Study in Karma

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophist Office Adyar

Page 48

MAN IN THE THREE WORLDS
37
A person gets drunk; may he say: “My karma is to get drunk"? He gets drunk because of certain tendencies existing in himself, the presence of loose companions, and an environment where drink is sold. Let us suppose that he wishes to conquer his evil habit; he knows the three conditions that lead him into drunkenness. He may say: "I am not östrong enough to resist my own tendencies in the presence of drink and the company of loose-livers. I will not go where there is drink, nor will I associate with men who tempt me to drink.” He changes the conditions, eliminating two of them, though unable immediately to change the third, and the new result is that he does not get drunk. He is not “interfering with karma,” but is relying on it; nor is a friend "interfering with karma,” if he persuades him to keep away from boon companions. There is no karmic command to a man to get drunk, but only