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SUTRAS
ATTRACTION TO KARMA
comprehension. This process should not be slowed down by the erection of artificial barriers. 16
- Refusing to impart knowledge out of envy or jealousy - e.g.
someone is eager to receive knowledge, but his 'teacher' - i.e. someone in possession of this information - refuses to teach because he fears his disciple might progress faster than he himself. - Obstructing the process of gaining knowledge (see commentary on withholding).
- Denying truth proclaimed by others although we recognize it as such. This means refuting, slandering, ridiculing and discussing with the intent to destroy the impact and power of knowledge.
Often this type of action is caused by envy that other teachers attract more followers, command deeper insight or have a greater
gift of words. - The attempt to destroy knowledge we recognize as true. These attitudes and actions affect two areas of life: - karma that blocks knowledge (jnana) frustrates our conscious perception, reflection, understanding and integration of knowledge.
16 Hierarchical organizations of this kind usually carry an additional ba
sic flaw: - the mechanism of withholding knowledge obstructs the organization's own access to higher knowledge. Its karmic consequences affect all members who enforce the obstruction of the flow of information towards others. This often manifests in form of intense pride of the (higher) members in their presumed 'more' of knowledge. - If this mechanism is known and is kept secret, then it is obvious that
knowledge-obstructing karmas operate within the hierarchy. - If its members are unaware how much of an obstruction they create, the real mechanism of gaining knowledge is niot known and thus anything taught can at best be partial.
The very structure of such organizations often prevents their follo ers from gaining access to their own inner source of complete knowledge - an essential prerequisite for reaching ultimate freedom.
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