Last week we touched on the definition of Karma. Today let’s discuss the law of Karma. It could be summarized in two parts. 1) General characteristics of Karma; and 2) Particular types of action and their effects. There are four general characteristics of Karma. A) The results of actions are definite; B) The results of actions increase; C) If an action is not performed its results cannot be experienced; D) An action is never wasted. So let’s begin with the first one – the results are actions are definite. What does that mean? It sounds like a lot of mumbo jumbos. In simplest terms, it means once we create Karma, we will certainly have to bear the consequences of that Karma. For example, we sow a pea seed in the garden, we will notice that only pea grows and not wheat. It’s worth looking at the main causes of different sufferings human beings experience. If we are experiencing mental disturbances, that is because in the past – not necessarily in this lifetime – we disturbed the minds of others. Similarly, if we are experiencing physical pain, in the past, we injured other living beings. If the main cause is absent it is not possible to experience its result. The main cause of suffering from hunger and thirst is stealing food and drinks from others in the past. Let’s look at the second characteristic. The results of actions increase. What this means is that even a small negative Karma can bring a lot of suffering and a small positive Karma can bring a lot of happiness. The power to produce results of Karma grows by the day just like an acorn grows slowly into a large Oak tree. The next characteristic of Karam is that if an action is not performed its results cannot be experienced. We read in the news that sometimes there is a plane crash or something huge and there is a lone survivor whose life was spared against all odds. That is because the survivor did not create Karma to die at that time. The last characteristic of Karma is that an action is never wasted. This is very important to understand. Karam we create by our action cannot simply go away or we cannot give them away to someone else to avoid its results. This is very interesting. Although mental intention that started the action in the past has ceased, the potentialities that create does not cease until it ripens. What does that mean? For example, let’s say we kill a mosquito with a vengeance. If all the causes for us to experience the effect of that action do not come together, those potentialities remain in our mind until it ripens. If you look at the example of our gardening, if we sow a pea seed, it still needs the right environment such as good soil, fertilizer, water, and sunshine before it can grow. So pea we sow is not wasted it is just waiting for appropriate conditions to arise.
Tag: meditation
Karma is a B**ch
Let’s discuss Karma today. All of you have heard the phrase what goes around comes around. Or you reap what you sow. These are just reminders of how Karma works. Actually, Karma works in mysterious ways. But in general, virtuous Karma creates pleasant experiences and non-virtuous Karma creates unpleasant experiences. Let’s look at what is Karma. Karma is a body or speech action initiated by mental action. One cannot create Karma with just bodily action without a mental intention. For example, if I accidentally slap you when trying to get a bee out of your face, I do not create negative Karma since I did not have intention to slap you. So every time we create a mental action, it leaves what is known as a Karmic imprint on our mind. These karmic imprints ripen at different times based on its potentialities. Each one of us has a different individual Karma that explains why each one of us has a unique set of experiences. The laws of Karma are why every individual has a unique mental disposition, unique physical appearance, and unique experience. You may notice that some people are prone to accidents or illness while others enjoy pleasant experiences. Some people are difficult to please and others are happy no matter the circumstances. Our acquaintances and relationships are also based on Karma. You may have noticed that you have a very close relationship with someone and after some time they almost disappear from your life. Your friendships end sometimes abruptly and you never talk again to that person. This is because of your karmic relationship with that person and once Karma is used up, there is no more bond. One thing to understand is that Karma can ripen anytime. It is not necessary for one lifetime’s Karma to ripen in the same lifetime. In fact, often they don’t. This means Karma we have created may ripen if the appropriate circumstances and potentialities arise. That may explain why seemingly nice people sometimes end up suffering immense pain. There is also something called collective Karma. A group of people and their collective Karma ripen that creates external circumstances. For example, some places are always going through wars and atrocities that go along with it. Some places are prone to natural disasters and so on. This is why we need to make sure that we avoid negative or non-virtuous actions. We must be mindful throughout the day to make sure that we are not creating negative Karma. When we are having a conversation, we must be careful as to what we say. Someone put it beautifully; before you say something or write something on a social media post, ask yourself, Is it True? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? If the answer to anyone of these questions is No, don’t do it.
How much is enough?
Let’s talk about contentment today. Have you ever thought about how much is enough? If you think about every one of us doing better than where we thought we would be. Even then we are on this race for more. We want just a little bit more. More money, more prestige, more pizza, more travel, more TV, more computer game, and whatnot. Have we ever contemplated how much is enough? We must realize that it is a moving target. I remember when I was in college, they used to pay me a $900 per month stipend and tuition waiver. I thought I was on top of my world! Not only I was driving a brand new car but had some money left over at the end of the month. Fast forward 30 years and $900 may not cover a day on occasion. So what happened? We kept wanting more and as we received more, our needs kept increasing. This is what we need to realize. There is never enough unless you are content within yourself. I have everything that I need at this moment. You may have heard the story of a Mexican fisherman. A wall street executive takes a vacation in a small town in Mexico. He notices that fishermen go out every morning and return with fish by early afternoon. They cook the fish and then have beer and dance the night out. This was their daily routine. Wall Street guy sits down the fisherman and says you know I can make you big. He says how so? Wall Street guy says we can get you a loan to get a couple of boats where you can catch more fish and sell it to the town next door. Fisherman asks what next? He replies well then we buy some more boats and sell the fish to the City. Fisherman asks then what? He says then we buy a fleet of 100+ boats and make you the biggest fishing operation in Mexico. Fisherman asks then what? He says then we do an IPO and you cash out and retire. The fisherman asks what was next? Wall Street guy says then you can retire in a small town and wake when you want, go to sea catch some fish, have a beer, and party the night out. The fisherman says I am already doing it! So you see sometimes what we are chasing is right in front of us. Just with a little bit of contentment, we can get what we want without chasing for it.
So in meditation today, we will settle down in our hearts. Then we will contemplate do we really need more? After contemplation, we will make a determination I am where I am supposed to be. I have what I need for this moment. We will than hold that determination.
Kindness of others
Let’s talk about the kindness of others. If you look at every day so many people are doing so much work just to keep us happy. Think about that, you want groceries. You order it from Amazon. Well, it started out with someone farming the groceries that you want. It goes then to a wholesaler and the distributor and so on. Just to bring tomatoes to your door, more than 25 people have done their part at least. Now you may say well I paid for the tomatoes and they all got paid. True. But they did not have to do those tasks. They could as well have done something else. How did you get money to pay for all this? Someone had to give you a job. You may say, I am good at what I do. Sure you are. Someone gave you those instructions. You paid for your tuition – someone had to give you that money. So if you think long and hard, you will notice that everything we enjoy, a lot of people who we don’t even think about play a role. We must appreciate the kindness of other beings. In our meditation, we will try and contemplate these points and towards the end, we will develop affection towards all beings. This is the focus of our meditation.
What if someone is trying to provoke you to get you angry?
Excellent question. When someone tries to provoke us, we should try and figure our what it is that provokes us. If two people say the same thing to us, one will provoke us and other will not. Why is that? That’s because of our attachment towards that person. This is self-cherishing. As your meditation practice grows, thing that bother you will no longer bother you. And eventually, they will realize that it does not bother you and stop trying to provoke you.