THE DEADLIEST SINS OF KARMA
JUDGMENT AND SCANDALIZING (D)
“There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us that it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest of us.” New England Saying
When judgment creates scandal and envy it has the potential to create significant harm.
“See yourself in others then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?” Dammapada
There is a story about a rabbi in a small ghetto in Eastern Europe who one day was seen taking groceries from a stall in the market. The storekeeper was not there and an observer noted that he left without paying. The shopper spread the rumor to the community that their rabbi was a thief. The rabbi was removed from his position and from that time on had to earn a subsistence living, cutting and delivering wood. On one occasion the person who spread the rumor saw the rabbi burdened under a load of wood and felt sympathy for him. He went to the hovel that was now his home to make amends. When the rabbi opened the door, he told him that he was sorry for what had happened and related the story of the unpaid groceries. The rabbi was upset that he had not come first to tell him what he had seen. He explained that the stall belonged to his son in law who gave him permission to take food whenever he wanted.
The congregant felt terrible and asked what could he do to reverse the damage. The rabbi suggested he write a letter about the mistake and take it to a nearby hill on a windy day, tear it into as many pieces as he could and then throw it into the wind. The congregant was exuberant and thanked the rabbi profusely. The rabbi then added; “But, I am not finished. Now you need to go and pick up every piece of paper and then the damage will be repaired.”
Sometimes the judgments we make that cause damage can have karmic consequences far more onerous than we can imagine. When we come in front of a spiritual tribunal at the end of our days we will learn that the laws of accountability on the other side are much more severe than those on the earth plane.
Ego’s judgment can be enhanced by our Evil Inclination (Shadow,) Monkey (Narrow) Mind as well as aggravated, and taken advantage of, by our Tricksters. All are connected to our primitive, sympathetically driven, survival responses that arise from our fear-based emotions. These cause our common unskillful emotions such as desires, compulsions, habits and addictions.
More serious and less common than these, however, are our toxic emotions which harm others as well as ourselves. These occur when Shadow, Ego, Monkey Mind and Dark Forces completely override our Good Inclination, Higher Self, Spacious Mind and our Guides.
“Malice sucks up the greater part of her own venom and poisons herself.” Montaigne
The toxic emotions of malice, hatred, anger, rage, envy and the desire for vengeance are Self-reflecting. They damage the Higher Self and disable Spacious Mind. They also blemish our karma and our life's trajectory.
“You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.” The Buddha
“Holding on to anger (rage, malice, hatred) is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” The Buddha
Take care not to give scandal nor to cause harm.
Has judgment caused harm to another or others?
The Evil Tongue
Kabbalah teaches that when we slander we “murder” three people:
Our Self (as in Higher Self) and our Karma,
"... and for what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again.” Matthew
the person to whom we gossip by possibly poisoning their mind,
and the one we are slandering, by character assassination.
Sadly scandal is all too common these days and is frequently based on lies.
“Do not spread a bad image of anyone or any group – even if true (or to the person himself.)
Do not share information that can cause harm.
Do not embarrass even in jest.
Do not pretend that innuendo or body language are not speech.” Chofetz Chaim
When judgment leads to covetousness we may transgress one of the ten commandments depending on what we do with our jealousy. Envy can result in the Evil Eye, the Evil Tongue out of one's Evil Inclination.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
When envy and jealousy and toxic, negative inclinations align with the heavy duty dark forces ('spiritual Mafia') to carry out nefarious actions, the result is witchcraft or sorcery. Sorcerers may use this occult, negative power in the Field either for themselves or for others. Witchcraft and sorcery, are not only effective but also lucrative. Just as distant healing has been proven to be successful, so too must be, distant hexing. In the case of the dark professions, these practitioners, knowingly and with intent conscript evil spirits to help them with their malignant efforts.
We may think that witchcraft only works in indigenous societies because they believe in it but this is not true. Distant or remote hexing works whether we believe in it or not. It is also prevalent in the West.
It works more powerfully if someone believes in it (the nocebo effect.)
When coveting occurs it may deprive others of having something or succeed in taking away what rightfully belongs to them.
The witch is the traitor in the gates who may also work spells for good so that they can continue to work unopposed. The sorcerer may help a client to gain their confidence, and then later, place a hex to get the victim back. They correct the malady that they had induced so that the client becomes their meal ticket. The cycle may continue.
Those who are governed by their Evil Inclinations may even unknowingly attract dark forces who are happy to help them carry out their covetous intentions. They may not realize they are being helped from the dark side of the veil - only that they are effective in their endeavors, both good and bad.
VENGEANCE
Over and above the criminal justice system, which has its own role to play in keeping us safe, exacting even what seems to be justifiable vengeance is egregious to the Creator.
“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge … I am the Lord.” Leviticus
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil…” Romans
Karma is relentless and will settle all valid grievances, sometimes sooner, rather than later. Unfortunately its usually not soon enough for most of us.
“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution.
In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.” Deuteronomy
“Do not say I will repay evil.
Wait for the Lord and He will save you.”
Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me;
For I will render to the man according to his work (his karma.)”
“Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad.” Proverbs
“… and do not give the devil a foothold. “ Ephesians
Sometimes an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is the only way forward but this should hopefully be left to the justice system.
“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s.” Jesus
War it seems will always be necessary because of evil in the world. In the case of our warriors in battle they have a job to do and an eye for an eye makes perfect sense but if possible they should not have vengeance or gratification in their heart when carrying out their duty. Nevertheless, hatred and the desire for vengeance are great catalysts for effectiveness.
