More on Karma

A karmic perspective can help with a more peaceful adaptation in the world through its effect on how we view the attitudes, behavior and experiences of others. When we consider life experiences in terms of contexts for learning, we are less likely to be judgmental, to compare other people with ourselves, or to intervene in their lives prematurely and inappropriately. 

In truth, regardless of what we might believe or what values we might hold, we really have no idea what contexts other people require for their development. This includes our own children and other loved ones. 

The very idea that we all are here to grow should help us leave everyone alone to do what has to be done. Of course, our own experiences in the very same developmental process should season our observations with compassion, and guide us as to when an intervention is warranted. Too much protectiveness, bailing people out of the troubles they have caused and need to learn from, and thinking that we can walk another’s rightful path might only enable repetitive growth-inhibiting behavior  and encourage another cycle of suffering. 

Living life fully is necessary to get the full benefit of the contexts that we are in, and this includes the difficult experiences as well. Thus, if we ever question why we are going through all that we do, or looking back, why we behaved as we did, karma provides the answer. All of it is for our later use; all of it is meant to moves us along.  

On this basis, we may want to reconsider any negative connotations the law of karma might have in our minds. Many of us are used to thinking in terms of sin and punishment for behavior that does not meet certain standards. Plus, we have an inclination to superstition in our make-up and easily slip into false conclusions about unpleasant consequences to our choices of behavior. 

The fact of the matter is that contexts are learning devices, not punishments. When we misuse one, or misidentify it as something other than it is, we get to revisit it with the possibility that this time we will be ready to absorb its benefits. Like remedial classes or summer school, the developmental urge of consciousness provides us with the chance to learn the material and earn the credits for it that we had passed on before. 

Once we catch on to the karmic process by way of our growing conscious awareness, we will use the possibility of consequences and of having to go through another round of the same “stuff” in the future to motivate us to get things right this time. After all, if we did not enjoy it the first time around, we are not going to like it any better in lives to come. 

Besides, having already tasted the light-ness of higher consciousness, we will want to avoid any future slowing of our further progress in that direction. The bottom line in karma is to work efficiently now so no energy will have to be expended on remediation. 

So, recognizing karma as a matter of missed or misused opportunities is conducive to lightening the future load. From this point of view, we are able to become quickly aware of what we have done or not done and see how approaching it differently at this juncture could keep that particular karmic cycle from happening again, or at least minimize its later effect. And as a sort of bonus, when we recognize that we have done it better now than we might have in the past we find that we are more at one with life than ever.