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 ❤️
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.
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).
David, thanks again for a wonderful discourse on karma! A very important topic, for sure. Gives us reason to be kind, compassionate, etc as the Buddha teaches. Because if you aren't it WILL come back at you! And, we all just want to be happy!
I also feel karma may explain many things .... how is a "child prodigy" possible? Why do some people learn things more quickly ( or not at all) than others? Why do some people "have it easy", and others struggle so? I believe it is all a result of past action....Karma.
Your book "The Day Karma Happened" also has excellent examples of how the results of our actions affect us. Excellent read!
An avid fan, your wonderful creation HHC was my first dharma teacher. Now a dedicated student and practitioner of the Bodhisattva path I’m still an avid fan.
Your novel, Instant Karma, reflects my own experience of karma far better than anything else I’ve ever come across. I’m keenly aware of the karmic cause and effect relationship in my moment to moment experiences. I view it as a gift. My very own internal ‘precious gift’ that instantly informs me that I have stepped off the path. Or that I’m merely thinking of something ‘off’ the path.
Because of this very personal and very direct inner experience I have no doubt that karma exists. Mostly it’s not fun, but I’m a better practitioner and a better person for these experiences of being guided by my very own ‘instant karma’.
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.
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…❤️🌟🙏
Hello Adrienne,
After I began meditating I experienced my former lifetimes. I was in my early twenties and it clarified a great deal for me.
How fortunate you are to have come in with this information. Talk about good karma!
Thank you for your sharing.
🙏🏻
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts from your own journey, Adrienne!
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.
I agree that we cvertainly don't have all the answers, Trisha. We can only do our best and then let go.
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 ❤️
So glad to hear this, thanks Annette!
Very helpful, and also very inspiring for my practice. A deep bow of gratitude, David. 🙏🏼💖
So glad to hear this Sharadha!
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.
My sincere thanks for your kind message, Susan. There is a site that may be helpful for identifying the centers closest to you: buddhanet.net
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!
I am very grateful for you taking the time to write in English, Annette! Warmest wishing on your Dharma journey.
David, thanks again for a wonderful discourse on karma! A very important topic, for sure. Gives us reason to be kind, compassionate, etc as the Buddha teaches. Because if you aren't it WILL come back at you! And, we all just want to be happy!
I also feel karma may explain many things .... how is a "child prodigy" possible? Why do some people learn things more quickly ( or not at all) than others? Why do some people "have it easy", and others struggle so? I believe it is all a result of past action....Karma.
Your book "The Day Karma Happened" also has excellent examples of how the results of our actions affect us. Excellent read!
Again, thank you ❤🙏❤🙏
My heartfelt thanks for your kind message, Marianne. I am so glad that you enjoyed Instant Karma!
So good.
Hello David,
Does karma exist, what a great question.
An avid fan, your wonderful creation HHC was my first dharma teacher. Now a dedicated student and practitioner of the Bodhisattva path I’m still an avid fan.
Your novel, Instant Karma, reflects my own experience of karma far better than anything else I’ve ever come across. I’m keenly aware of the karmic cause and effect relationship in my moment to moment experiences. I view it as a gift. My very own internal ‘precious gift’ that instantly informs me that I have stepped off the path. Or that I’m merely thinking of something ‘off’ the path.
Because of this very personal and very direct inner experience I have no doubt that karma exists. Mostly it’s not fun, but I’m a better practitioner and a better person for these experiences of being guided by my very own ‘instant karma’.
I am so grateful for your very kind message - thank you Maggie!
Always good to read about your learnings. Off to order 'The Claw of Attraction'; somehow I missed the fact that it had launched. Congratulations!.
Many thanks indeed, Candi!
Dear David,
Thank you very much for your wonderful explanation.
My pleasure, thank you Ayelet!
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
An interesting experience, thanks for sharing Rossy.
Food for thought. I am glad I am in this 1,500 year trimester and not the next one (yet).
Indeed, Chris! Who knows what we were up to in the first one!
Thank you, David. I will definitely check out the site.
My pleasure Susan.
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.
We all need the guru/Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, Penelope. Sometimes likened to a doctor, medicine and nurse.
Thank you for your latest post on karma, David.
Pleasure thanks Wendy.