Simple premises that are common to most religions lead to surprising conclusions.
Let us assume for a moment that (1) God exists and that (2) He is powerful enough to control this universe and (3) He in fair to all beings. Most religions implicitly or explicitly state these three points. For the sake of argument, if we accept them, then we need to still explain many observations around us: for example, why do very young children die in such large numbers? It would be absurd to argue that God is testing them through hardship even though they have done no wrong. And, if He is not testing them, then the only explanation is that the souls inhabiting these young bodies come with a history of past lives that condemns them to suffer.** This appears to be the only logic consistent with the three assumptions we started with.
Continuing the logic above, if bad things happen to us due to past wrongs done by us, then there must a divine law that connects outcomes we face in the present to actions we committed in the past. The physical universe would have an impenetrable curtain behind which God keeps a scorecard of what good and bad a person does and events then unfold to bring commensurate outcomes to him. While these events unfold, the actions he continues to take keep going into his karma records. The upshot of this would be the following: If we get impacted from our past actions then all the benefit or harm we suffer in this world must come only form our past actions. Why not from a mix of past actions and random present events? Because that would violate our earlier assumption – that God is fair. If we were to suffer random outcomes in this world – some of us benefiting and others suffering, then that fairness premise would get violated. Fairness must mean that nothing happens to us that we do not deserve. Remove random events and only then do things become completely fair. We are not benefiting or suffering through random events, someone else’s generosity or cruelty or any other phenomenon. We are impacted only by the force of our actions that reach out from the past and harm or benefit us in the present.
Continuing the chain of logic above, one can conclude that one cannot harm or benefit anyone other than himself.1 Any seeming harm he does to others is a result of their past actions. It was a harm that was destined to reach them regardless. But if he is inflicting harm upon others for selfish reasons, then he is sowing seeds of harm for himself in the future. And, vice versa – if he works for other’s benefits, he would be benefited in the future. In a seemingly unfair world, what could be more fair than this?
Stepping back and looking at the bigger picture: the universe is then a marvelous creation where events bring us what we deserve. And, it does so in a manner that when a person gets touched by an event that is the results of his past actions, then the people (or beings) around him who are directly or indirectly touched by the same event are also getting what they should for their past actions.2 This then becomes the purpose of the universe – it is designed to dispense results of past karma and absorb the present ones. The universe then is a platform to which souls keep coming back to suffer or benefit from past karma.
This implies that it is futile for one to worry about the world or this universe (if anyone is doing that) because the world and the larger universe are working exactly as they were designed to. Their present states and direction of movement are only because of the collective karma of the souls inhabiting them.
The above logic, in its entirety, is in line with Indian spiritual teachings. At the very least, this thought-train provides an iron-clad logic to explain all good and bad happening to us. It does away with the need to have a hell in afterlife. If one inflicts pain, even up to the point of death, upon others then this world is sufficient to pay him back in the same currency and in proportional measure.
The teachings make a case for a very active life of service to others. They also advise that, to the extent possible, the best course of action is to be a kind friend to all beings, not just humans. This should not preclude us from self-preservation and self-defence.
This logic also suggest more interesting insights. Here are some:
The power to inflict large scale changes in this world is a very dangerous thing. If this power comes without a mindset of service to others, it brings with it the risk of suffering a long list of consequences flowing from the direct and indirect results of one’s actions. Significant power or wealth thus becomes the ultimate curse. In exchange for one life lived in apparent luxury, it could inflict countless ones in abject misery. It is interesting then, that such lives of power and wealth are so sought after.
For one’s long term benefit, the best life would probably be one that comes with modest wealth and income – enough to take care of his basic needs and not much more. This setting would be conducive to building self-discipline and foster a sense of service to others, no matter how modest. It would also constrain the space to wreck havoc upon others through transgressions that may be magnified by possession of power or wealth. This is perhaps the reason Jesus Christ said “it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than a rich man into the kingdom of the heavens”.
Closing Note
As I have written earlier, Indian spiritual texts can be a bit much to take in for the uninitiated. It helps to start small and focus on things that one can do to be spiritually aligned and happy now. I have listed a few articles below that may be a good place to start.
Recommended Reading
Scientific Spirituality: A scientific, experiment-based approach towards spiritualism and ancient Indian texts could serve us well.
The Advanced Meditation Exercise (TAME): This meditation technique is an incredibly powerful way to keep the mind peaceful. It is prescribed in Bhagwad Gita, the primary book of Indian spiritual heritage. It derives its power by activating three key things in us: detachment, stillness, and transformation.
Use Meditation to counter depression and stress: Modern approaches towards depression and stress are not working as they do not understand the mind that creates them. It’s time to rethink our approach.
Why should I be more spiritual? Being more spiritual makes me happy everyday. It gives me a level of control over my mind that I did not earlier have. And, it gives me a more satisfied life.
Footnotes
1: Swami Vivekananda has made a similar point in his writings.
2: Srinivasa Ramanujan used to ruminate upon ancient Hindu texts and conjure up mathematical equations as a result. He said that “An equation for me has no meaning unless it expresses a thought of God”. This comment and his work may suggest that this universe would have complex mathematical underpinnings that similarly connect past actions to present outcomes in some proportion while ensuring that the peripheral impact upon others are also consistent with laws of karma.
