The law of karma states that a person who makes bad choices suffers unpleasant effects, whereas making good choices gives rise to pleasant experiences in this or a future life. This law is the aspect of God giving out justice. His aspect of mercy is discussed later.

Pollution then must have both good and bad effects. The bad effects are well known, although not so well known is the extent of pollution in the modern world, and what this will do to living beings in the next ten or so years.

There are five elements that make up the world around us: ether (space), air, fire, water and earth. Each of these elements now carries with it serious pollution.

The most serious pollution is that of the ether itself. Television, radio, telephone communications now pervade the entire planet. They penetrate every fibre of man (and animal). Some years ago, men and women walked in sandals for many miles with no discomfort to the feet. Nowadays, discomfort arises even when they wear socks and insulated shoes. The reason is that pollution of space is damaging the nerves of every being on earth.

Other forms of pollution are also very serious. Pollution of the atmosphere (the air we breathe) is the next most serious as air carries with it our life force (as stated elsewhere, male and female fertility levels have declined by 50% in the last 50 years from this source). Next is pollution of the earth's heating and cooling systems with the prospect of extreme hot and cold weather patterns. The fourth most serious pollution is of the water systems, carrying with it the risk of large scale disease. Lastly is pollution of the earth and the food we eat.

The average man and woman, with indifferent karma (some good, some bad, choices in their previous life) needs good food, water, temperatures, air and space to survive. None of these conditions hold good now. Hence most people will be dying over the next 20 or 30 years. This statement leaves out of the equation self-inflicted damage to their systems as a result of taking Western medical treatments and food additives, etc. It also leaves out of account the issue of crime as food, water, shelter, medicine, etc become scarce.

Turning back to the issue of space pollution, when in search of food, people will need to walk. But space pollution means that the greater one walks the more is the detachment of skin and flesh from the bone of the foot. Further, loosening of the grip between flesh and bone in the rest of the body causes massive suffering to both man and animal.

For the advanced yogi who makes only good choices, space pollution strengthens the bonding between his bone and his flesh: the opposite effect. Everything in this world is controlled by God.

Such a yogi has nothing to fear from pollution to any of the five elements. All contact makes him stronger, fitter. This does not mean that if one irradiates him with a massive radiation dose he would not die. It means that the amount of such radiation that he receives is controlled by God to the level which is optimal for him.

Just as for a child, some exposure to dirt and dust is good for the immune system, so some (typically minor) exposure to pollution is good for everyone. The result of making good choices in your previous life is that you receive this optimal level. The result of having made poor choices is that you receive an excess which causes you suffering.

The law of karma is however not the entire story. God has a merciful aspect as well as a just aspect. The practice of yoga as described in the section called ‘yoga and religion' brings upon you the potential to receive His mercy and hence benefit form the forthcoming tragedies in the world, not just to be dependent on the balance of good and bad choices that you made in the past.