Dear TMN, >> "From the Hermetic standpoint, it is karmic, i.e., a matter of cause and Effect." - Are you are saying: that his/hers blindness, is a direct result of some action in the past which it self may have nothing to do with there sight. << >> Also that: "In the case of congenital blindness, the cause would be from a past lifetime as might other forms of blindness:crossed eyes, color Blindness, etc." Are you also saying: that if this blindness is congenital then it means that the pesron did the action - which through karma caused it - in a pass life. << Yes. >> If my assumptions are correct please explain how this is so, it kind of implies that if something bad happens to a person it is always there own fault i.e. its there fault that they were born blind, crippled, deaf, ect... , or that there fault that a mad gun man as shot there legs off, you get my drift. << "Fault" and *causation* are not the same beasts. :) Negative karma is not a punishment for past bad deeds. It's the natural product or consequence of past actions. Karma, whether positive or negative, occurs in order that we might learn the lessons that need to be learned so that we can advance and grow. >> If my assumptions are wrong could you please elucidate what you exactly meant possibly illustrating cause and effect relationship.<< I suggest that you visit http://www.ABardonCompanion.com/Redemption.html My best to you, :) Rawn Clark 22 Nov 2003 rawnclark@... rawn@... http://www.ABardonCompanion.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BardonPraxis http://E.webring.com/hub?ring=arionthebardonwe