BS: What is this stuff - Karma?

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Fortunato
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 10:29 AM

Patrish,

IMHOP

Karma is rather like the placement of dominos in lines on end and the cause and effect interaction that results. Some dominos you may place, or affect, to some extent, the direction in which they fall. Most domino's placement and fall are beyond your ability to affect.

Therefore, act impeccably.

"When you have eaten, wash your bowl".

And when, inevitably, the dominos fall in a way you perceive to be negative, remember that one thing you can always affect is your response to events. That is, YOU CHOOSE how you think, feel, and behave in response to stimuli.

Do not expect divine intervention (positive or negative). Rather, perceive the on-going divine interaction.

Cheers, Fortunato.

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Morticia
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 10:13 AM

My karma just ran over your dogma....sorry, Patrish, couldn't resist.You know I am not out the other side yet of the worst year of my life, but I don't believe that something I did in this or any lifetime is responsible for that, I think shit happens....and sometimes it happens to good people who don't deserve it....but it still happens.

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 10:03 AM

There are different versions of karma, depending on your taste or religion. The standard theory is that it originated as a term used in public rituals prior to the advent of what could be called early Hinduism (roughly 1000 B.C.). Assume for the moment that public rituals mimic the structure of the universe (that is why they are held in sacred spaces, are oriented the way they are, etc.) in part in order to pay homage to the universe, but also with the idea that you might be able to move the universe around a bit through making a ritual pattern on earth that reflects a larger cosmic pattern. That pattern is sometimes called rta, or dharma. If you make a mistake during the ritual (like trip over your robes), that was considered to be karma, like a little piece of wrongness, or pollution, affecting the ritual. Now fast forward about 300 years. In the emerging cities of the Indian subcontinent, those large scale public rituals (tribal, involving animal sacrifice, etc.) begin to give way to private rituals and the idea of the individual. The way for an individual to do right is to follow their dharma (svadharma), and when they do things wrong, that do not adhere to the dharma, they create personal karma.

So, in early Hinduism, personal karma is a mechanical force, something that happens when you physically do something wrong. When Buddhism and Jainism and revised Hinduism come along, they emphasize not physical action, but intention. If you did not intend to kill that person, that it happened by accident, then you don't accrue karma. There are long and involved legal and religious disputes (as here, cf. no-fault insurance) about how much intention there has to be, if you generate karma just by being a normal unenlightened human being, etc.

The most important thing is that in contemporary Eastern thought, karma is not mechanistic. It should also be said that some religions, like Buddhism, are very sceptical about karma, for complicated reasons. You don't need to believe in karma or rebirth to be a Buddhist. You need it for some others.

Hope that helps.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: GUEST,djh
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 10:00 AM

I think it is probably that life is too big a picture to get in focus. Something rotten could have happened 10 years ago that leads to you standing in the right place next week or simply left you not standing in the worst possible place last week. I think it is also trail by fire, there are lessons that have to be learned the hard way. I think some of it is karmic retribution. I think there is a course plan designed specifically for you this time around.
I had a conversation just last week on this subject. I was wondering why I have been wrongly accused, even framed, an inordinate amount of times in this life.I know I sound like the only innocent guy in cell block A, but, really it is something that has followed me and it is something that has REALLY bothered me. Damned if I know why. I am pretty sure it has something to do with Faith and the lion's den. - Daniel

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 09:37 AM

Thanks G2S, You are probably right, I have been priviledged to receive support from some excellent friends. But to those who beleive in Karma I still pose the original question
Patrish xx

Subject: RE: BS: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 09:20 AM

Patrish,

I'm one of those people who believe everything happens for the best, and that there is a reason for it. This simple belief has enabled me to get through some pretty tough times.

I can't tell you how many times I would be in a situation that was good fortune -- and then I would realize...had not that other crappy thing happened, I wouldn't be here now enjoying this wonderful thing.

That didn't answer your question. Sorry.

Subject: What is this stuff - Karma?
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 09:17 AM

I was just wondering about Karma, I know that if you do something bad then something bad happens to you, and if you do something good and so on.
But it gets you thinking that when bad stuff happens that you are in some way responsible for it. I have had a bit of a shi** year. Why?
A bit green, a bit of a mug maybe but not a bad person, I just wonder if anyone can offer an explaination.
love
Patrish xxx

PS When things look dark, hold your head up high so it can rain up your nose!