thus the ignition of this miraculous partnership is begun. Bound together in this life form, each of these partners, if you will, brings to the table its own intrinsic, incarnate characteristics and qualities, inherited from their spiritual and physical genes; producing the entity of the human being. The effects of this cause are visible using our five physical senses and our spiritual sixth sense. Emerging from divergent dimensions, which are nonetheless parallel, these two partners, joined together in birth, must endeavor to work in tandem toward the goal of a whole human being as close to the perfection of God as is humanly possible. In this mighty struggle, help and aid is necessary, which we will seek at our own level of understanding.
This is a process of balance between our physical and spiritual partners that cannot, due to its capacious and complex nature, be accomplished in one short session; a session which is guarded and inhibited by the sentinels of time on earth; it is a sequentially graduating process carried by eternity throughout the universe. Viewed from this perspective, we may glimpse the realization that earth is not in the higher echelons of this plan. The road ahead seems endless, perhaps it is- it is not in the end, but in the becoming that we live.
It somehow seems easier to accept responsibility for the foibles and sins of our spiritual self, than to accept it for the condition of our physical bodies, which we feel were foisted off on us by a perhaps unkind inheritance genie. But were they? Just as our soul designs our karmic lessons, it also may design the body needed for the impetus of these lessons. We may metaphorically compare this occurrence to the similarity of obtaining a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
The body may be cast as a prescription to effect a correction needed by the soul; it may be as individually coordinated to the souls needs as lenses are to the correction of individual eyes.
Our karma, and therefore our life's work, is particularly shaped by the unique and distinctive choices we've made in former incarnations, and now make in this one; it is demonstrated by cause and effect, and we indeed create it ourselves.
The eventual goal we strive toward in each lifetime is to bring about a complete unifying merger of body and soul. Meshing the two interconnecting parts of ourselves into the requisite adaptation of this authenticity is an enormous, seemingly unconquerable task, but nevertheless a fundamental imperative- the nexus of our life's work, and our raison d'tre on earth.
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More commentsunifying meger, well defined. i appreciate your candid writing style. thank youAnd thank you for your interest and kind comment.- Always- Ella
I've reduced my personal situation to this: Somewhere in my distant past is one angry, powerful, and vengeful Welsh witch who cursed all the Vaughan males. About a year ago I declared myself Switzerland between the eternal conflict between the alleged dualites of so-called good and evil. To my pleasant surprise and joy, my entire life has gone much better. Perhaps I was right in making them agree that there's absolutely nothing about worth fighting over. Excellent piece, Ella, as always. (Sorry for the absence. Very busy setting up a couple new websites and one in particular for my book.) Talk to you soon.Hi Randy- I did wonder where you had got to- Don't stay away so long next time- And where might I lay my hands or eyes on this book of yours? Oh- and thank you so very much for reading my article and making a comment- I sincerely appreciate it!- Always- EllaOh, got myself busy setting up a couple of blogs, one strictly for work-stuff (so I don't spread the obsession all over the internet!) and another for, well, just stuff (you'd probably like the "just stuff" one) ...as for the book?...you can read my first, only, and last attempt at a "sales pitch" at the new website i set up. All the links for buying are at the bottom and there's even one in case you'd like to have an autographed copy. No worries if you decide this isn't to your liking, okay? Talk to you soon...I'll email you the links....Great! I'll be looking for them- Thanks- Always- Ella
Very interesting and thought provoking piece Ella. The line I liked best though was in one of your comments. "I believe we were created to live life, not to escape it." Perfect!I'm so thankful for your loyality and appreciation of my writings- Hugs- Always- EllaElla, I rated your article a five start and just now noticed as I was reading your reply, that it shows up 2 and a bit. Just wanted to let you know, don't know why that happened. - Brianna-Okay Bri- Hey- where are you seeing those ratings? they don't show up on my screen- wonder why?
very deep article, were you a philosopher in a different life time. Way to go.Thank you Petah- funny you should ask...
This is a great article about spirituality and karma. I liked it, it takes a while to understand it, though, at least for me. Some people who don't have a complete mastrey of the English language might lose patience with the writing style.I thank you so much Angie- I'm so glad you didn't lose interest with my writing style- Please do come again- Always- Ella
Hi Ella,Very interesting piece. I do appreciate and admire how you write with a smooth and directed purpose.I value our friendship and differences. But when I hear God together with karma and reincarnation, it sends a shiver up my spine and it is hard for me to remain silent s :-)I think the first thing is our concept of "God" as individuals and where it is we base our beliefs. I know you have stated many times that you do not believe the Bible to be the word of God (the Creator), but I don't recall ever knowing why it is you believe in reincarnation.I do agree with much of what you say in that our experiences can shape our behaviors, good or bad, but I can't help but put my two cents in that as created individuals of God, each of us have one soul and one body. The recycling of souls is a nice idea, but how do you think it possible?God says we are appointed to die once and then judgment - this judgement being based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ - according the word of God ( in my opinion based on ample proof that the Bible is accurate.) Not that we get to do it all over again as someone else. I guess I am just wondering where you get your information :-) and I am only asking because this piece reads like a matter of fact, rather than a matter of opinion.Again, kudos for a well-written piece.Blessings to you! Teresa
Hi Teresa- I do thank you so much for reading and commenting on this article, I do highly respect your opinions.The questions you ask should rightly and fairly be given more space and time than is available in this comment/response forum, so in the interest of this lack, I'll try to keep it short and to the point.As you may have noticed, I quote the Bible in many instances where I deem it necessary in my quest for understanding; that's because I think it is one of the best books ever written, regardless of its complexity and contradictions. But, you see, God never told me that he wrote that book, other people told me that. I'm quite aware of the vast differences of opinion on thie subject of God and humanity throughout the world. This diversity causes controversey, not only amongst individuals, but, as we know, also amongst nations. The bottom line to all these opinions is that we all believe there is a God- that God exists. Where I get my information is, in a nutshell, by long and indepth study of religions, and observation of life- the beliefs and consequences of those beliefs throughout history. If our human history is observed closely and diversely enough, a pattern will emerge- a pattern that, to me, reveals the truth. If this, or anything else I write seems to read like facts, that is because they contain the facts of my conclusions,the truth as I see it, which I assure you were not arrived at either quickly nor frivolously, but by long and painstaking process of thought and study. That's the beauty of SW and other sites like it- we all have the freedom to write our own opinions and conclusions, which can be vastly different, and yet tolerated under the same roof.It's what our country stands for, and why there are so many diverse religions which are allowed to be expressed here- we have the freedom to choose. I do go on sometimes once I get started-LOL- Anyway- Thanks again Teresa, and please come again. Always- EllaHi Ella,Thank you so much for your kind response and for understanding the heart in which I ask this question. I agree and love SW for this same reason. I was not asking to tear apart or mock, but only to understand where your point of view comes from. This helps me with reading and commenting to articles in respect to the writer's opinion and beliefs and not my own. LOL - I am the same, once I get going its tough to shut me up :-) Although when it comes to the Bible, if someone is quoting it, or claiming to follow it, but then goes against it, then I speak up - nicely of course :-)Hugs and love, TeresaThank you Teresa, for responding in such a reasonable, fair and rationable manner; It confirms my belief in you as being the kind of person I always thought you were.What concerns me is your idea that I "go against the the Bible" To me, the Bible is like a huge smorgasbord of wisdom and knowledge- everyone who reads it comes away with their own understanding of it. When I quote the Bible, it's usually to demonstrate how a particular verse equates with what I'm saying.I use quotes from that particular book because of the validity that is lent to it in our society. If I was writing in another country or region of the world, I may quote from whatever book or text is viewed to have the most validity there. Most of my studies center on humanity as a whole- when I study religion, it is to explore how it seems to have affected humanity at any given time in human history.It seems to me that all religions mean different things to the individuals who adhere to them- hence the continuing controvercy. It was good talking to you- I enjoy it- Thanks - Always- EllaHi Ella - I love it when people with differing ideas can actually converse instead of treat badly or call one another morons and worse. So glad we have that :-)What I mean by "go against it" is this: The Bible has very specific instructions for living the Christian life and what God calls sin etc.. So for example, if someone says I am a Christian, I believe Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I follow God and his commands - and then they turn around and practice a full lifestyle of, and say that its not wrong, then I speak up, because you can't say you follow God and his ways and then live contrary - this sets the wrong example to others and also it goes against what Jesus specifically said in that - it is better to tie a rock around your neck and sink to the bottom then to stumble another who is trying to follow Christ. Not that he means that litterally, but what he is saying is don't talk the talk if you don't walk the walk. Does this make sense? I do understand what you are saying, in how you use the Bible - I have no problems with that because of the context in which you quote it. I am referring to those who call themselves Christians in the Biblical sense. I hope this helps :-)It is great talking to you as well. Have a great day! And I am so glad my actions matched your thoughts of me - Just as I believed yours would match mine of you :-)Teresa- I do hope that you don't have me mixed up with someone else- I'm pretty sure I have never stated that I follow or any religious doctrines or church. I wouldn't, because I don't. I don't think it's necessary to belong to any sect or organization in order to be able to read the book of the Bible. I've read Hindu and Buddhist, and all other religious writings in studying different religions,there is a lot of wisdom in those books, just as there is in the Bible, and at times I quote them. but neither do I "belong' to their religion.I think the Bible, and all other books, are free to be read and quoted by anyone if the quote is appropriate to the text and meaning. I don't wear any religious label at all. I know God, talk to him all the time, I know he hears me, and I hear him. I know who Jesus was, why he came here, what he did and why he did it. I don't feel I need a label in order to know this. I know it because I'm a human being.I write this because I really respect you, and feel that you are a wonderful person. I don't like to think of you laboring under any misconceptions concerning me. I have enjoyed this conversation- I hope it cleared things up a bit. Thank you- Always- Ella
ella, i think i get it..i think. it might just be too deep for this ol country boy. for me to elaborate further might just expose my ignorance on the matter-keep it up though.Bing, I wish you would stop denigrating your intelligence, it doesn't deserve that. Really, the best way to understand anything about the human being and human nature, is to look inside your own self. Thank you so much for reading and commenting- Come back soon- you're always welcome- Always - Ella
Simply amazing work as usual. I would take exception to the comment that "we all believe there is a God - that God exists", because we all do not. However, with all the incredible, and I do go so far as to say teaching, by some of the authors on this article directory, it certainly makes we wonder if you all are not getting your information from some other higher power or entity with much greater knowledge than that of this world.
I shall continue to read and absorb as much of this knowledge as I possibly can regardless of where the info is coming from, because wherever it is coming from, I know it is coming from a loving place, and in my estimation that is the most wonderful place of all., and you certainly are at the top of my readers list. Thank you for sharing.Hello David- so glad to see you again.In the statement you took exception to, I was referring to the basic fact shared by the different religions on earth. What I mainly tried to stress was freedom- the freedom to think- express and believe whatever we want to- here on SW and in our country.I take exception to anyone or anything that attempts to take even a fraction of my freedom from me. I have a feeling you feel the same way about our freedom- Thank you so much for showing an interest in my writing- I appreciate it more than you could know- Please come back again- Always- Ella
I knew I was missing something in the translation - thanks for expounding.
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