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Chapter XIX: Re-Birth2271
Chapter XIX: Re-Birth
In the preceding chapter we have explained that the soul, falling into the
second soul-slumber, is caught up by the currents of the Karmic attraction,
and is carried on toward re-birth in an environment, and with ties, in
accordance with the sum of its character and desires. As we shall see in
the succeeding chapter, some souls escape this current of rebirth, and are,
instead, carried on to higher spheres of activity and being. But, by far, the
great majority of the souls on the Astral Plane move forward toward earthly
re-birth—such being their Karma.
But here, we must caution the student against falling into the far too
common error of supposing that this Karma is a stern something meting
out rewards and punishments according to some established code. Instead,
Karma is simply the law of spiritual cause and effect—we are punished not
because of our sins, but by them; we are rewarded not because of our good
deeds, but by them. In short, our rewards and punishments arise by the very
nature of our character, and our character is the sum total of our desires.
Therefore, desire is the motive power of Karma, and, through Karma, of our
re-births.
To many, it seems as if re-birth upon earth is something forced upon the
soul in spite of its desires. The very opposite is true, for the sum of the