Tag: peace

Severity and Effects of Negative Karma

Continuing on our Karma series, let’s talk about the severity of negative actions. Not every non-virtuous action results in similar suffering. The degree of suffering depends upon the power of our actions. This power depends upon six factors including 1) the nature of the action; 2) the intention; 3) the method; 40 the object; 5) how often the action is committed; and 6) the application of the opponent. Now look at each one and understand what it means. First the nature of the action. Some negative actions are more severe than others. We briefly touched on this during our last session. For example, killing is a lot more severe than idle chatter. So if you recall the ten negative actions: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, hurtful speech, idle chatter, and so forth; the degree of severity among them is in descending order. Meaning killing is the most severe and idle chatter is the least severe. The next factor is suffering is intention. For example, to kill in a violent rage is more harmful than to kill in mild anger. But then I don’t who would kill in mild anger right? The method is the next factor affecting suffering. How we perform that action. For example, killing an animal swiftly has less suffering attached to it than killing sadistically applying slow and painful death. The object is also an important factor. If one kills someone who has been kind to them versus someone who is a total stranger, it has more severe implications. Similarly, if someone repeatedly commits the same offense, it has higher consequences as compared with a one-time offense. The last factor is the application of opponent. This means that when one commits negative action but along with that one also performs positive actions, then the severity of suffering is reduced.

Now let’s talk about the effects of our negative actions. There are three effects; 1) the ripened effect; 2) the effects similar to cause and 3) the environmental effect. Let’s look at each one individually. The ripened effect of a negative action is rebirth in one of the lower realms. For example, if a living being takes rebirth in the animal realm than the ripened effect of that particular negative action has occurred and will not show up again. The effects similar to the cause have two types; a) tendencies similar to cause and b) experiences similar to cause. Tendencies similar to the cause is a compulsion. For example, we know that we are prone to certain types of negative actions even when realize it is wrong but instinctively, sometimes we end up committing those. This in turn creates more negative actions and creates this vicious cycle.   Experiences similar to cause is different for each negative action. For example, experience similar to cause for killing is a short life full of sickness; stealing is a lack of wealth and possessions, sexual misconduct is separation from friends and family. Experience similar to cause for lying is that no one trusts us; divisive speech is difficulty creating harmonious relationships, hurtful speech is people say bad things about us, and so forth. The third effect of a negative action is the environmental effect. This means that it is our living environment that is affected. For example, the environmental effect of killing is poverty, stealing is we live in a barren area; sexual misconduct is we live in unsanitary conditions. So as you can see negative actions ripen in different ways. To sum up, the worst way it can ripen is birth in lower realms such as the animal realm. Effects similar to cause give us tendencies to perform similar negative actions or provides poor life experiences. The environmental effect makes our surroundings difficult. So that concludes our discussions on negative Karma. Next week, we will begin to look at positive Karma and its effects.

Types of negative Karma

Continuing on our series on Karma, today we discuss types of actions. Let’s begin with non-virtuous or negative actions. There are just about a million negative Karma one can create. However, all of those mostly fall into ten negative actions. They are killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, hurtful speech, idle chatter, covetousness, malice, and holding wrong views. Out of these, the first three are called bodily actions, the next four are speech actions and the last three are mental actions. So let’s look at each one. We think I have not killed anyone so I am good. Let’s take it slow. If we killed a mosquito with an intention to kill because it was bugging us, that is a killing action no different than committing first-degree murder. If we accidentally killed a living being that does not have the negative Karma attached to it. There need to be four factors present for us to suffer consequences of a negative action – the object, the intention, the preparation, and the completion. So in our mosquito example, the mosquito is the object. Our intention to kill arrives when it starts bugging us. We prepare to kill by using a squatter or some other object and the action is complete when we actually kill the mosquito. A couple of points of note here. Let’s say you are trying to kill a mosquito and by mistake, you end up killing a fly. In this case, you do not suffer consequences because you did not kill mosquito and you did not intend to kill a fly. Also, a point to bear in mind that if we direct someone to kill a mosquito for us, and they complete that action, both of us suffer consequences of that negative action. Next, let’s look at stealing. Again, we think we never stole anything from anyone. But let’s examine this a little bit deeper. If we ever took our work product from one job to another, for example, that is a form of stealing.  Not paying our taxes or defaulting on loans is a form of stealing. Stealing means anything that is not freely given to us. If we manipulate, bribe, blackmail to get something, that is stealing. Sexual misconduct is another type of bodily negative action. Lying is a negative action of speech. Although one can commit this action by writing or staying silent. A classic example of this is Yudhishthira during the Kurukshetra war. Someone asks him Ashwatthama is dead and he said Ashwatthama was indeed dead not clarifying that it was the elephant and not the Guru. Divisive speech is something when we create division between people. A lot of this is going on in our society at this time where people make statements just to incite hatred amongst groups of people. There is also a divisive speech of gossip where people talk about other people behind their backs trying to create a rift amongst friends. Hurtful speech is again, a type of negative action that is intended to hurt someone. Sarcasm is also a form of hurtful speech. Before we speak or post something on social media, we should contemplate, is it true; is it necessary; is it kind? Is the answer to any of these three questions is no, then don’t do it? Idle chatter is the least affecting negative Karma. This means a meaningless conversation. Covetousness is a negative Karma where one desires something that does not belong to them. It can be a material possession, a job, a higher position, or someone else’s partner. This is one Karma that creates negative results just with a train of thought. Malice is expressing ill will towards other people to harm them. Holding wrong views is where we reject universal truths such as Karma, the Cycle of birth and death, and so on. So these are ten types of negative actions. If we commit ourselves to avoid these ten negative Karmas, our lives will drastically improve for ourselves and those around us.

Laws of Karma

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.

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.