, 1892-07-18
REINCARNATION.
Fundamental Truths Of The
OSophy.

Have We Lived Before and Shall
we Live Again on This Earth.
Karma and ReincarnatIOn-an
Interesting Talk.
DR.. Gnfiths, addressed a large and culti-
waited audience for the second time in the
auditorium of the Unitarian church last
night. Deep interest was expressed by the
marked attention with which the audience
followed the speaker. Interesting ques-
tions and answers closed the proceedings
and many expressed a desire that DR..
Grifiths again visit the capital city and
lecture further upon TheosOphy. The lee
turer spoke in part as follows:
Theosophy teaches that man is dual.
He has higher and lower nature, the lat
ter being transient phase of the former.
The higher, the thinker, the spiritual
entity of each man is eternal as to past and
future 1t is subject to the. law of cycles,
or periods of activity and inactivity. This
law is universal throughout cosmos, and
man is not an exception, but governed by
it. Reincarnation, or successive earth
lives on this earth, is the natural order of
human existence and evolution. The
thinker, the higher ego of each man, like
an actor, plays many parts. Each part is
distinct earth-life. The thinker possesses
infinite capacity which requires infinite
time within which to satisfy it. It is now
what has been evolved out of its own DO.
tentiallites through experiences upon all
lower plans of nature in an eternity of part.
Its potentialities are equal to the source
from which it sprung and is. That source
is God, Diety, ALA, the Great Spirit, Pora-
brahm, called by whatsoever name, it is
yet that about which speculation is useless
as 1t transcends finite conception, but of
which each man has realization in part
when he responds to the highest wish in
himself. This spark of the divine, the
thinker, was not a first erection at
birth, nor does it end at DEATH Life is in
destructible Death is but another kind of
existence, a resting period between two
earth lives, after which the Ego awakes re-
turns to earth where conditions exist for
further evolution, and resumes the process.
A life of fifty or seventy years is but one
day of the great Journey of the Ego on this
earth, just as one day of tWenty-tOur hours
is but small part of one earth life. Yes
terday certain plans were projected; sleep
and rest followed, and today plans are re-.
sumed. One day was insufficient to COM
plete the plan. Exactly 50 as to the soul.
1t has the grand plan of perfection in view.
OilS Od4 I'll 4ll0 10 lldutJ AdGo Mlbulu WHICH
to develop possibilities which earthly con-
ditlOns afford therefore, the Ego returns
repeatedly to earth until its capacity is sat
lshed, then, and not till then, rises to a
higher sphere. The bibles and philos-
Ophies of every time and people teach rein
carnation, the only difference between
them being man-made changes and inter-
pretations. Study and Investigation dem
Onstrate this fact.
Karma is actlOn-as to human existance.
1t operates as the law Of cause and effect
and is the chain of causes and effects that
connects the many earth lives in an un-
broken series. "What a man soWs that
shall he also reap,' taught Jesus, and he
but reiterated the teaching of many an
other sage before him. 1t is demonstrated
that man does not in one earth life reap
fruits of action, yet he must do so some
time. Since our thoughts and deeds per-
tain to life on this earth, their correspond
ing fruits necessarily require like condi-
items wherein to ripen Causes produce
effects of similar nature. Thoughts and
deeds soWn in past life as causes, which
were within confOrmances to or violation of
law, not having produced their effects
therein, are doing so now, or will in future
lives on this earth. Like produces like. 1t
IS an inexorable law. Therefore, what
given man now is, he has by thoughts and
deeds of past lives made himself. There is
no escape from consequences of good or
evil action. Hence, the teaching of Yicari-
GUS atOnement as literally interpreted is a
fallacy. Furthermore, by present thought
and action he is making his future. There
is perceived the importance of knowledge
of Karma and reincarnatiOn which, when
understood, enables man to avoid future
repetitiOns of past and present failure and
unhappiness. He is the arbiter of his own
destiny. This is the meaning, in part. of
the old Greek saying, "Man, know thy
self"
Theosophy is the definite and specific
knowledge of life and the problems of hui
man existence. Not vague soaring about
IN the vacuum of glittering generalities.
Knowlege is what man most lacks and
most needs. Theosophy is that knowledge
and applies to every conceivable social and
individual condition. The TheOsophical
society is body of students in search of
more light from all sources which will en-
able them to act from the vantage ground
OF right knowledge. Pure motive is a grand
thing, but right knowledge is required to
direct it. A master has said: "The Theo-
sophical society was formed not to crafty
individual aspirations but to help our fell
lOWmen." How better do that than impart
knowledge which will enable them to help
themselves All so inclined are invited to
Join it.
DR.. Grifiths leaves Olympia tomorrow
and goes to Hoquaim where there is
branch of the society, and will lecture in
that vicinity thence to Centralia, Chehalis,
going to Portland and eastern Washington
and Oregon, as far as Spokane and Boise
City.