A Little Note On Karma

I often hear people declare their belief in karma or the oft stated expression "karma's a bitch" and think about how this subtle process has become so misunderstood in the west. The word karma is Sanskrit and means action it also refers to the dynamics of cause and effect. Again karma is very subtle, simple and yet intricate as well. Buddhist thought likens it to planting seeds that will sprout with the attention we give it. If we plant a seed of selfishness and water it with thoughts that nourish it to action then we faced with a selfish life and all the attributes that accompany such a life. It's not punishment - it's simply the results that we have fostered with our thoughts, intent and action. Another Buddhist thought that expands on this well is the Buddha's statement that we are not punished for our anger, but that anger itself is punishment. We reply or act in anger and it is reflected in our relationships and our health. That's karma. Wishing for results of karma to be made visible and strike someone down is planting the seeds of our own karmic reaping. Our only issue is our own karma and never another's - and as karmic interaction plays out we find that this concern reaches far into the interdependent nature of all beings. Indeed no man is an island and the karmic bell tolls for all - yet it is our own garden that we most tend so that others may share in the fruit of our care and compassion. Adding to this little note is the role forgiveness plays - it's important - forgiveness transcends karma. Forgiveness is the grace that lessens and erases the karmic bonds that tie us to the past and frees us to plant new seeds of love and compassion that will blossom in future gardens of hope and beauty. Forgive, plant anew and rejoice in the world of our making.


Peace,
Eric