Q I would like to believe in karma. But is there any proof of it? And what evidence is there that we carry karma with us from one lifetime to the next? After my first Buddhist Advice Column last year, I received this query from a reader. It’s a wonderful question, and an important one. Each of us comes up against it at some time on our inner journey.
I have always thought of the Earth to be a place our souls come to learn certain universal truths that some refer to as life lessons that often take many lifetimes to understand fully…I remember seeing a bumper sticker that read “ Life is unfair but karma isn’t “ . I think in our thirst to become ONE again we realize it doesn’t matter how long it takes us to get there, we just know it’s our path so we do our best and we are kind and are mindful of the karma we are possibly creating…I read somewhere many years ago that illness is one way to relieve the soul of “ bad” karma and as a child I wondered if that’s why people perhaps unconsciously choose suffering over happiness.I was one of those kids who remembered past lifetimes so reincarnation was never a question for me….though my family had no idea what I was talking about…likewise with knowing about karma…there are lyrics of a song I heard once that said “ hey have your heard the news.? Heaven is 600,00 light years away but we’re all going to get there someday” …such is going home again …no matter how long it takes karmically speaking, we are walking each other home…❤️🌟🙏
I think karma is one of the reasons we can love another person or our pets so deeply. We have known them before. And belief in karma can help us not to judge ourselves or others too harshly and we don't always have to know why we or others act or feel a certain way. It is just a part and us and our past lives. And sometimes it helps me to just trust in the universe, to go with the flow and don't need to have all the answers.
Thank you David this article arrived just at the right moment and I am definitely aware of my own ability to see karma working in my life, it all makes perfect sense to me ❤️
I believe of children with the capacity to tune into past experiences, when I was around 10 years old, I remembered looking at my body in a funeral, I did not know what death was or a funeral. But even though now I remember the experience,
These blogs are so inspiring me to change & grow. I'm becoming increasingly serious and heartfelt in my practice, including daily living. I really need a teacher. You've done so well in giving me more understanding and I read books by HHDL, Shantideva, etc. but I need Songa.
This whole idea of Karma and how it relates to former lives I’ve lived is still a difficult concept for me, but I get “flashes” of understanding from time to time , and so I keep striving for better and deeper understanding. Your writings and offerings have helped me greatly. I feel the great need of a personal guru to help me progress along the way in a more meaningful and affirmative way. I live in the far north of northern Michigan - the Upper Peninsula. I jokingly refer to the area as a Frontier Outpost. I am 12 miles from the shore of Lake Superior. If you or any of your illustrious members of our wonderful cyber Sangha know of anyone I might contact, I would greatly appreciate that information. I have loved reading other’s comments and have learned much from them. I truly feel a part of an expansive group of like-minded people “‘round the world”. Thank you again, David, for leading us on this enlightening path.
Your comment about seeing past lives struck a chord with me. Growing up I always had this same dream. A little house in France in the bush, I could see the balcony and I feed the birds, I was a healer, and I saw the 3 men who came in & attacked me ending with my death. When my eldest son was 13 or so I told him this dream, he answered where you the old women in the bush or closer to the town. He told me he was there when I was killed he was lookout in the bush. The men killed him after me.
writing from Germany, I am following you for a couple of years, since I first read "Dalai Lamas Cat". This column about Karma is so much valuable for me. I try - for several years now - to live as a Buddhist would do, but I still "fail", because I don't try hard enough. (But I know that).
Anyway, my life started to get better, after I at least tried to "abandon harmfulness, cultivate goodness".
In some way, it seems to me, Karma is showing in so many different ways. E.g. I have lost so many cats in my life, but sometimes I get the feeling, some of them are trying to show up in a "different way" (hopefully everybody understands what I mean).
Thank you for sharing your insights, as always. Favorite section of this piece, "Ultimately, it is up to each one of us to weigh up the likelihood of different models of reality. Whether we opt for the karmic, theistic or ‘random universe’ model, I am sometimes struck by the recognition that the Buddha’s prescription for happiness remains true: abandon harmfulness, cultivate goodness, subdue your mind." 💜🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️
I have always thought of the Earth to be a place our souls come to learn certain universal truths that some refer to as life lessons that often take many lifetimes to understand fully…I remember seeing a bumper sticker that read “ Life is unfair but karma isn’t “ . I think in our thirst to become ONE again we realize it doesn’t matter how long it takes us to get there, we just know it’s our path so we do our best and we are kind and are mindful of the karma we are possibly creating…I read somewhere many years ago that illness is one way to relieve the soul of “ bad” karma and as a child I wondered if that’s why people perhaps unconsciously choose suffering over happiness.I was one of those kids who remembered past lifetimes so reincarnation was never a question for me….though my family had no idea what I was talking about…likewise with knowing about karma…there are lyrics of a song I heard once that said “ hey have your heard the news.? Heaven is 600,00 light years away but we’re all going to get there someday” …such is going home again …no matter how long it takes karmically speaking, we are walking each other home…❤️🌟🙏
I think karma is one of the reasons we can love another person or our pets so deeply. We have known them before. And belief in karma can help us not to judge ourselves or others too harshly and we don't always have to know why we or others act or feel a certain way. It is just a part and us and our past lives. And sometimes it helps me to just trust in the universe, to go with the flow and don't need to have all the answers.
Thank you David this article arrived just at the right moment and I am definitely aware of my own ability to see karma working in my life, it all makes perfect sense to me ❤️
Dearest David,
I believe of children with the capacity to tune into past experiences, when I was around 10 years old, I remembered looking at my body in a funeral, I did not know what death was or a funeral. But even though now I remember the experience,
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
Food for thought. I am glad I am in this 1,500 year trimester and not the next one (yet).
Thank you, David. I will definitely check out the site.
Very helpful, and also very inspiring for my practice. A deep bow of gratitude, David. 🙏🏼💖
These blogs are so inspiring me to change & grow. I'm becoming increasingly serious and heartfelt in my practice, including daily living. I really need a teacher. You've done so well in giving me more understanding and I read books by HHDL, Shantideva, etc. but I need Songa.
Thank you so much for all you've done.
Thank you for your latest post on karma, David.
RX : Daily Doses , Morning, Noon, Night & in between as necessary of the following . Abandon harmfulness, cultivate goodness, subdue your mind,
Refills Unlimited
Thank you, David
This whole idea of Karma and how it relates to former lives I’ve lived is still a difficult concept for me, but I get “flashes” of understanding from time to time , and so I keep striving for better and deeper understanding. Your writings and offerings have helped me greatly. I feel the great need of a personal guru to help me progress along the way in a more meaningful and affirmative way. I live in the far north of northern Michigan - the Upper Peninsula. I jokingly refer to the area as a Frontier Outpost. I am 12 miles from the shore of Lake Superior. If you or any of your illustrious members of our wonderful cyber Sangha know of anyone I might contact, I would greatly appreciate that information. I have loved reading other’s comments and have learned much from them. I truly feel a part of an expansive group of like-minded people “‘round the world”. Thank you again, David, for leading us on this enlightening path.
I suppose to live gently is the ideal.
This week is immensely hard as my dog is injured and I must inflict pain daily as I tend to his injury. It doesn't sit well with either of us...
Your comment about seeing past lives struck a chord with me. Growing up I always had this same dream. A little house in France in the bush, I could see the balcony and I feed the birds, I was a healer, and I saw the 3 men who came in & attacked me ending with my death. When my eldest son was 13 or so I told him this dream, he answered where you the old women in the bush or closer to the town. He told me he was there when I was killed he was lookout in the bush. The men killed him after me.
Hi David,Coum
writing from Germany, I am following you for a couple of years, since I first read "Dalai Lamas Cat". This column about Karma is so much valuable for me. I try - for several years now - to live as a Buddhist would do, but I still "fail", because I don't try hard enough. (But I know that).
Anyway, my life started to get better, after I at least tried to "abandon harmfulness, cultivate goodness".
In some way, it seems to me, Karma is showing in so many different ways. E.g. I have lost so many cats in my life, but sometimes I get the feeling, some of them are trying to show up in a "different way" (hopefully everybody understands what I mean).
Anyway, thank you for this column!
Thank you for sharing your insights, as always. Favorite section of this piece, "Ultimately, it is up to each one of us to weigh up the likelihood of different models of reality. Whether we opt for the karmic, theistic or ‘random universe’ model, I am sometimes struck by the recognition that the Buddha’s prescription for happiness remains true: abandon harmfulness, cultivate goodness, subdue your mind." 💜🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️