Meaning of karma: Compelling ideas for your love life... and love of life!So
what's the meaning of karma? Oh
boy is that a big question! Below I've summarized the
answers
to all of the mysteries of life. 'It's my karma'It's easy to receive 'good' karma, isn't it? There's no angst, and often we don't even recognize it as karma. It's also easy to envision ourselves as the 'victim' in past lives. Harder to see ourselves as a perpetrator. Yikes - who me?!Though if reincarnation is true, think about it. We've likely had hundreds of lives, and throughout this time, no doubt we've been both - we are human after all. "It
is the coward and the fool who says [karma] is fate. But it is the
strong man who stands up and says, 'I will make my fate.'" Sanskrit
proverb
The meaning of karma is rarely referred to in the western mainstream. Though Oprah did interview psychiatrist, past life regression therapist and author Brian Weiss - thank you! Dr. Oz also got in on the action. Despite the silence, karma has a solid history in religion, spirituality and philosophy - some of which I do touch on briefly below. Edgar Cayce also spoke of karma in his readings, and the information he brought forth demonstrates its subtle nature and complexity. Karma can be described as memory coming to consciousness. As one recalls or relives situations, as the Edgar Cayce material said, one 'meets self' (i.e. the traits or ourselves from past lives). When we find ourselves at such a crossroads, we can then use our free will to choose. Personally, I believe the meaning of karma works on another level as well. Essentially, karma may all boil down to the energy and vibration that we carry in our DNA and energy bodies, attracting some experiences and repelling others. The principles are the same... just a different way of looking at it. All in all, an extension of like attracts like. This is a belief I have chosen - not necessarily the Truth. :-) When an inner situation is not
made conscious, it appears outside as fate. Carl G. Jung
What I'm interested in doing here, is taking many ideas on the meaning of karma, adding my own thoughts, and boiling things down in an easy to digest way which may be helpful to those of you sincerely seeking your soulmates. Introducing, if you will, a perspective you can adopt, if you choose, which can be used to 'see' your love life in a new way - a way to heal your past, commit to your present, and consciously create your life today - and beyond. Meaning of karmaFrom Your Dictionary (Sanskrit, deed)
Now, I disagree with the idea of fate and destiny, as this takes away our choice, and sorry! We always have choice. The idea of fate also creates fear. It's no wonder so many are scared of karma in the west! Here's more on the fate question: "Western scholars have often mistakenly viewed karma and fate
as the same concept.
Fate, however, is the belief that the path of one's life is established
by agencies outside oneself. Karma is the opposite, implying the
ability to alter one's path of life - in a future life if not the
present - by altering one's feelings and beliefs, and by engaging in
positive practices." Columbia
Encyclopedia
Implications for the meaning of karma? Day to day, I refer instead of fate, to 'opportunities'. I refer to 'probabilities', 'tendencies' and ultimately, the state of my life as the effect of my 'cumulative choices' over lifetimes. I believe that I have the power to change my life - when I make new choices. Yes in my love life, and in every area of my life! What do you choose to believe? What do others say about karma?Have gratefully found some interesting excerpts for you.Hindus and Buddhists believe that every action has consequences. The analogy that's often used is that of when a pebble falls into a pool, it produces rings that spread throughout the whole pool. In other words, our actions cause vibrations that affect not only this life but future lives, creating our karma stories. Karma - ahem - 'encourages' us - as long as it takes, to fully understand who and what we really are. "It
is not that we wrestle with God. It is that God wrestles with us and
says, in reverse of the words of Genesis 32, 'I will not let you go
until I bless you!' "
Feel free to interchange the word 'God' with universe, source energy, creative force, or whatever resonates with you. Quotes about karmaHere are some cool and compelling quotes on the meaning of karma.Compiled for you so you can read them on your screen easily - at a glance! No connection with punishment"Karma is a natural, impersonal law of moral cause and effect and has no connection with the idea of a supreme power that decrees punishment or forgiveness of sins." from Columbia EnclopediaTied to soul reincarnation"A (deliberate) good or bad deed leads a person's path in the appropriate direction. The ripening of the deed may take more than one lifetime, tying the agent to the cycle of rebirth." from Philosophy dictionaryTied to thoughts - and deedsEvery action, every thought, every idle word sets up reactions, according to the Universal Law. ... Nothing is lost or done in secret. ... Thoughts are things. John Van AukenInevitable consequences"It is impossible to escape these consequences and no one, not even the Buddha, has the power to forgive evil [thoughts, words or] deeds and short-circuit the consequences which inevitably follow."meaning of karma from Buddhism dictionary But we can do something about it!"One of the most distorted views of karma is the idea that nothing can be done about it. No matter how terrible our predicament, there is always something we can do, even if it's just dealing with it as best we can with a patient smile, a good attitude and a loving heart." John Van Auken, referring to the Edgar Cayce materialPower of forgiveness"If a soul, knowing another soul has wronged it, forgives that soul and holds no lingering resentment ... then one begins to receive mercy and forgiveness upon oneself. Now ... if the purpose for forgiving another is simply to obtain forgiveness for oneself, then little is gained. But if one truly forgives ... by understanding, through empathy and compassion, then there is no way one can avoid receiving forgiveness." John Van Auken, referring to the Edgar Cayce materialPath to completing the lessons of life"To achieve true liberation from the cycle of life, one must theoretically achieve total nonaction, total negation of karma." from Asian mythologySome (more!) karmic food for thoughtFor me, the meaning of karma calls to a deeper personal ideal: ultimate personal accountability. Forget arguing about the 'Truth' of it. That's like learning to run with your foot nailed to the floor.The question is: can being open to my own karma stories enhance my life, empower me, and possibly add something of value to the world? For a moment, imagine if karma does exist. Imagine that everyone bought in to the meaning of karma. Include politicians, business leaders, the folks in power... and our loves. Imagine if we were all accountable for our thoughts, deeds and actions not only in this life, but in future lives - and each of us knew that we were. Imagine karma, not as a punisher, but as a balancing force. A law we all lived by. Not in competition with other cultures... but in harmony and integrated with other ways. How would this change humanity's behaviors? Attitudes? Decisions? Policies? Actions? What would the world look like? How would we evolve? What would our position on oil be? On the environment? How can exploring karma and soul reincarnation enhance your life, and the lives of those you love? How can it empower you? How will it help folks cope with divorce? Understand your own love affairs... and ultimately the soulmate you wish to create? This, for me, is the most exciting potential... and the real meaning of karma. Karma gives us back ourselves. Whether a notion - or a fact - choosing to add karma to your menu of beliefs gives you the power... to create your life - and loves - the way you want, beautifully aligned with every action you take. Thanks for reading my take on the meaning of karma!Take me from Meaning of karma to: Clairvoyant Edgar Cayce - More fascinating facts about America's most documented psychic Forgiving infidelity - What does the Cayce readings have to say about the karma of infidelity? The answer might surprise you... Soulmate Site Home |