The corruption in the world saddens me. Yogananda says in his books that souls carry traits from one lifetime to the next, like seeds in us. Then if someone is greedy and corrupt in this lifetime then they must have been the same in the previous ones too? Then how did they accumulate the good karma to be in a position of power in this lifetime, and enjoy a materially comfortable life but cause suffering to many innocent people? Surely karma would prevent them reaching such a position?
—Anon, UK
Dear Anon,
Being greedy and corrupt doesn’t automatically mean you are a failure. As you yourself have pointed out there are some such people in positions of power and comfort, causing suffering to others. Paramhansa Yogananda pointed out that such people have the karma of success and power based on their past actions using their God-given reason and energy in ways that, ultimately for them, are self-destructive (and hurtful to others). To be evil requires a kind of genius: at least intense concentration and one-pointed focus on one’s career of greed and evil.
In history, there have been evil people who were converted to spirituality who then became saints! Why? Because the energy it takes to become rich, famous and powerful is the same energy, once re-directed, to achieve God-realization.
To some extent every soul has to taste the bitter seeds of selfishness achieving some measure of material success before the soul can be convinced from its own experience that these things cannot bring us the happiness we sought in them. One who knows only suffering and poverty is deprived of success and comfort and generally will have to achieve these before their inability to bring happiness can be actually known.
Therefore, developing high energy and intensity of concentration on one’s spiritual path and practices with the guidance of a God-realized soul is the way to freedom. Rejecting this world as only a place of suffering is not enough. This universe was not created that it be rejected as delusive. Delusive it is, in a sense, of course, but it merely hides the Spirit within. We are tasked with seeing the Spirit in all people and all circumstances, even while wisely recognizing that not all forms are equally expressive of Spirit.
Jesus said “Be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves!” What the world is going through is what the world (that is, individual people) needs to grow towards wisdom or to delay the process from ignorance. The choice is ours.
Let us do what we can to make the world a better place but then remember that this world is not ours to control, demand, or even in many respects try to understand with our mind.
Rejoice! A saint once said “If you knew just how much God loves you, you would die for joy!”
Joy!
Nayaswami Hriman
