Thought for Today

Karmic Debts (...continued)
There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free:

1. Practice Of Soul Consciousness

The first method is to increase the awareness of the self as soul and reduce the illusion (false belief) that we are our body. This ensures that all actions come from an inner state of peace, generosity and benevolence (kindness), without any personal gain or conscious desire for any return. This requires the gentle effort of constantly reminding ourselves who and what we are — soul not body. Our identification with our body is so strong that it can be drawn like a curtain across our consciousness in a second. The path of a soul who is waking up spiritually is therefore one of waking (awareness of self as soul) and sleeping (under the illusion that we are our body), waking and sleeping. We tend to fluctuate between the two (like day and night) until we find stability in soul-consciousness. This is why it is important to awaken and stay awake, and for that it's important to give our mind and intellect good spiritual food (knowledge) and exercise (meditation) every day to keep them fresh and alert.

Being soul-conscious, and acting from that consciousness, naturally heals the scars (habits and tendencies) left by past negative actions which were based on the illusion (false belief) of body-consciousness. The evidence that our meditation is working is a lightness of the mind and an increasing easiness in our interactions with others. These are the signs that we are clearing our karmic debts. It is at this stage when we are gradually transferring ourselves from body-consciousness to soul consciousness that we will often find it helpful and supportive to be in the company of those who are also practicing meditation, learning to be 'soul-conscious' and making the same effort to awaken and to stay awake. It gives us the opportunity to share experiences and learn from others. We will also be less likely to find benefit or make progress in the company of those who continue to focus mainly on the material world and who still see themselves only as physical beings.

(continued tomorrow...)
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