Karma Talk

by Swami Beyondananda

Dear Swami:

Perhaps you've heard about the recent flap where the publisher of a certain channeled spiritual text is suing everyone else who's ever written a book quoting the text, and won't even consider a dialogue or negotiation.  It's crazy.  Here's someone who's published a book about how we're all these holy children of God, and he ends up acting like some grinch.  How do you explain something like this, and what can we learn from this situation?

Rich Ewell & Sara Mony,
Highland Park, Illinois

Dear Ann:

Because I myself am not involved in the case, I cannot comment.  But if I could comment, I would say this:  Now that we've firmly established that we are all Children of God, it is time to consider how we can become Adults of God as well.  I certainly can understand your concern about someone "owning" a spiritual path.  Look what happened this past millennium when the Roman Catholic church tried to trademark "Jesus Christ."  When it came to protecting their own Brand Name they were worse than Disney.  They'd start with some hearsay, and before you know it they'd twisted it into heresy.  And anyone found to be a patent violator was tossed in the fire.

Nowadays we're more civilized, so we sue.  But this can lead to karma trouble down the line.  The residue of all this litigation -- called "sue-widge" -- can collect on the underside of your karma and really gunk up the works.  Ultimately, you end up in the Supreme Court, and those Universal lawyers can be awfully expensive. 

So how do we get past our addled-essence and finally "grow up" spiritually?  By channeling our own spiritual text, that's how.  Because you don't have to go through the old channels anymore.  Now anyone can get their own link-up and download whatever programming they want.  And there are many, many programs.  

I still remember the karma driving tip I got from my own guru, Harry Cohen Baba: "Anytime you see a sign that says One Way," he told me, "do not enter."

* * * *

Dear Swami:

Well, the Y2K "crisis" turned out to be just a little blip.  No big breakdowns, no big deal.  And frankly, I feel a little let down.  All those emergency provisions -- what do I do with them?  Got a basement full of Spam that I got through Spamway, water, extra firewood, even a generator. 

Perhaps the biggest loss, though, is loss of face.  There's this manuscript that was my brainchild -- all about this new society that would come about after the Y2K breakdown.  What do I do with it now?  Swami, I'm depressed.

Hedforda Hills,
Crimea River, Idaho

Dear Hedforda:

Yeah, I fell for the Spamway rap too -- they promised me that Spam was the ultimate survival food because it was guaranteed to be the last thing on my shelf, no matter what.  And sure enough, it is.   

Sounds like you got yourself a case of PMS -- Post-Millennial Stress disorder. Add to that the loss of a brainchild, and it's no wonder you are depressed.  Well, cheer up.  Just because the world didn't end doesn't mean it's the end of the world. That stockpiling was your insurance policy.  You don't say at the end of the year, "Oh, my God.  Look at what I spent on fire insurance this year, and I didn't even have a fire.  What a waste!"  So don't worry about saving face.  Your ass was saved, and that should be good enough for anyone.

* * * *

Dear Swami:

I recently read an article on how much Americans spend each year on cosmetic surgery to tighten their buns.  It's astounding.  Any comment on the cosmic significance of this?

Les Knott,
Woodland Hills, California

Dear Les:

Sure.  It is proof that human beings will use any means necessary to achieve a desirable end.  And let's face it, if you want to be desirable nowadays, you gotta have a desirable end.  Well, thanks to the miracle of modern surgical techniques, if you have the means, the end you desire can be yours.

* * * *

Copyright 2000 by Steve Bhaerman.  All rights reserved.

About the Author

Hear the Swami’s wisdom with your own ears -- just click onto www.beyondananda.com. To find out more about Swami’s products and appearances on the "outernet", call 1-800-SWAMI-BE.

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