Don’t say that you do, because if you did you would act differently. And so would I.
I think a majority of people would say that they believe in Karma, but our actions show that we truly do not think this has an actual lasting effect on us.
Let’s look at some of what the Worlds Teachers have tried to teach us:
The Buddha said “I am the owner of my karma . I inherit my karma. I am born of my karma. I am related to my karma. I live supported by my karma.
Whatever karma I create, whether good or evil, that I shall inherit.”
The Bible said “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7)
All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Confucius said “Tzu-kung asked, “Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life?”
Confucius answered, “Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
The Dalai Lama said “Some people misunderstand the concept of karma. They take the Buddha’s doctrine of the law of causality to mean that all is predetermined, that there is nothing that the individual can do. This is a total misunderstanding. The very term karma or action is a term of active force, which indicates that future events are within your own hands. Since action is a phenomenon that is committed by a person, a living being, it is within your own hands whether or not you engage in action.”
And the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) or similar variation of it, actually dates back to the Code of Hammurabi, (1780 BCE).
So, it would seem that for over 3000 years we have been getting a clear message about Karma. Therefore, good-will, good actions, right intentions, kind words, are critical to our present and future happiness.
Yet I don’t see myself or many others living by this principle. If we did, I believe there would be no more World Hunger. There would be no more political arguments. There would be no more abused children. There would be no more divorce.
And if this sounds like “pie in the sky”, I don’t think that it is.
It starts with me. Each one of us has the ability to change and grow. It’s not to late to change the World.
Let’s do this today, let’s start that change. Let’s produce good Karma every minute today, and see what happens. You have already started by reading this. Your mind has good intentions now. Keep it going!
May you be well, happy and peaceful.
