Hello Ernst and everyone,
I apologize if this question is in the wrong place.
I recall Sri Yukteswar taking on one of his student’s karma in Yogananda’s book. I’ve been thinking about that and I had a weird dream years ago that brought me to these questions. Don’t you need a person’s permission take on their karma? Is it possible to live someone else’s life?
To take on karma means to take on the energy that is attracting the karma, and no, I don't think we need anyone's permission for this. Some people are energy sensitive and the moment they start to get attached to someone they start sharing karma, so they get a tooth ache when that person gets a toothache. I do not know if they are sharing the karma actually, or just copying it.
Pets certainly share the karma of their owners.
I'll give my opinion:
"Don’t you need a person’s permission take on their karma? Is it possible to live someone else’s life?"
These are two different things, at least. I could interpret the second question in so many ways. But, no, it is not possible to live someone else's life.
Taking on someone's karma is only something a true guru (sadguru) can do. If you have someone's toothache, and they still have a toothache, then certainly no one has taken on anyone's karma. But if a guru took on that karma, you wouldn't have it any more.
Just be careful mixing the karma concept with the christian idea that most of us has inherited in one form of another, I believe, that it´s a good thing to suffer for others.
Most times detanglement is the best way for to help a person.
Said by someone who has 7H (emotional detachment) as his Mars card, but blocked by Sa/Ra. Many valuable lessons learned there.
Staffan