REDEMPTION FROM KARMA

Meher Baba

The incarnation of the Avatar does not take place unless it is
precipitated by the five Perfect Masters of the cycle. In all of
his incarnations except the first, even the Avatar needs a
master in order to come into his own eternal and infinite
consciousness. He does not become an exception to the rule
that a "touch" of a master is necessary for God-realization.
However, the "touch" of a Perfect Master does not necessarily
mean physical touch. When we say that we are "touched" by
music, or a poem or story, the touch has deeper significance.
Far more truly is this so when it is a question of spiritual
"touch". In the case of the master, this deeper spiritual touch is
often transmitted through the physical touch.

Every time the Avatar descends, he is not necessarily
recognized as the Avatar by the masses. He can be
recognized as such only by those who are very advanced
spiritually. The Avatar himself is the least concerned about
whether or not he comes to be recognized as Avatar by
large numbers. He plays thoroughly his role as the Avatar and
his chief work lies in the higher invisible spheres of existence.
If, however, he appears at a critical or transitional cyclic
period, as is often the case, he is hailed by the masses as the
Avatar of the age.

The Avatar is not necessarily recognized and hailed as the
Avatar by each and all, because he covers himself under a
veil for his own spiritual work. This veil, under which he
prefers to remain hidden, is different from the veil which the
five Perfect Masters draw on him while bringing him down
in the human form. The veil which the Avatar puts on himself
can be removed by him at any time, and for any person or
persons as he may desire, for the purposes of self revelation
or self-communication.

The Avatar does not take upon himself the karma of the
world nor does he become bound by it. But he takes upon
himself the suffering of the world which is the result of its
karma. His suffering for the world is vicarious. It does not
entail entanglement with the karma of the world. But humanity
finds its redemption from its karma through his vicarious
sufferings, e.g., illness, humiliation, accidents and the like. In
his own ways, the Avatar unfailingly fulfills his incarnation by
giving a spiritual push to his age.

THE ADVANCING STREAM OF LIFE, pp. 3-4
Originally in BEAMS FROM MEHER BABA, p. 27
Copyright 1958 Sufism Reoriented