[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: ARTICLE : ATMA and How did it get corrupted
In article <ghenDyMJnv.JKA@netcom.com>, saibaba@ccs.neu.edu says...
>
>Namaste,
>One Question which always bothers me is "If our present actions are
dependent
>on our past KARMA, if we travel infinitely backwards, then we haven't done
any
>KARMA. I mean we must be Pure Souls without attachment and activity. How
come
>we not having KARMA at that time and being PURE and PERFECT at that time
FALL
>into activity and Lowered ourselves(?).Or am I wrong somewhere in
>understanding KARMA theory.
Namaskara.
It is possible that you've misunderstood. First of all, we need
not postulate that purity must also include inactivity. Secondly,
"attachment" and "nonattachment" are tricky terms. In the Gita, we
are therefore advised to try to see the activity in "non-action"
and the nonaction in spiritual activities. Let's discuss this.
>My understanding of PURITY is that which is unblemished and that which
cannot
>be fooled by MAYA(?). But if we were all pure at one time, how come we have
>been fooled. If we had been fooled once when we were pure, what is the use
of
>attainment of PURITY in the future;Where is the garuntee that we will not
fall
>into the trap again ?".
You have a very reasonable doubt and have asked a good question.
The reason the "pure" self falls into ignorance is because he is
extremely minute (according to the sastras, 1/10,000 the size of
the tip of one hair). There are some schools which do not accept
eternal and minute individuality of the soul, but they are not
supported in the Gita; for them, your question is even more
troublesome. The fact is that the jivatma (the self) is eternally
a fragmental part of the Supreme (Paramatma), though they are both
essentially the same (atma). Because the jivatma has minute
independence eternally, he may always choose to enter Maya, thus
misusing that independence. This is why the jiva is called
tatastha-sakti, or the marginal energy of Brahman.
>I apologise to all those sincere seekers who might be lost by my ignorance.
>Thanks.
Sure. Hope this helps.
