"Silence, Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation blend into each other harmoniously." –Flower A. Newhouse

Finding Your True North

The Armor of Spiritual Life - Lesson 15

The Use of Spiritual Laws Is Our Protective Shield - Part II

The Law of Cause and Effect

The Law of Cause and Effect is known by many names-action and reaction, consequence, or compensation. Much that we witness or experience is not pleasant. We are humanly inclined to feel that our good is merited, but we cannot imagine why we should meet the discordant. We are the causers of every chain of effects. Our thoughts produce vibrations that out-picture or reflect themselves, either in constructive or destructive ways.

Physically, on the outer plane, the law of cause and effect gives outward evidences when we have abused it, or when we have been unwise. For instance, there is a reaction if we have not been intelligent in our choice of food, or if we have been self-indulgent and have eaten too much. The resulting stomach ache will remind us that the law of action and reaction serves to prod the conscience to be more balanced in the future. The law firmly urges us to create for ourselves the equilibrium and control of a well-ordered body and mind.

On the emotional plane we find this same law in operation. There is a verse in the Bible which states, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." (Hos. 8:7) This is true in regard to our emotional reaction. These winds, or eddies of life's circumstances and reactions, as they touch us can, if we are not alert, cause us to know whirlwinds of reactions, such as sorrow, fear, disturbance, or confusion. As these reverberations return we must meet them with peace and with no sense of humiliation but with the true recognition what we have a lesson to learn, and want it to be learned thoroughly this time. Then with gradual instruction and better self-conquest we do not need that kind of reminder again.

On the mental plane we discover that everything we think about has its projections in the physical world. The Bible tells us of this law's working through the verse: "As a man thinketh in his heart (in his consciousness), so is he." (Prov. 23:7.) When our thoughts are doubtful, restricted, or impure, at some time in our physical bodies we will experience the results of these projections that were once in our thoughts. For that reason, our thoughts are require continual purification and greater enrichment through study, self-discipline, and the glorious wealth that can be given us in this reaching out toward God, and expressing more reverence in our outer lives.

Karma, as the East Indians call the law of action and reaction, makes us experience on the physical level of life, the moral responsibility for mistakes we have made on the inner planes of consciousness and being.

The Spirit can reign supreme within a shackled body. One man we know has suffered from a seriously deformed body. Not until he was advanced in years did he behold with spiritual insight how his tortured form was the karmic result of his cruelty to others in the recent past. He saw how he had thrown others into damp, dark dungeons wherein they knew physical suffering and misery. With this realization came the courage to bear his affliction bravely and self-forgetfully.

Another crippled man, who is an inspiration to thousands throughout the world, has proved that there are powerful forces of Spirit within the reach of man's use which can completely sublimate and control so-called handicaps of the body. Where there is a will to overcome there is a way of transcend every barrier.

Everything about us is a "projection of thought." Since this is true we can quietly and patiently purify, harmonize, and perfect our thought field out of which the fruits of our interests will spring.

Flower says, "Everything about us is a 'projection of thought.'" Take a moment and reflect on this statement and your life. How does the Law of Cause and Effect help you understand the place where you are in life? Where you have come from? How you live each moment from now on?

The Law of Rhythm

And then there is another law that we should consider-the Law of Rhythm. On the emotional and physical planes sometimes we become a little disheartened when we sense the withdrawal of the tides of energy, impetus, and exhilaration. If we are not deeply instructed we will think that something is wrong with us, but as we study we find that there are great tides or cycles-taught in various philosophical schools-tides that change from birthday to birthday. There are seven tides or cycles in each year between our birthday times. Each cycle last fifty-two days. The cycle just prior to our birthday is the one called the "vacation cycle" and it brings us that effect of inertia, of being uninspired, and of having a low ebb of energy. Experience teaches us wise use of all cycles. Some are conductive to activity; others are better for recapitulation, rest and study.

We must be patient. Our heart is affected in its expansion and contraction by this same law of rhythm; so are the tides of the sea, and planets whirling in their orbits around the sun. Our physical bodies are under the same types of physical laws of rhythm. We need, therefore, to adjust when ebb time comes. True, physical depletion can be occasionally the result of our abuse of the Law of Balance and wholesome living; but again, it could simply mean that we are entering a vacation cycle..

Click to Listen to Flower on the Law of Rhythm

Take a moment and reflect on the Law of Rhythms. Ponder the yearly influence of Christmas and Easter - the hours in a day - the changing seasons. What other cycles and rhythms do you notice affecting your life? What impulses, power tides, or spiritual significance are found in them?

In Depth Study

When I first read this chapter on spiritual laws, I was intrigued to learn more about the rhythms and cycles that affect us inwardly. My journey of discovery led to a talk on the subject which is linked below. Also, there is a handout that gives you information on the fifty-two day and seven year cycles that are addressed.

Blessings of discovery,
Reverend Blake Isaac

Spiritual Cycles and Their Numerology: Guideposts to Our Spiritual Walk

View Handout.

Practice

M18 Find the card entitled Creative Meditation (M18). Practice this meditation to bring yourself into greater attunement with the Law of Cause and Effect and the Law of Rhythm. Ponder the Divine Plan behind your life that might offer comfort to the challenges you have faced or are facing.

Envelopments of Light to you.

Questions and Answers

Questions and answers with Flower A. Newhouse (excerpted from Here Are Your Answers, Volumes I, II and III)

Why does karma exist when the Bible stresses forgiveness?

To make this clear, suppose a child of about ten, in a fit of temper, should break up the furniture and upset a whole room. The mother might look upon the child with forgiveness and find reason for forgiving; however, the disorder and destruction would still be there and someone would have to restore it to order. If the mother were wise, she would require the child to right the wrong as much as possible. God forgives us our wrong, but we have the price to pay and the work of rehabilitation to do.