The Laws of Karma and Forgiveness

Man receives only that which he gives. The Game of Life is a game of boomerangs. Man’s thoughts, deeds and words, return to him sooner or later, with astounding accuracy.

People receive only what they give. The Game of Life is a game of boomerangs. People’s thoughts, actions, and words return to them sooner or later, with astonishing accuracy.

This is the law of Karma, which is Sanskrit for “Comeback.” “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

This is the law of Karma, which is Sanskrit for “Comeback.” “Whatever a person sows, they will also reap.”

For example: A friend told me this story of herself, illustrating the law. She said, “I make all my Karma on my aunt, whatever I say to her, some one says to me. I am often irritable at home, and one day, said to my aunt, who was talking to me during dinner. ‘No more talk, I wish to eat in peace.’”

For example, a friend told me this story about herself to illustrate the law. She said, “I make all my Karma with my aunt. Whatever I say to her, someone says to me. I’m often irritable at home. One day, my aunt was talking to me during dinner, and I said to her, ‘No more talking, I want to eat in peace.’”

“The following day, I was lunching with a woman with whom I wished to make a great impression. I was talking animatedly, when she said: ‘No more talk, I wish to eat in peace!’”

“The next day, I had lunch with a woman I wanted to impress. I was talking enthusiastically when she said: ‘No more talking, I want to eat in peace!’”

My friend is high in consciousness, so her Karma returns much more quickly than to one on the mental plane.

My friend has a high level of consciousness, so her Karma returns much faster than it does for someone on the mental plane.

The more man knows, the more he is responsible for, and a person with a knowledge of Spiritual Law, which he does not practice, suffers greatly, in consequence. “The fear of the Lord (law) is the beginning of wisdom.” If we read the word Lord, law, it will make many passages in the Bible much clearer.

The more a person knows, the more they are responsible for. A person who knows Spiritual Law but does not practice it suffers greatly as a result. “The fear of the Lord (law) is the beginning of wisdom.” If we read the word Lord as law, many passages in the Bible will become much clearer.

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (law). It is the law which takes vengeance, not God. God sees man perfect, “created in his own image,” (imagination) and given “power and dominion.”

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (law). The law takes vengeance, not God. God sees man as perfect, “created in his own image” (imagination) and given “power and dominion.”

This is the perfect idea of man, registered in Divine Mind, awaiting man’s recognition; for man can only be what he sees himself to be, and only attain what he sees himself attaining.

This is the perfect idea of man, held in Divine Mind, waiting for man to recognize it. For man can only be what he sees himself being and only achieve what he sees himself achieving.

“Nothing ever happens without an on-looker” is an ancient saying.

“Nothing ever happens without someone watching” is an old saying.

Man sees first his failure or success, his joy or sorrow, before it swings into visibility from the scenes set in his own imagination. We have observed this in the mother picturing disease for her child, or a woman seeing success for her husband.

People first see failure or success, joy or sorrow, in their imagination. Only afterward do these imagined scenes become visible in their lives. We have seen this in a mother imagining her child becoming ill, or a woman seeing success for her husband.

Jesus Christ said, “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus Christ said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

So, we see freedom (from all unhappy conditions) comes through knowledge—a knowledge of Spiritual Law.

So, we see that freedom from all unhappy conditions comes from knowing Spiritual Law.

Obedience precedes authority, and the law obeys man when he obeys the law. The law of electricity must be obeyed before it becomes man’s servant. When handled ignorantly, it becomes man’s deadly foe. So with the laws of Mind!

Obedience comes before authority. The law obeys people when they obey the law. People must obey the law of electricity before electricity becomes their servant. When handled without understanding, electricity becomes their deadly enemy. The same is true of the laws of Mind!

For example: A woman with a strong personal will, wished she owned a house which belonged to an acquaintance, and she often made mental pictures of herself living in the house. In the course of time, the man died and she moved into the house. Several years afterwards, coming into the knowledge of Spiritual Law, she said to me: “Do you think I had anything to do with that man’s death?” I replied: “Yes, your desire was so strong, everything made way for it, but you paid your Karmic debt. Your husband, whom you loved devotedly, died soon after, and the house was a white elephant on your hands for years.”

For example: A strong-willed woman wanted to own a house that belonged to an acquaintance. She often pictured herself living there. Eventually, the man died, and she moved into the house. Several years later, after learning about Spiritual Law, she said to me: “Do you think I had anything to do with that man’s death?” I replied: “Yes, your desire was so strong that everything made way for it, but you paid your Karmic debt. Your husband, whom you loved deeply, died soon afterward, and the house was a burden for years.”

The original owner, however, could not have been affected by her thoughts had he been positive in the truth, nor her husband, but they were both under Karmic law. The woman should have said (feeling the great desire for the house), “Infinite Intelligence, give me the right house, equally as charming as this, the house which is mine by divine right.”

However, neither the original owner nor her husband could have been affected by her thoughts if they had been positive in the truth. But both were under Karmic law. Feeling a great desire for the house, the woman should have said, “Infinite Intelligence, give me the right house, one equally charming, the house which is mine by divine right.”

The divine selection would have given perfect satisfaction and brought good to all. The divine pattern is the only safe pattern to work by.

The divine choice would have fully satisfied everyone and brought good to all. The divine pattern is the only safe pattern to follow.

Desire is a tremendous force, and must be directed in the right channels; or chaos ensues.

Desire is a powerful force. It must be directed into the right channels, or chaos follows.

In demonstrating, the most important step is the first step, to “ask aright.”

In demonstrating, the most important step is the first step, to “ask correctly.”

Man should always demand only that which is his by divine right.

A person should always demand only what is theirs by divine right.

To go back to the illustration: Had the woman taken this attitude: “If this house, I desire, is mine, I cannot lose it, if it is not, give me its equivalent,” the man might have decided to move out, harmoniously (had it been the divine selection for her) or another house would have been substituted. Anything forced into manifestation through personal will, is always “ill-got,” and has “ever bad success.”

To return to the example, the woman could have taken this attitude: “If this house I desire is mine, I cannot lose it. If it is not, give me its equivalent.” Then the man might have decided to move out peacefully, if the house had been the divine choice for her. Otherwise, another house would have been provided in its place. Anything brought into being by force of personal will is always “ill-gotten” and “never brings good results.”

Man is admonished, “My will be done not thine, and the curious thing is, man always gets just what he desires when he does relinquish personal will, thereby enabling Infinite Intelligence to work through him.”

Man is told, “Let my will be done, not yours. The curious thing is that man always gets exactly what he desires when he gives up his personal will. By doing so, he allows Infinite Intelligence to work through him.

“Stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord” (law).

“Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (law).

For example: A woman came to me in great distress. Her daughter had determined to take a very hazardous trip, and the mother was filled with fear.

For example: A woman came to me in great distress. Her daughter had decided to take a very dangerous trip, and the mother was afraid.

She said she had used every argument, had pointed out the dangers to be encountered, and forbidden her to go, but the daughter became more and more rebellious and determined. I said to the mother, “You are forcing your personal will upon your daughter, which you have no right to do, and your fear of the trip is only attracting it, for man attracts what he fears.” I added, “Let go, and take your mental hands off; put it in God’s Hands, and use this statement:” “I put this situation in the hands of Infinite Love and Wisdom; if this trip is the Divine plan, I bless it and no longer resist, but if it is not divinely planned, I give thanks that it is now dissolved and dissipated.” A day or two after that, her daughter said to her, “Mother, I have given up the trip,” and the situation returned to its “native nothingness.”

She said she had tried every argument, pointed out the dangers her daughter might face, and forbidden her to go. But her daughter became more and more rebellious and determined. I said to the mother, “You are forcing your will on your daughter, and you have no right to do that. Your fear of the trip is only attracting it, because people attract what they fear.” I added, “Let go and take your mental hands off. Put it in God’s hands, and use this statement:” “I put this situation in the hands of Infinite Love and Wisdom. If this trip is the Divine plan, I bless it and no longer resist. But if it is not divinely planned, I give thanks that it is now dissolved and dissipated.” A day or two later, her daughter said to her, “Mother, I have given up the trip,” and the situation returned to its “native nothingness.”

It is learning to “stand still,” which seems so difficult for man. I have dealt more fully with this law in the chapter on nonresistance.

It means learning to “stand still,” which seems so difficult for people. I discuss this law more fully in the chapter on nonresistance.

I will give another example of sowing and reaping, which came in the most curious way.

I will share another example of sowing and reaping that came about in a very curious way.

A woman came to me saying, she had received a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill, given to her at the bank. She was much disturbed, for, she said, “The people at the bank will never acknowledge their mistake.”

A woman came to me and said the bank had given her a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. She was very upset because, she said, “The people at the bank will never admit their mistake.”

I replied, “Let us analyze the situation and find out why you attracted it.” She thought a few moments and exclaimed: “I know it, I sent a friend a lot of stagemoney, just for a joke.” So the law had sent her some stagemoney, for it doesn’t know anything about jokes.

I replied, “Let’s look at the situation and find out why you attracted it.” She thought for a few moments and exclaimed: “I know! I sent a friend a lot of stage money as a joke.” So the law sent her some stage money, because it doesn’t know anything about jokes.

I said, “Now we will call on the law of forgiveness, and neutralize the situation.”

I said, “Now we will use the law of forgiveness to neutralize the situation.”

Christianity is founded upon the law of forgiveness—Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Karmic law, and the Christ within each man is his Redeemer and Salvation from all inharmonious conditions.

Christianity is based on the law of forgiveness. Christ has freed us from the curse of Karmic law. The Christ within each person redeems and saves them from all disharmonious conditions.

So I said: “Infinite Spirit, we call on the law of forgiveness and give thanks that she is under grace and not under law, and cannot lose this twenty dollars which is hers by divine right.”

So I said: “Infinite Spirit, we call on the law of forgiveness. We give thanks that she is under grace, not law. She cannot lose this twenty dollars, which is hers by divine right.”

“Now,” I said, “Go back to the bank and tell them, fearlessly, that it was given you, there by mistake.”

“Now,” I said, “go back to the bank and tell them without fear that they gave it to you by mistake.”

She obeyed, and to her surprise, they apologized and gave her another bill, treating her most courteously.

She did as she was told. To her surprise, they apologized, gave her another bill, and treated her very politely.

So knowledge of the Law gives man power to “rub out his mistakes.” Man cannot force the external to be what he is not.

So knowing the Law gives people the power to “erase their mistakes.” No one can force the outside world to reflect what they are not.

If he desires riches, he must be rich first in consciousness.

If he wants riches, he must first feel rich in his mind.

For example: A woman came to me asking treatment for prosperity. She did not take much interest in her household affairs, and her home was in great disorder.

For example: A woman came to me asking for treatment for prosperity. She took little interest in managing her home, and it was very disorganized.

I said to her, “If you wish to be rich, you must be orderly. All men with great wealth are orderly—and order is heaven’s first law.” I added, “You will never become rich with a burnt match in the pincushion.”

I said to her, “If you want to be rich, you must be orderly. All very wealthy men are orderly, and order is heaven’s first law.” I added, “You will never become rich with a burnt match in the pincushion.”

She had a good sense of humor and commenced immediately, putting her house in order. She rearranged furniture, straightened out bureau drawers, cleaned rugs, and soon made a big financial demonstration—a gift from a relative. The woman, herself, became made over, and keeps herself keyed-up financially, by being ever watchful of the external and expecting prosperity, knowing God is her supply.

She had a good sense of humor and immediately began putting her house in order. She rearranged furniture, tidied dresser drawers, and cleaned rugs. Soon she experienced a major financial gain in the form of a gift from a relative. The woman herself was transformed. She keeps herself financially ready by always paying attention to outward appearances and expecting prosperity, knowing God is her source of supply.

Many people are in ignorance of the fact that gifts and things are investments, and that hoarding and saving invariably lead to loss.

Many people do not realize that gifts and things are investments, and that hoarding and saving always lead to loss.

“There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

“Some give freely and yet gain more. Others withhold more than they should, but this leads to poverty.”

For example: I knew a man who wanted to buy a fur-lined overcoat. He and his wife went to various shops, but there was none he wanted. He said they were all too cheap-looking. At last, he was shown one, the salesman said was valued at a thousand dollars, but which the manager would sell him for five-hundred dollars, as it was late in the season.

For example, I knew a man who wanted to buy a fur-lined overcoat. He and his wife went to several shops, but he didn't like any of the coats. He said they all looked too cheap. At last, he was shown a coat that the salesman said was worth a thousand dollars. But the manager would sell it to him for five hundred dollars because it was late in the season.

His financial possessions amounted to about seven hundred dollars. The reasoning mind would have said, “You can’t afford to spend nearly all you have on a coat,” but he was very intuitive and never reasoned.

He had about seven hundred dollars. A reasoning mind would have said, “You can’t afford to spend nearly all you have on a coat.” But he was very intuitive and never reasoned.

He turned to his wife and said, “If I get this coat, I’ll make a ton of money!” So his wife consented, weakly.

He turned to his wife and said, “If I get this coat, I’ll make a ton of money!” So his wife reluctantly agreed.

About a month later, he received a ten-thousand-dollar commission. The coat made him feel so rich, it linked him with success and prosperity; without the coat, he would not have received the commission. It was an investment paying large dividends!

About a month later, he received a $10,000 commission. The coat made him feel so rich that it connected him with success and prosperity. Without the coat, he would not have received the commission. It was an investment that paid off handsomely!

If man ignores these leadings to spend or to give, the same amount of money will go in an uninteresting or unhappy way.

If a person ignores these urges to spend or give, the same amount of money will be lost in a dull or unhappy way.

For example: A woman told me, on Thanksgiving Day, she informed her family that they could not afford a Thanksgiving dinner. She had the money, but decided to save it.

For example, a woman told me that on Thanksgiving Day, she told her family they couldn’t afford a Thanksgiving dinner. She had the money, but she decided to save it.

A few days later, someone entered her room and took from the bureau drawer the exact amount the dinner would have cost.

A few days later, someone entered her room and took the exact amount the dinner would have cost from her dresser drawer.

The law always stands back of the man who spends fearlessly, with wisdom.

The law always supports the man who spends fearlessly and wisely.

For example: One of my students was shopping with her little nephew. The child clamored for a toy, which she told him she could not afford to buy.

For example: One of my students was shopping with her little nephew. The child begged for a toy, but she told him she couldn't afford to buy it.

She realized suddenly that she was seeking lack, and not recognizing God as her supply!

She suddenly realized she was seeking lack instead of recognizing God as her source of supply!

So she bought the toy, and on her way home, picked up, in the street, the exact amount of money she had paid for it.

So she bought the toy. On her way home, she picked up the exact amount of money she had paid for it in the street.

Man’s supply is inexhaustible and unfailing when fully trusted, but faith or trust must precede the demonstration. “According to your faith be it unto you.” “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen—” for faith holds the vision steady, and the adverse pictures are dissolved and dissipated, and “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

A person’s supply is limitless and never fails when fully trusted. But faith or trust must come before the supply appears. “According to your faith, it will be given to you.” “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith holds the vision steady, and negative images fade and disappear. And “in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Jesus Christ brought the good news (the gospel) that there was a higher law than the law of Karma—and that that law transcends the law of Karma. It is the law of grace, or forgiveness. It is the law which frees man from the law of cause and effect—the law of consequence. “Under grace, and not under law.”

Jesus Christ brought the good news (the gospel) that there is a law higher than the law of Karma. This higher law transcends the law of Karma. It is the law of grace, or forgiveness. It is the law that frees people from the law of cause and effect, the law of consequence. “Under grace, and not under law.”

We are told that on this plane, man reaps where he has not sown; the gifts of God are simply poured out upon him. “All that the Kingdom affords is his.” This continued state of bliss awaits the man who has overcome the race (or world) thought.

We are told that on this plane, people reap where they have not sown. God’s gifts are simply poured out upon them. “All that the Kingdom offers is theirs.” This lasting state of bliss awaits anyone who has overcome the thoughts of the human race (or the world).

In the world thought there is tribulation, but Jesus Christ said: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

In worldly thought, there is suffering. But Jesus Christ said: “Take heart. I have overcome the world.”

The world thought is that of sin, sickness and death. He saw their absolute unreality and said sickness and sorrow shall pass away and death itself, the last enemy, be overcome.

The world’s thinking centers on sin, sickness, and death. He saw that they were entirely unreal. He said that sickness and sorrow would pass away, and death itself, the last enemy, would be overcome.

We know now, from a scientific standpoint, that death could be overcome by stamping the subconscious mind with the conviction of eternal youth and eternal life.

We now know, from a scientific standpoint, that death could be overcome. We could do this by impressing the belief in eternal youth and eternal life on the subconscious mind.

The subconscious, being simply power without direction, carries out orders without questioning.

The subconscious is simply power without direction. It carries out orders without questioning.

Working under the direction of the superconscious (the Christ or God within man) the “resurrection of the body” would be accomplished.

By working under the guidance of the superconscious (the Christ or God within man), the “resurrection of the body” would be accomplished.

Man would no longer throw off his body in death, it would be transformed into the “body electric,” sung by Walt Whitman, for Christianity is founded upon the forgiveness of sins and “an empty tomb.”

People would no longer cast off their bodies in death. Instead, their bodies would be transformed into the “body electric” celebrated by Walt Whitman. For Christianity is founded on the forgiveness of sins and “an empty tomb.”