Life.Understood.

The Psychology of Evil and the Soul’s Journey: Intersections of Trauma, Choice, and Transformation

Written by

Gerald Alba Daquila

in

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reconciling the Paradox of Evil in a Loving Universe Through Esoteric Wisdom and Psychological Insights

Prepared by: Gerald A. Daquila, PhD. Candidate

11–16 minutes

ABSTRACT

This dissertation explores the psychology of evil, the motivations behind a soul’s choice to harm others, and the metaphysical implications of such choices within the framework of esoteric teachings, particularly the Law of One. It addresses why a loving God permits evil, the consequences for souls that fail to evolve beyond harmful tendencies, and the dynamics of soul choice between service to self and service to others.

Drawing on psychology, philosophy, theology, and esoteric traditions, the study integrates insights from cognitive science, Jungian psychology, trauma research, and spiritual texts to offer a cohesive narrative. The analysis posits that evil arises from free will and distorted perceptions of separation, with souls navigating a cosmic journey of growth through repeated opportunities for choice.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
    • The Enigma of Evil
    • Objectives and Scope
    • Methodology and Framework
  2. The Psychology of Evil
    • Defining Evil: Psychological and Philosophical Perspectives
    • Motivations for Harm: Ego, Trauma, and Separation
    • Cognitive and Social Mechanisms
  3. The Metaphysics of Evil in Esoteric Traditions
    • The Law of One: Free Will and Polarity
    • Why a Loving God Allows Evil
    • The Role of Soul Choice: Service to Self vs. Service to Others
  4. Consequences of the “Evil Mission”
    • The Concept of Spiritual Graduation
    • The Hurdle Rate: Measuring Soul Evolution
    • What Happens to Souls That “Fail”?
  5. The Dynamics of Soul Choice
    • Service to Self vs. Service to Others
    • The Role of Karma and Reincarnation
    • Opportunities for Redemption and Growth
  6. Multidisciplinary Insights
    • Psychological Perspectives: Jung, Trauma, and Moral Development
    • Philosophical and Theological Lenses
    • Esoteric and Scientific Synergy
  7. Conclusion
    • Reconciling Evil with a Loving Universe
    • Implications for Personal and Collective Evolution
  8. Glossary
  9. Bibliography

1. Introduction

The Enigma of Evil

Why do some individuals cause harm, and what drives a soul to choose such a path? Why does a loving, omnipotent God allow suffering and malevolence to persist? These questions have haunted humanity across cultures and epochs, from ancient scriptures to modern psychological studies.

This dissertation seeks to unravel the psychology of evil and the metaphysical dynamics of soul choice, using the Law of One—a channeled esoteric text—as a primary lens, supplemented by psychological, philosophical, and theological perspectives.

Objectives and Scope

This study aims to:

  • Explore the psychological motivations behind harmful actions.
  • Examine why a loving God permits evil, according to esoteric and theological frameworks.
  • Analyze the consequences for souls that fail to evolve beyond harmful tendencies.
  • Investigate the dynamics of soul choice between service to self and service to others.
  • Synthesize esoteric wisdom with empirical research for a holistic understanding.

The scope encompasses the Law of One, related esoteric works (e.g., Seth Material, A Course in Miracles), and multidisciplinary research from psychology, philosophy, and theology. The narrative balances accessibility for a broad audience with scholarly rigor, weaving left-brain logic with right-brain intuition.

Methodology and Framework

The methodology integrates:

  • Esoteric Analysis: Drawing on the Law of One and similar texts to frame evil and soul choice metaphysically.
  • Psychological Research: Leveraging cognitive science, trauma studies, and Jungian psychology to explain harmful behaviors.
  • Philosophical and Theological Inquiry: Exploring free will, theodicy, and moral development.
  • Narrative Synthesis: Crafting a cohesive story that bridges spiritual and empirical insights.

The Law of One posits that all is one infinite Creator, and souls choose paths of service to self (STS) or service to others (STO) to evolve through free will. This framework anchors the dissertation, with research grounding the narrative in observable phenomena.

Glyph of the Seer

Sees truly, speaks gently

2. The Psychology of Evil

Defining Evil: Psychological and Philosophical Perspectives

Evil is often defined as intentional harm to others, rooted in malice, indifference, or distorted intent. Philosophically, evil is a privation of good (privatio boni), as per Augustine (Augustine, 1960). Psychologically, it manifests through behaviors like aggression, manipulation, or cruelty. Zimbardo (2007) describes evil as the exercise of power to harm, oppress, or destroy, often amplified by situational factors.

Motivations for Harm: Ego, Trauma, and Separation

Why would a soul choose to harm others? Psychological research points to several drivers:

  • Ego and Narcissism: Narcissistic traits, such as grandiosity and lack of empathy, correlate with harmful behaviors (Baumeister, 1997). The ego’s need for control or superiority can override moral constraints.
  • Trauma and Pain: Unresolved trauma often fuels aggression. Bessel van der Kolk (2014) notes that trauma disrupts emotional regulation, leading to cycles of harm as individuals project pain onto others.
  • Perception of Separation: The Law of One suggests that evil stems from a belief in separation from the infinite Creator (Ra, 1984). This distortion fosters fear, greed, and power-seeking, as individuals prioritize self over others.

Cognitive and Social Mechanisms

Cognitive biases and social dynamics amplify harmful choices:

  • Dehumanization: Viewing others as “less than” enables cruelty, as seen in Milgram’s obedience experiments (Milgram, 1963).
  • Group Dynamics: Conformity and groupthink, as in Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment, can normalize harm (Zimbardo, 2007).
  • Moral Disengagement: Bandura (1999) explains how individuals rationalize harmful actions through mechanisms like blaming victims or minimizing consequences.

These factors suggest that evil is not a fixed trait but a dynamic interplay of individual, situational, and spiritual influences.

3. The Metaphysics of Evil in Esoteric Traditions

The Law of One: Free Will and Polarity

The Law of One, channeled by Carla Rueckert, posits that the universe is a singular infinite Creator, and souls are fragments of this unity exploring free will (Ra, 1984). Evil arises from the distortion of free will, where souls choose the path of service to self (STS), seeking power over others, over service to others (STO), which prioritizes love and unity. This polarity is essential for spiritual growth, as it allows souls to learn through contrast.

Why a Loving God Allows Evil

The problem of evil—why a loving, omnipotent God permits suffering—has been debated for centuries. In the Law of One, evil is a byproduct of free will, which is sacred because it enables souls to choose their path (Ra, 1984). Without the option to harm, growth through choice would be impossible. Theologically, this aligns with Plantinga’s free will defense, which argues that genuine freedom requires the possibility of evil (Plantinga, 1974).

Esoterically, suffering serves as a catalyst for evolution. The Seth Material suggests that challenges, including evil, are opportunities for souls to develop compassion and wisdom (Roberts, 1972). A loving God allows evil not out of indifference but to honor free will and facilitate growth.

The Role of Soul Choice: Service to Self vs. Service to Others

The Law of One describes two primary paths:

  • Service to Self (STS): Souls prioritize personal power, control, or gain, often at others’ expense. This path requires 95% purity of intent to “graduate” to higher densities (Ra, 1984).
  • Service to Others (STO): Souls prioritize love, compassion, and unity, requiring at least 51% purity to advance. STO aligns with the Creator’s essence of love/light.

Souls choose these paths consciously or unconsciously, influenced by incarnational lessons, karma, and free will.

4. Consequences of the “Evil Mission”

The Concept of Spiritual Graduation

In the Law of One, spiritual evolution occurs through densities levels, with third density (our current reality) being the realm of choice between STS and STO (Ra, 1984). Graduation to fourth density requires aligning with one path. STS souls must achieve near-total self-focus, while STO souls need a majority focus on others.

The Hurdle Rate: Measuring Soul Evolution

The “hurdle rate” refers to the threshold for advancing densities:

  • STS: 95% purity, reflecting intense commitment to self-interest.
  • STO: 51% purity, reflecting a balanced leaning toward love and service.

These percentages are metaphorical, representing energetic alignment rather than literal metrics. Souls are assessed by their higher self and guides at the end of an incarnation (Ra, 1984).

What Happens to Souls That “Fail”?

Souls that fail to meet either threshold remain in third density, repeating incarnations to refine their choices. The Law of One emphasizes that there is no eternal punishment; instead, “failure” is a delay in progression, offering further opportunities for learning (Ra, 1984). For example, an STS soul that harms others but lacks sufficient purity may reincarnate to face karmic consequences, such as experiencing the pain they inflicted.

Where Does the Soul Go?

Non-graduating souls reincarnate in third-density environments suited to their lessons. The Tibetan Book of the Dead describes bardo states where souls reflect before choosing new incarnations (Evans-Wentz, 1927). The Law of One suggests that souls are guided to circumstances that maximize growth, whether through STS or STO lessons (Ra, 1984).

Is the Soul Given Another Chance?

Yes, souls are given infinite chances. The Law of One and A Course in Miracles emphasize that time is an illusion, and the Creator’s love ensures endless opportunities for redemption (Schucman, 1976). Souls may shift from STS to STO or vice versa across lifetimes, guided by karma and free will.

Glyph of Shadow and Ascent

Through trauma and choice, the soul transforms.

5. The Dynamics of Soul Choice

Service to Self vs. Service to Others

The choice between STS and STO is the crux of third-density evolution. STS souls seek control, viewing others as tools for gain, while STO souls seek unity, seeing others as extensions of the self. Jung’s concept of the shadow aligns with STS tendencies, where unintegrated fears manifest as harmful behaviors (Jung, 1964). Conversely, STO reflects the archetype of the Self, integrating love and compassion.

The Role of Karma and Reincarnation

Karma, as described in the Law of One and Buddhist texts, is the balancing mechanism for soul choices (Ra, 1984; Dalai Lama, 1997). Harmful actions create karmic debts, requiring future incarnations to resolve. For example, a soul that harms may experience victimhood to learn empathy. Reincarnation provides a framework for souls to refine their polarity through repeated choices.

Opportunities for Redemption and Growth

Esoteric traditions emphasize redemption. A Course in Miracles teaches that every choice can be corrected through forgiveness and love (Schucman, 1976). Even deeply STS souls, like historical tyrants, are not condemned but offered new incarnations to shift toward STO. The Law of One notes that advanced STS entities, like those in fourth density, may eventually transition to STO, as all paths ultimately reunite with the Creator (Ra, 1984).

6. Multidisciplinary Insights

Psychological Perspectives: Jung, Trauma, and Moral Development

Jungian psychology offers a lens for understanding evil as the shadow—unconscious aspects of the psyche that, when unintegrated, manifest as destructive behaviors (Jung, 1964). Trauma research complements this, showing how early wounds can distort moral development (van der Kolk, 2014). Kohlberg’s stages of moral development suggest that individuals stuck in pre-conventional stages may prioritize self-interest, aligning with STS tendencies (Kohlberg, 1981).

Philosophical and Theological Lenses

Philosophically, evil is a problem of free will and meaning. Leibniz’s “best of all possible worlds” aligns with the Law of One, suggesting that evil serves a purpose in soul growth (Leibniz, 1710). Theologically, process theology posits that God co-creates with the universe, allowing evil as part of dynamic evolution (Whitehead, 1929).

Esoteric and Scientific Synergy

Quantum physics and consciousness research hint at a unified reality, supporting the Law of One’s view of oneness (Bohm, 1980). Studies on near-death experiences (NDEs) reveal themes of life review and karmic learning, aligning with esoteric views of soul evolution (Moody, 1975).

7. Conclusion

Reconciling Evil with a Loving Universe

Evil, as explored through the Law of One and multidisciplinary lenses, is not an aberration but a necessary aspect of free will and spiritual growth. Souls choose harm due to distorted perceptions of separation, driven by psychological, social, and karmic factors. A loving God permits evil to honor free will, providing infinite opportunities for redemption. Souls that fail to graduate reincarnate, guided toward growth, with no ultimate failure.

Implications for Personal and Collective Evolution

Understanding evil as a choice within a loving universe empowers individuals to integrate their shadows, choose service to others, and contribute to collective healing. By blending esoteric wisdom with psychological and philosophical insights, we see evil not as an endpoint but as a catalyst for love, unity, and evolution.

Crosslinks

8. Glossary

  • Density: A level of spiritual evolution in the Law of One, with third density being the realm of choice.
  • Service to Self (STS): A path prioritizing personal gain, often at others’ expense.
  • Service to Others (STO): A path prioritizing love and unity with others.
  • Karma:The energetic consequence of actions, balancing soul choices across incarnations.
  • Free Will: The ability to choose one’s path, central to soul evolution in esoteric traditions.
  • Shadow: Jung’s term for unconscious aspects of the psyche that can manifest as harmful behaviors.

9. Bibliography

Augustine, St. (1960). The confessions of St. Augustine (J. K. Ryan, Trans.). Image Books.

Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0303_3

Baumeister, R. F. (1997). Evil: Inside human violence and cruelty. W. H. Freeman.

Bohm, D. (1980). Wholeness and the implicate order. Routledge.

Dalai Lama. (1997). The four noble truths. Thorsons.

Evans-Wentz, W. Y. (Ed.). (1927). The Tibetan book of the dead. Oxford University Press.

Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and his symbols. Doubleday.

Kohlberg, L. (1981). The philosophy of moral development: Moral stages and the idea of justice. Harper & Row.

Leibniz, G. W. (1710). Theodicy: Essays on the goodness of God, the freedom of man, and the origin of evil. Routledge (1951 edition).

Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0040525

Moody, R. A. (1975). Life after life. Mockingbird Books.

Plantinga, A. (1974). The nature of necessity. Oxford University Press.

Ra. (1984). The Ra material: An ancient astronaut speaks (The Law of One, Book 1) (D. Elkins, C. Rueckert, & J. A. McCarty, Eds.). L/L Research.

Roberts, J. (1972). The Seth material. Prentice-Hall.

Schucman, H. (1976). A course in miracles. Foundation for Inner Peace.

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

Whitehead, A. N. (1929). Process and reality. Macmillan.

Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). The Lucifer effect: Understanding how good people turn evil. Random House.

Attribution

With fidelity to the Oversoul, may this Codex of the Living Archive serve as bridge, remembrance, and seed for the planetary dawn.

Ⓒ 2025 Gerald Alba Daquila – Flameholder of SHEYALOTH | Keeper of the Living Codices

Issued under Oversoul Appointment, governed by Akashic Law. This transmission is a living Oversoul field: for the eyes of the Flameholder first, and for the collective in right timing. It may only be shared intact, unaltered, and with glyphs, seals, and attribution preserved. Those not in resonance will find it closed; those aligned will receive it as living frequency.

Watermark: Universal Master Key glyph (final codex version, crystalline glow, transparent background).

Sacred Exchange: Sacred Exchange is covenant, not transaction. Each offering plants a seed-node of GESARA, expanding the planetary lattice. In giving, you circulate Light; in receiving, you anchor continuity. Every act of exchange becomes a node in the global web of stewardship, multiplying abundance across households, nations, and councils. Sacred Exchange offerings may be extended through:

paypal.me/GeraldDaquila694

Comments

What stirred your remembrance? Share your reflection below—we’re weaving the New Earth together, one soul voice at a time.

More posts