The notion of Karma & Dilemma

November 12, 2002

Hinduism is perceived more as a system of life rather than just religion due its

multidimentional philosophy and Vedh teachings (hardly any other beliefs have

such variety and depth in sacred scripts). One of the most aspiring and

debatable concept Hinduism elloborates is the theory of Karma. Despite the

simplicity, there is a great and offcourse lot of self-extracted definitions

and illustration of this notion as the use of these terminology in articles is

seems a fashion now a days. Many a times these explanations (by different

western laymen & authors) create dilemma in the mind.

As I am not hailed from Hindu backgroud, ( but I dont why so much interested in

it) want to know the clear, simple and widely accepted explantion of this

theory, If any of the list member can refer a good web link for this purpose

then I will be indepted to him.

It is often said that the different janm is journeys of soul for learning. Every

Janm is the result of our past Karm or what we had done in previous life. Sin's

penalty will have to bear ( in the form of ignorance, poverty, disease etc).

And the fruits of good karma will be gifted ( in the form of knowledge, wisdom,

health, longivity, affluence etc). But what happens when anyone leading a last

janm and does a mistake/bad karma because after that there is moksha for him.

And what will happen when a man completes its cylcle of janm, wether there are

total seven janm or may be more or less.

If this theory of birth cycle is universal then its mean, all of the mankind is

experiencing any janm. If every bith is the result of past birth then how first

bith can be defined.

Hope a hopeful response.

M.Imran

U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley &; videos from Greatest Hits CD

November 12, 2002

Hi Mohd.Imran

A very distinct observation! The question of first birth and initial

karma. If I am not mistaken, I believe Hindus and Buddhists believe

in the theory of beginningless time, where all of existence doesnt

run in a linear sense but in a loop.

I once read an article about creation and destruction where a guru

once said, The lord Vishnu sleeps; and with each exhalation of his

breath the world as we know it; is created. And with every intake of

breath creation is thus destroyed only to be re-created again with

his exhalation.

So I think, after the destruction of creation, the souls that have

not achieved perfection with "The Divine" is thus kept in a kind

hibernation mode. And with re-creationof reality again, one

essentially lives on again but still carrying the burden of

previously "stored karmic data". I am not sure if this is making any

sense but its how I understand it. This is how I believe

Astrology/planets affect us. Thats why, The major events of our lives

are difficult to change ( like birth, death, major illness ) and

remedials serve not to change effects of our karma, but to buffer its

ill effects ( eg a Major accident like say a Major Car Crash becomes

buffered to just a broken arm ) while the minor events are changable

giving us a chance to pay-up for un-purified past karmic actions.

I am not very learned in religion and philosophy, its just an idea of

something I read and how I understand it. What does everyone think?

Tenzin

vedic astrology, Muhammad Imran <astroimran> wrote:

>

> Respected Gurus & Friends

>

> Hinduism is perceived more as a system of life rather than just

religion due its multidimentional philosophy and Vedh teachings

(hardly any other beliefs have such variety and depth in sacred

scripts). One of the most aspiring and debatable concept Hinduism

elloborates is the theory of Karma. Despite the simplicity, there is

a great and offcourse lot of self-extracted definitions and

illustration of this notion as the use of these terminology in

articles is seems a fashion now a days. Many a times these

explanations (by different western laymen & authors) create dilemma

in the mind.

>

> As I am not hailed from Hindu backgroud, ( but I dont why so much

interested in it) want to know the clear, simple and widely accepted

explantion of this theory, If any of the list member can refer a good

web link for this purpose then I will be indepted to him.

>

> It is often said that the different janm is journeys of soul for

learning. Every Janm is the result of our past Karm or what we had

done in previous life. Sin's penalty will have to bear ( in the form

of ignorance, poverty, disease etc). And the fruits of good karma

will be gifted ( in the form of knowledge, wisdom, health, longivity,

affluence etc). But what happens when anyone leading a last janm and

does a mistake/bad karma because after that there is moksha for him.

And what will happen when a man completes its cylcle of janm, wether

there are total seven janm or may be more or less.

>

> If this theory of birth cycle is universal then its mean, all of

the mankind is experiencing any janm. If every bith is the result of

past birth then how first bith can be defined.

>

> Hope a hopeful response.

>

> M.Imran

>

> U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD

November 14, 2002

Dear Muhammad Imran,

I would like to put in a few words related to your query regarding

Karma and Rebirth. Karma is the affect of action, good or bad. The

results of which can accrue, either in this life or the next, or the

next couple of lives. The sum total of what we are in this life is

because of Karma. "We become what we were" God created this world, he

created the cosmos, the universe. When he created man, he gave him

"free will". HE gave us a choice, whether to use it for good or bad,

is totally up to us. Doing good will beget good, doing evil will beget

evil. The world is not a reality, it is God's dream. It is maya or

delusion. My gurudeva, Paramahansa Yogananda says that the lord weeps

to have put us in this world. At times he feels guilty about it. But

he knows in the end, no matter how long it takes, whether a million

incarnations, we are all headed into his ever-loving arms forever.

Suffering is a delusion, happiness is a delusion. The more you get

involved and attached to this world, the more we will suffer. God

doesnt want us to be attached to this world. He wants us to do our

duty but put the desire for him above all ohter desires. Those who

will keep the desire for god above all desires will reach him.

Suffering in this world can be terrible. Remember, behind the shadow

of suffering is the light of the divine mother. Everything in this

life is created by God to test us, he wants to see who can put the

desire for him above all other desires. He wants to be sure before he

can give his love to someone, that he really loves him from his heart.

Whatever your present state in life is do not worry. What you have

created, you can undo. We are not human, we are God who has become

human. We have the power to accomplish all we want in life. God will

never give us more than we are able to suffer. Whatever your present

condition is, he is with us, with every step. Why worry.

God loves you all,

Sunit Mehta

vedic astrology, Muhammad Imran <astroimran> wrote:

>

> Respected Gurus & Friends

>

> Hinduism is perceived more as a system of life rather than just

religion due its multidimentional philosophy and Vedh teachings

(hardly any other beliefs have such variety and depth in sacred

scripts). One of the most aspiring and debatable concept Hinduism

elloborates is the theory of Karma. Despite the simplicity, there is a

great and offcourse lot of self-extracted definitions and illustration

of this notion as the use of these terminology in articles is seems a

fashion now a days. Many a times these explanations (by different

western laymen & authors) create dilemma in the mind.

>

> As I am not hailed from Hindu backgroud, ( but I dont why so much

interested in it) want to know the clear, simple and widely accepted

explantion of this theory, If any of the list member can refer a good

web link for this purpose then I will be indepted to him.

>

> It is often said that the different janm is journeys of soul for

learning. Every Janm is the result of our past Karm or what we had

done in previous life. Sin's penalty will have to bear ( in the form

of ignorance, poverty, disease etc). And the fruits of good karma will

be gifted ( in the form of knowledge, wisdom, health, longivity,

affluence etc). But what happens when anyone leading a last janm and

does a mistake/bad karma because after that there is moksha for him.

And what will happen when a man completes its cylcle of janm, wether

there are total seven janm or may be more or less.

>

> If this theory of birth cycle is universal then its mean, all of the

mankind is experiencing any janm. If every bith is the result of past

birth then how first bith can be defined.

>

> Hope a hopeful response.

>

> M.Imran

>

> U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD

November 14, 2002

The translation and commentary on Bhagavat Gita by Paramahansa

Yogananda is the best english language Gita commentary & translation

available and one of the best in any language, comparable with the

commentaries of Sankara and Ramanujacharya. Paramahansa Yogananda

says he attuned himself with Vyasa and has given that Gita

commentary they way Vyasa perceived it. I am still reading it, but

from my readings so far, it is the best source to know about karma

and purpose of life and ways to attain enlightenment.

Imran, if possible, you can buy it from amazon.com (I do believe

they do international shipments).

-Siva.

vedic astrology, "hmm" <studd2hott> wrote:

> Dear Muhammad Imran,

> I would like to put in a few words related to your query regarding

> Karma and Rebirth. Karma is the affect of action, good or bad. The

> results of which can accrue, either in this life or the next, or

the

> next couple of lives. The sum total of what we are in this life is

> because of Karma. "We become what we were" God created this world,

he

> created the cosmos, the universe. When he created man, he gave him

> "free will". HE gave us a choice, whether to use it for good or

bad,

> is totally up to us. Doing good will beget good, doing evil will

beget

> evil. The world is not a reality, it is God's dream. It is maya or

> delusion. My gurudeva, Paramahansa Yogananda says that the lord

weeps

> to have put us in this world. At times he feels guilty about it.

But

> he knows in the end, no matter how long it takes, whether a million

> incarnations, we are all headed into his ever-loving arms forever.

> Suffering is a delusion, happiness is a delusion. The more you get

> involved and attached to this world, the more we will suffer. God

> doesnt want us to be attached to this world. He wants us to do our

> duty but put the desire for him above all ohter desires. Those who

> will keep the desire for god above all desires will reach him.

> Suffering in this world can be terrible. Remember, behind the

shadow

> of suffering is the light of the divine mother. Everything in this

> life is created by God to test us, he wants to see who can put the

> desire for him above all other desires. He wants to be sure before

he

> can give his love to someone, that he really loves him from his

heart.

> Whatever your present state in life is do not worry. What you have

> created, you can undo. We are not human, we are God who has become

> human. We have the power to accomplish all we want in life. God

will

> never give us more than we are able to suffer. Whatever your

present

> condition is, he is with us, with every step. Why worry.

> God loves you all,

> Sunit Mehta

>

> vedic astrology, Muhammad Imran <astroimran>

wrote:

> >

> > Respected Gurus & Friends

> >

> > Hinduism is perceived more as a system of life rather than just

> religion due its multidimentional philosophy and Vedh teachings

> (hardly any other beliefs have such variety and depth in sacred

> scripts). One of the most aspiring and debatable concept Hinduism

> elloborates is the theory of Karma. Despite the simplicity, there

is a

> great and offcourse lot of self-extracted definitions and

illustration

> of this notion as the use of these terminology in articles is

seems a

> fashion now a days. Many a times these explanations (by different

> western laymen & authors) create dilemma in the mind.

> >

> > As I am not hailed from Hindu backgroud, ( but I dont why so much

> interested in it) want to know the clear, simple and widely

accepted

> explantion of this theory, If any of the list member can refer a

good

> web link for this purpose then I will be indepted to him.

> >

> > It is often said that the different janm is journeys of soul for

> learning. Every Janm is the result of our past Karm or what we had

> done in previous life. Sin's penalty will have to bear ( in the

form

> of ignorance, poverty, disease etc). And the fruits of good karma

will

> be gifted ( in the form of knowledge, wisdom, health, longivity,

> affluence etc). But what happens when anyone leading a last janm

and

> does a mistake/bad karma because after that there is moksha for

him.

> And what will happen when a man completes its cylcle of janm,

wether

> there are total seven janm or may be more or less.

> >

> > If this theory of birth cycle is universal then its mean, all of

the

> mankind is experiencing any janm. If every bith is the result of

past

> birth then how first bith can be defined.

> >

> > Hope a hopeful response.

> >

> > M.Imran

> >

> > U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD

November 15, 2002

Dear Muhammad Imran,

The principle of Karma explains so many things that would otherwise

have remained unexplained! I agree with you completely that its

logical approach is what is so appealing.

This is what I understand about Karma.

Karma means actions. Actions can be good or bad. What action one

takes is totally under his/her control. So based on the choices one

makes in life, there would be good or bad karma accumulated. The

results of good and bad actions shall always be faced by atman.

Notice the explicit use of word "atman" which means "soul". A soul

can manifest itself into any body in any life and one may not face

the results of good/bad karma s/he gathered in the same life. The

point I am trying to make is that karma is attached to a soul. If I

did something terribly wrong in this life, I may have to suffer in

next life. So my whole next life, I would keep wondering "why is this

happening to me", "does not God like me?". Well, the answer is, you

are sowing what you must have reaped.

Anyways...coming to your tough question about is Karma cycle never

ending? The answer is definitely no. So the question then is, how

does the karma cycle end? Answer is through attaining Moksha. Moksha

is a stage where I believe a soul starts a new journey in yet another

universe that is more perfect than ours. Moksha is achieved when good

karma has nullified all the accumulated bad karma. So again one might

ask, what if the soul keeps entangling itself in bad karma and is

never able to gather good karma enough to nullify the bad karma? The

answer to that is, this would never happen. And here is why:

Hindu philosophy of life is that "life" is a learning experience for

a soul. This experience revolves around Karma. This means that a soul

commits a particular Karma, experiences its good or bad effects based

on the nature of Karma and learns that good happened because of the

good it did and bad happened because of the bad it did. At the end of

the day, meaning after spending multiple lives, the soul finally

learns that Moksha is the ultimate path to progress and happiness and

in order to achieve it, it has to have the right amount of good karma

to cancel its bad karma. The soul attempts towards gathering good

karma and finally attains Moksha.

I hope I have kept this simple enough to comprehend.

Best regards,

Reema.