KARMA
Before becoming aware of my own true identity, while I associated myself completely with my own physical costume, I did not realise that even action was having such a deep impact. Now, with the recognition of the self as a soul. I become aware that every single action is leaving an imprint a record, which I carry with me eternally.
Up until now, we have found it very difficult to classify exactly what is rig! and what is wrong. Throughout history our definition of right and wrong has been changing. Within the same period of history different culture: different religions come up with different definitions and classification: Even within the same religion, people of different generations will hav different ideas of right and wrong. Even if I don't consider the external situation at all but look within myself, I find that my own understands fluctuates a great deal. In childhood, my understanding was on one leve in adolescence it changed, in maturity it has changed yet again. As I am being influenced by the atmosphere or the words of human beings, m intellect wavers in its own judgement.
So can I possibly arrive at a point where I can know absolutely what is rig! and what is wrong? Whilst I am limited by this physical costume, even th religion into which this body was born, as well the limitations of gender, c age and of culture, will all colour my ideas, my thoughts and judgement But if I can always be in the consciousness of my true identity, the peaceful soul, I am able to understand accurately what is right and wrong. This i simply because in soul consciousness, the soul can only experience peace, happiness and love, so it can only perform actions based on those qualities. These actions will be BENEFICIAL ACTIONS bringing happiness and positive results.
In body consciousness there is not the pure intention behind action. Our actions are performed with ulterior selfish motives, such as greed, ego, possessiveness, etc. and are therefore NON-BENEFICIAL ACTIONS which give sorrow and bring negative results. It is the consciousness with which we perform action that is important.
The Law of Karma , of action and reaction, is applicable to the spiritual sphere and is absolute. It states that; for every action there will be an equal and opposite reaction. Opposite of course means opposite in direction. What I give out to the world and other people, I get back an equal amount. This means that if I have given happiness, I will receive happiness in return; if I have given sorrow I will receive sorrow in return. The law is simple but when understood in its full depth it can give us insight into the significance of events in the world. In Christianity this law has been understood by the saying. 'As you sow, so shall you reap'. It is also known as the law of cause and effect.
Having understood this, when we see certain effects, there is now the realisation that effects can only take place if there is a cause. So karma (which literally means 'action') is the cause and the fruit of karma or action is the effect. Generally, when we see the fruits of our karma we tend to forget that we are responsible for these effects. If the fruit of karma is bitter rather than sweet we often point the finger of blame at others and say that others are responsible for our suffering, but if there is the effect of sorrow, I now understand that I have been responsible for the cause of sorrow. Understanding the Law of Karma makes us take total responsibility for our own situation, our state of mind and indeed our whole lives.
Sometimes only half the Law of Karma is understood, and this is concerning destiny. Someone may think, helplessly;'Whatever is happening tome now is because of my past actions, so there is nothing I can do about it. It is my fate'. Certainly it is true that when someone comes to understand that what they are experiencing now is a result of their own past actions and that they are responsible for their own situation, a great deal of tolerance, acceptance or endurance is experienced which may have been missing before. However, more importantly, the other side of the Law o Karma teaches us that if I now perform pure, beneficial actions, I car create my own positive future in the direction of my choice. Not only an I not the slave of destiny, but the understanding of Karma philosophy make: me the creator or master of my own destiny. I may even be able to inspire others to create a positive destiny for themselves through my own example and my own actions.
The negativity of the past has led me into'karmic debts' with those around me. Where I have in the past given sorrow I must now repay that debt b; giving happiness. I have to settle my past 'karmic account'. But just becaus< style="font-weight: bold;">
Meditation Practice
Divide your time while sitting in meditation roughly into three. Take three meditation themes or positive qualities which follow on from each other, such as stillness, silence, power, or lightness, peace, contentment. Take up each theme separately, creating thoughts that will lead you into the experience of each one. Make sure that you have achieved an experience of the first quality before moving onto the second, and the second before moving onto the third. In this way you can gently lead yourself into deeper experiences in meditation as well as enjoying a variety of positive feelings and qualities.
Raja Yoga - Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
