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If there is one thing that I can say I am a true believer in, then I would have to say that it is Karma. The literal meaning of Karma is "the total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny." This spiritual concept comes from the Hindu religion. Although I am not Hindu, I respect elements of the religion. I try to keep an open mind about most religions, but especially the ones that do not impose their beliefs on people and cause them to react to the world as sheep. Growing up, I went to a private Catholic school. At the early age of eight or nine, I began questioning the meaning of faith and who was really responsible for the ultimate fate of human beings. I knew that I believed in a force in the universe which made the ocean waves flow and the seasons change but I did not believe it was a man sitting up above with a white beard and a thunder bolt to punish all who did not fear his mighty wrath. When I got to high school and college, I studied other spiritual philosophies on my own time. Taoism, Buddhism, and nature-based religions drew my interest because they seemed to be intensely spiritual and not as restricting or limiting as others. This does not make them any better. They are simply different in their concepts and perceptions of the world. When I began to study the meaning of Karma, I formed a simple interpretation in my mind: "what you put in you get out," or "what goes around comes around." I have seen Karma work in my life time and time again. Every action receives an equal or greater reaction. I think that life has a lot to teach us, and I have learned that I can make my life experience a more pleasant and abundant one if I pay attention to my mistakes and learn from them. I think the presence of mistakes is to challenge us all in life and to teach us, just as temptation is an obstacle that we can overcome. It is a test of true inner strength and will power. I once read a quote that said: "Life guarantees you two things. These two things are your birth and your death. How you chose to direct your inner self is what will determine the shape of your brief existence." What you do now will forever affect the course of your life. Life is full of decisions, and all of the results of your actions will come out in the end. "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." These words were spoken by Jesse Jackson. If you help and guide another person in need of support, you will also receive guidance and help in your life just when you need it most. You may not know when it will come, or in what form, but you will receive what you give out. A final thought that ties in with Karma is the concept of detachment. This is a very important truth. I believe that in life, it is not wise to buy into the illusion that we own anything at all or could possibly call something "ours." Nothing can be owned. We are only on this planet temporarily. When you are born, you come into this world with absolutely nothing. You are not yet conscious of how to behave or how to do all the things our parents and society tells us we must do. As you grow, you have the ability to shape your life according to your own free will. And when life has reached its final moment of completion, it is important to realize that you cannot take life's "luxuries" with you. The only things you can possibly take with you are the memories and feelings and emotions imprinted on your soul. These are what you will carry with you into eternity.  |
