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The Thirteenth Lesson: Spiritual Cause and Effect201
for the expression and manifestation of these likes, tastes and desires—
the soul wishes to go on along the line of its past life, and naturally seeks
circumstances and surroundings best fitted for the freest expression of its
personality. But, at the same time, the Spirit, within the soul, knows that
the soul’s unfoldment needs certain other conditions to bring out certain
parts of its nature which have been suppressed or not developed, and so it
exerts an attraction upon the reincarnating soul, drawing it a bit aside from
its chosen course, and influencing that choice to a certain degree. A man
may have an overpowering desire for material wealth, and the force of his
desire will cause him to choose circumstances and conditions for a rebirth
into a family where there is much wealth, or into a body best suited for the
attainment of his desires, but the Spirit, knowing that the soul has neglected
the development of kindness, will draw it a little aside, and cause it to be
brought into the sweep of circumstances which will result in the man being
made to suffer pain, disappointment and loss, even though he attain great
wealth in his new life, to the end that he may develop that part of his nature.
We may see illustrations of this last mentioned occurrence in some of the
very rich men of America. They have been born into circumstances in which
they have had the freest expression of the desire for material wealth—they
have possessed themselves of faculties best adapted to that one end, and
have managed to be surrounded with circumstances best calculated to
give the freest manifestations of those faculties. They have attained their
heart’s desire, and have piled up wealth in a manner unknown to former
ages. But yet they are most unhappy and dissatisfied as a rule. Their wealth
is a weight around their neck, and they are tormented by fears of losing
it and the anxiety of attending to it. They feel that it has brought them no
real happiness, but has on the contrary separated them from their fellowmen,
and from the happiness known to those of moderate means. They are
feverish and restless and constantly on the search for some new excitement
which will divert their minds from the contemplation of their real condition.
They feel a sense of their duty toward the race and although they do not