This weeks’ continuing topic for reflection is karma. Karma is similar to cause and effect yet different. Cause and effect follows the laws of physics without variation and can be measured and predicted. Karma is personal and is subject to free will or choice. Our karma gives us point of view, opinion, preferences and motivation. We get our karma from our family, society and environment. It is also uniquely ours. If we can catch ourself acting or motivated by karma we have the opportunity to see through it and loosen its grip on us.
One way to become aware of karma is to notice when our buttons are pushed. Something what drives me up the wall will not bother someone else at all. This is due to karma. There is something hiding in body and mind that was experienced in the past that is unresolved and still creating certain reactions. I’ve noticed these karmic experiences could have happened to my parents and then passed on to me unintentionally. People in different parts of the country have similar karma that they may or may not be aware of. Karma often comes with the belief that I am right and those who don’t see it like me are wrong.
Karma can cause tremendous problems and suffering. The thing about karma is it’s not actually stuck. It’s similar to habit. It’s inherently flexible and not the boss. The first step is to see it. Then recognize it as karma. If possible feel it intimately and discover where it comes from. Own it and take responsibility for it. Then have compassion for it and the suffering it has caused if it is harmful. Then realize it is not who we are. Then we can begin to live with more freedom and choice.
A lot of karma is subconscious and hides in our body/mind. It also shows up in plain site in the things we do, how we feel and how we react. Karma often causes us to do things that are embarrassing and surprising. To be human is to have karma. As Maezumi Roshi said, “Everyone has to stand someplace.” We can work at widening and enlarging the space of freedom or the opportunity of free choice and lessening the grip of karma. This takes courage, insight and compassion. And it’s so important.
Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, in person zazen at the McNail Riley House Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
Gassho,
Futai
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