KARMA CURIOSITY

Karma is a curious thing. It is veiled in little mysteries and loathe to share its exact origins with its owner.

I have always believed in karma. I had thought I had seen in it in action on numerous occasions, and maybe I actually did; however, now I have to think a bit differently about it. Researching it more than I ever had previously, I came across information I had not known.

Seems there are two main schools of thought regarding karma. Short-term karma and long-term karma. The short-term kind is the here and now. We reap what we sow in this life. Treat others well and perform good deeds, and we will be rewarded with positive karma. Intentionally (intentional being key) hurting others and causing them pain or harm is paid back in this life. Unpleasantly. Religions or people who believe in reincarnation (which I do...I am such a liberal Christian) strongly believe in short-term karma, YET also believe in long-term karma that follows you through every life you have. Yes, each and every life. That was news to me.

So, I thought long and hard about that. It was a twist I had not expected to find when researching the concept. And finally it all seemed to fall into place. It makes sense.

Think about it. How many people do you know who have lived an exemplary life full of goodness and decency, yet they suffer indescribable maladies? And how many people do you know who are heartless and callous beasts who seemingly skate through life problem-free? We try to understand it. We say those cruel people have paved their own way to hell. And for those who have suffered inexplicably, we reassure ourselves that they have a ticket to Heaven.

But is that really true? Could it possibly be that long-term karma is the cause of such occurrences? It seems highly plausible to me. We are not who we were in a past life, but we might be experiencing the aftereffects of the life previously lived. And how we handle ourselves in this life might very well indicate the kind of life we will live in the next one. Until we get it right. Some may get it down perfect in just one or two lives. Others may go through dozens of lifetimes before getting it down pat. Then, a seat in Heaven at God's side is the reward.

I had to chuckle a bit when I had this next thought. When something good happens to me during this present life of mine, will I automatically believe it is because I am being a wonderful person? And when something bad happens, am I going to blame my past life for it? ::grin:: It would be very easy to go that route, and I suspect some people routinely justify their behavior by doing exactly that.

No one can say with certainty that karma does or does not exist. Just as no one can guarantee that God exists. It is all in what you feel in your heart and mind combined whether or not you believe. And I so believe.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
~Unknown