Reincarnation, Karma, and Christ's Universal Redemption

GA 94 — 2 July 1906, Leipzig

Lecture V

We first had to learn about the higher worlds in general in order to be able to clearly explain what reincarnation and karma are today. Reincarnation is understood to mean the passage of the human spirit through various earthly lives. This law of reincarnation is basically the same as that found in the rest of nature. Take a simple substance, such as table salt. It “reincarnates,” crystallizing again and again into cubes. We can speak of a reincarnation of form here. We can observe this law in a similar way in the plant world. Flowers fade, but their species remain; they reappear the following year as flowers of the same kind. Here we have a reincarnation of species. The same can be found in the animal kingdom.

In humans, we do not speak of species, but of individuality. It is not the species that is preserved through emergence and decay, but individuality, the very essence of the human being. This appears in an ever-new personality. The respective personality is only the expression of eternal individuality. Reincarnation has not always prevailed on earth, and it will not continue forever into the future, but has a certain duration.

Does the repetition of earthly lives have any value or meaning? One must only be clear about what reincarnation and karma actually are. This law is closely linked to the entire process of human development on earth. Let us look back to ancient Greece: how different conditions were then, and how thoroughly the whole external way of life has changed in these two millennia! In general, the face of the earth, the entire culture, is completely changed each time a person undergoes their next reincarnation. A new incarnation always occurs for a person when they have something new to accomplish on earth. In twelve times 2160 years, the sun completes a full cycle around the entire zodiac. The ancient peoples still knew the connection that exists between human life and this passage of the sun through the twelve constellations. In ancient times, the image of the twins was worshipped in Persia; this was followed by a period in which the bull was worshipped. This worship found its historical expression in the cults of Mithras and Apis. Then came the time when the lamb, the ram, was worshipped. Each of these images corresponds to a period of 2160 years. On average, two incarnations are calculated to fall within this period of 2160 years; one of them is female, the other male.

What we have acquired as knowledge and insight in one life comes out as abilities in the next life. Karma is the law of cause and effect in the various courses of life. The law of cause and effect is generally accepted for the physical world, but not for spiritual life. And yet one should also ask about the various causes of people's living conditions. Karma is the great law of world justice. But karma should not be understood fatalistically. Not all events need to be consequences of the past. New things also come to people, which are then balanced out in later lives. The effect of the law of karma can be compared to the technique of a merchant who keeps an account book. The representatives of professed Christianity object to the law of karma on the grounds that the death of Jesus was a vicarious sacrifice of atonement – but theosophy teaches self-redemption and compensation for sins through karma, which the Christian religion cannot accept. But this objection is based on a misunderstanding. It is also a misunderstanding to argue that if someone is in need, I should not help them because I should not interfere with their karma. Suppose a person reaches the point where they can no longer help themselves. Then you help them, and through this help you improve their fate. Or you can help twelve people, and then twelve people owe you gratitude. It will not occur to these twelve to say that he cannot help us, karma requires that we help ourselves. But the help that another person provides is inscribed in karma and will be balanced out later. Thus, a powerful, great spirit can help not only one person or a thousand, but all of humanity at the moment when it needs it. This was the deed of Christ Jesus on earth. It is a help to all people and is written into the karma of all people and has an effect on all people. By teaching this, spiritual science is the best servant of Christianity. It conveys the true understanding of Christianity. It has enlightening work to do so that the way may be found.