A most simple/difficult word to put in and understand in my western brought up mind. Small steps are gradually infiltrating the fog that’s been my mind.
I enjoyed your post today very much. I've read your book Instant Karma and it is one of my favorites! I learned a lot from it. It helped change my perspectives and understandings of me. Thank you 🙏🤗
Thank you, David. Probably the simplest explanation of karma so that I can now, actually understand.
And this, on meditation: "If we accept that reality is mind’s projection, then if we wish to change our personal movie, we must break into the projection room and replace what we’re screening for something more uplifting." Another wonderfully simple analogy. And as John says - it all pierces the fog.
This is very clarifying and helpful. The concept that all experience, etc has meaning, ie a manifestation of a ‘held thought, subjective, and from our mental library that comes from the appearance of our internalizing of perceived human ‘reality’, is a helpful definition of Karma. It is a manifestation of thought, meaning, rather than cause and effect that shows most of our life as a projection of each individual personal mental library.
Yes, we need to see those thoughts, by asking the Questions from the writings and teachings of Thomas Hora, Existential Metapsychiatry. “What is the meaning of what seems to be?”
Next and back to you, we need to learn how to snip those troublesome thoughts and live in harmony with “What Is, What really Is”.
Thank-you for a better and fuller understanding of Karma.
Thanks for sharing this update from Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, I really love Summer and now Maggie, it is a baby, so it is great she has bonded with Norah and Anabelle, I hope we will hear more about them.
Dear David. Thank-you for another meaty essay to chew over. I have so many thoughts!
I can see the relevance of karma as the culmination of thoughts. I always simplistically thought of it as “do unto others”.
I understand why Buddhism has embraced quantum theory. It aligns with its teachings.
I must say that the aches and pains of my aging body feel very real, and I don’t seem to be able to meditate them away. If this bucket of bones is an illusion of my mind, I need to adjust the feed!
Only one way to find out, and that’s die.
The comment about group hysteria is interesting. I have noticed that, generally, no one wants to admit that the event or meal they have just indulged was a WOFTAM ( waste of flipping time and money), so everyone gushes about how wonderful to was!
Perhaps the film The Matrix was not a creation of an artist’s mind so much as a reveal of reality!
Or I have probably got the horns by the bull again.
Your comments always make me chuckle, Chris! I should just note that there is no suggestion that our bodies don't exist, nor that the pain we feel doesn't exist. But HOW the body and pain exists is the thing. We don't tend to think of our bodies as dependent, to varying extents on our minds, but all the body dysmorphia in this world (eg. slim women believing they are overweight) shows how this is indeed true.
This post is so rich, I look forward to reading it in the morning again, when I'm sharper.
I'm going to cat sit at a home on acreage with woods. It reminds me a lot of Masuwe Lodge. They have a watering place with salt and other mineral licker for the deer and other visitors.
I plan to make it into a Mindful Safari inward. I'll take books and such to help me remember how sacred the triple gems are. My life is so rich.
I've listened to Instant Karma several times, and always delight in it. I encourage everyone to read it. It's not simply a story.
Thanks for the news of Maggie. You know how much I loved being to meet Nora, and Summer last summer. How much my heart fills with love for them all.
As others have noted, the metaphor of the rope is wonderful and truly provides a handle to grasp the idea of karma (no pun intended). I immediately went to your book because further illustrations like those in the Dalai Lama's Cat series always bring home to me the concepts more clearly. You are a marvel David, thank you. Plus I do love hearing and reading about the ellie's and their survival and caring for each other.
This is particularly excellent!...or that is how I have perceived it......Thank you, David for explaining karma and it's root cause, in a way I am able to grasp more thoroughly now.
David, you have a great gift with your ability to explain concepts that might turn out to be difficult to understand for us Westerners! I thought to be rather familiar to the concept of Karma, but the definition by Vasubhandu and your explanation have astonished and fascinated me.
I was happy to read about Maggie, what a delicious creature ❤️ Thank you David, for this most precious post 🙏🏻
Thank you David. Having been aware the “untangling of threads “, as I have always called it, is something that is done consciously here in my life very often…the awareness goes deep and I smile when even a necklace gets tangled and I have to make it right again that I am really aware this is more than a necklace I am untangling…perhaps it’s just thoughts that I don’t need anymore that I’m untangling from my mind…On a separate note, First Summer, now Maggie…best sister friends I imagine for life…How very sweet to know of them in this world and to love them 7000 miles away so dearly as I do!🐘💕🐘
I enjoyed reading and listening to this post. So much to think about but the idea of ‘group karma’ really tweaked my interest especially with all the suffering taking place around the world that is constantly in the headlines. How does group karma emanate ? How does it relate to countries in conflict that perhaps 2 or 3 years ago offered their people normal lives where one could work, put food on the table, go to school, enjoy family and friends and live in a home with running water and heating. Any suggestions on what to read to help me understand how things can change so dramatically from one day to the next for people living in such countries.
Hi Michele, I can't point you in the direction of a book specifically about group karma. It doesn't apply only to countries of course. Our friends, class/workmates, people who live in the same communities, even those we may find ourselves on the same aircraft with - all of these are examples of group karma. It is not so much an emanation, as causes we have created in the past that mean we are forced to experience reality a particular way.
Thankyou David. More questions now spring to mind 😱… with not having access to a local Buddhist group or like minded traveller I only hope that some of my previous actions will result in my crossing paths with a guru / tribe (preferably sooner rather than later) to help me understand what is unraveling to be a wonderful way of looking at reality.
Such wisdom. Am working hard on that rope! What a great metaphor! 💕🐘
So glad that you found it helpful, Roxy! Always a joy to hear from you!
I’ll join the others in saying thankyou.
A most simple/difficult word to put in and understand in my western brought up mind. Small steps are gradually infiltrating the fog that’s been my mind.
Thanks mate. 👍🙏✔️
My pleasure, John. Like you say, 'karma' is a word often said and usually misunderstood!
👍🙏✔️
I enjoyed your post today very much. I've read your book Instant Karma and it is one of my favorites! I learned a lot from it. It helped change my perspectives and understandings of me. Thank you 🙏🤗
I also I've read your book Instant Karma, is excellent.
Thanks for sharing
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
Really glad you enjoyed it, Rossy!
So glad you enjoyed the post - and the book, Tracey! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you, David. Probably the simplest explanation of karma so that I can now, actually understand.
And this, on meditation: "If we accept that reality is mind’s projection, then if we wish to change our personal movie, we must break into the projection room and replace what we’re screening for something more uplifting." Another wonderfully simple analogy. And as John says - it all pierces the fog.
I am really so glad that these helpful metaphors - none of them my own - help move on your understanding, Prue!
David,
This is very clarifying and helpful. The concept that all experience, etc has meaning, ie a manifestation of a ‘held thought, subjective, and from our mental library that comes from the appearance of our internalizing of perceived human ‘reality’, is a helpful definition of Karma. It is a manifestation of thought, meaning, rather than cause and effect that shows most of our life as a projection of each individual personal mental library.
Yes, we need to see those thoughts, by asking the Questions from the writings and teachings of Thomas Hora, Existential Metapsychiatry. “What is the meaning of what seems to be?”
Next and back to you, we need to learn how to snip those troublesome thoughts and live in harmony with “What Is, What really Is”.
Thank-you for a better and fuller understanding of Karma.
Susan Fisher
Many thanks for your thoughtful reply, Susan, and I am so glad the article chimed with you!
This wonderful essay on Karma prompted me to re-read Instant Karma😍😍. Even better read this time!! Many thanks for all you do and share. 🙏🏽🪷☀️
Thanks so much for your kind message, Diane!
So enlightening and uplifting, thank you so much David.
I look forward to your posts each week, and love the animal updates too. What a wonderful job the caters do. Anne 💜
I agree, Anne, they are true bodhisattvas!
Dearest David,
Thanks for sharing this update from Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, I really love Summer and now Maggie, it is a baby, so it is great she has bonded with Norah and Anabelle, I hope we will hear more about them.
Rossy Cortes
Greetings from Mexico
Thanks so much Rossy! We all look forward to more intriguing updates from Wild is Life in Zim!
Thank you for this enlightening explanation of Karma. The definition alone is clarifying.
A big thank you for sharing the work to rescue Maggie. 🐘
So happy that you find it usefu, thanks Linda!
Dear David. Thank-you for another meaty essay to chew over. I have so many thoughts!
I can see the relevance of karma as the culmination of thoughts. I always simplistically thought of it as “do unto others”.
I understand why Buddhism has embraced quantum theory. It aligns with its teachings.
I must say that the aches and pains of my aging body feel very real, and I don’t seem to be able to meditate them away. If this bucket of bones is an illusion of my mind, I need to adjust the feed!
Only one way to find out, and that’s die.
The comment about group hysteria is interesting. I have noticed that, generally, no one wants to admit that the event or meal they have just indulged was a WOFTAM ( waste of flipping time and money), so everyone gushes about how wonderful to was!
Perhaps the film The Matrix was not a creation of an artist’s mind so much as a reveal of reality!
Or I have probably got the horns by the bull again.
Seasons greetings, Chris
Your comments always make me chuckle, Chris! I should just note that there is no suggestion that our bodies don't exist, nor that the pain we feel doesn't exist. But HOW the body and pain exists is the thing. We don't tend to think of our bodies as dependent, to varying extents on our minds, but all the body dysmorphia in this world (eg. slim women believing they are overweight) shows how this is indeed true.
This post is so rich, I look forward to reading it in the morning again, when I'm sharper.
I'm going to cat sit at a home on acreage with woods. It reminds me a lot of Masuwe Lodge. They have a watering place with salt and other mineral licker for the deer and other visitors.
I plan to make it into a Mindful Safari inward. I'll take books and such to help me remember how sacred the triple gems are. My life is so rich.
I've listened to Instant Karma several times, and always delight in it. I encourage everyone to read it. It's not simply a story.
Thanks for the news of Maggie. You know how much I loved being to meet Nora, and Summer last summer. How much my heart fills with love for them all.
It is always wonderful to hear from you, thank you Penelope! We all need our own personal Masuwe Lodge!
As others have noted, the metaphor of the rope is wonderful and truly provides a handle to grasp the idea of karma (no pun intended). I immediately went to your book because further illustrations like those in the Dalai Lama's Cat series always bring home to me the concepts more clearly. You are a marvel David, thank you. Plus I do love hearing and reading about the ellie's and their survival and caring for each other.
My heartfelt thanks for your beautiful message, Cat!
This is particularly excellent!...or that is how I have perceived it......Thank you, David for explaining karma and it's root cause, in a way I am able to grasp more thoroughly now.
Really glad to have been of service, thank you Kate! Keep cool!
David, you have a great gift with your ability to explain concepts that might turn out to be difficult to understand for us Westerners! I thought to be rather familiar to the concept of Karma, but the definition by Vasubhandu and your explanation have astonished and fascinated me.
I was happy to read about Maggie, what a delicious creature ❤️ Thank you David, for this most precious post 🙏🏻
I am so glad to have helped offer further depth to your understanding, Susanna!
Thank you David. Having been aware the “untangling of threads “, as I have always called it, is something that is done consciously here in my life very often…the awareness goes deep and I smile when even a necklace gets tangled and I have to make it right again that I am really aware this is more than a necklace I am untangling…perhaps it’s just thoughts that I don’t need anymore that I’m untangling from my mind…On a separate note, First Summer, now Maggie…best sister friends I imagine for life…How very sweet to know of them in this world and to love them 7000 miles away so dearly as I do!🐘💕🐘
Your messages are always so filled with love Adrienne!
I enjoyed reading and listening to this post. So much to think about but the idea of ‘group karma’ really tweaked my interest especially with all the suffering taking place around the world that is constantly in the headlines. How does group karma emanate ? How does it relate to countries in conflict that perhaps 2 or 3 years ago offered their people normal lives where one could work, put food on the table, go to school, enjoy family and friends and live in a home with running water and heating. Any suggestions on what to read to help me understand how things can change so dramatically from one day to the next for people living in such countries.
Hi Michele, I can't point you in the direction of a book specifically about group karma. It doesn't apply only to countries of course. Our friends, class/workmates, people who live in the same communities, even those we may find ourselves on the same aircraft with - all of these are examples of group karma. It is not so much an emanation, as causes we have created in the past that mean we are forced to experience reality a particular way.
Thankyou David. More questions now spring to mind 😱… with not having access to a local Buddhist group or like minded traveller I only hope that some of my previous actions will result in my crossing paths with a guru / tribe (preferably sooner rather than later) to help me understand what is unraveling to be a wonderful way of looking at reality.