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SUTRAS
THE NATURE OF KARMIC BONDS
129
picture what these more advanced stages will feel like, but after our first few serious steps in this direction new understanding, perception and action arises automatically. Once we start to experience the world more consciously than ever before, immense encouragement supports our exploration of entirely new dimensions of life.
Unfortunately this path is not always open to us. Though every living being has an inherent potential for this development, our access is often blocked by karmic processes we caused by our own actions and attitudes
Yet the strength of these blocks varies in the course of time. There always are phases when we recognize our potential for development more clearly. During these phases our access to this third path is open.16 It is entirely our own decision how we use this opening.
The incarnation in an agreeable and safe environment clearly states that this third alternative is open to us, since it usually provides the means and time for spiritual expansion. If we take positive life-circumstances as the basis for our journey into advanced, new and fascinating dimensions, we not only unfold our very own inherent potential, but will also17 generate sufficient positive karma to guarantee that these valuable circumstances will support all future development as well.
The positive types of karma listed in this sutra are mentioned to make us aware of the broad basis that already supports our spiritual growth. If and with how much engagement we take up this rare opening is our very own decision.
16 Genuine interest in the theme of this book indicates that this is the case
at exactly this point in time. 17 see 'ATTRACTION TO KARMA', sutra 17, 18, 20, 24
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