Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 An interesting article on Karma by Lindsay T yours in yoga ananda --------------------- Slaves of Love (An approach to understanding Karma) Western students have immense difficulty understanding the very Eastern concept of Karma. Too often it becomes absorbed into Judaeo-Christian (Zoroastrian originally) principles of good/bad, light/dark, God/Satan and all the other polar and binary oppositions. Had Newton been a philosopher instead of a mathematician and physicist he would have made an even greater contribution to Western society. His understanding of the Laws of action/re-action is very close indeed – notwithstanding his scientific disregard for the spiritual realm. Western students would serve themselves well to resist their cultural tendency to appreciate Karma (emotionally) as good and bad – it is a universal (not binary) Law of action seeking Harmony through re-action; or infinity’s dance toward perfect balance (or Pralaya) to which we/everything are inexorably headed. We are the result of Karma – the cycle of emergence, divergence and absorption – would we begrudge our own existence, or be fearful of the purpose of our lives? Difficult to explain, perhaps approaching the subject in the negative may make it easier to apprehend. The greatest obstacle to understanding Karma is the erroneous belief in the concept of ‘free will’ – has anyone ever analysed this most absurd proposition? If there really were such a thing as ‘free will’ then we would not suffer the consequences of our actions. What a tragedy that would be – a meaningless existence in a meaningless universe. Let me state quite emphatically, this universe knows exactly where it is headed but the ‘route’ is not predetermined. Therefore, there is meaning in the movement of arriving (Karma) – any perversion (toward permanent disintegration) in the universal flux meets with a re-balancing or correction. Humans experience this directive principle as pleasure or pain, discomfort/dis-ease etc. If there were such a thing as ‘free will’ we would be devoid of these experiences. I would mention here that fatalism or the notion that “it is written” (predetermination) is also an absurd proposition because it attempts to negate (in the opposite way) taking responsibility for our actions or that the universe follows a fixed course; which infers that Universal Creation is dull! Following any fixed pattern is death indeed. We are all acutely aware of the consequences of our actions – in thought word and deed. So, if there is no ‘free will’ or predetermination then what? We have freedom to choose and experience the consequences of those choices. And freedom ‘to know’ or learn from experience – we can do anything within our personal capability but we cannot avoid the consequences of our actions. We can learn from our experiences or repeat them until we do – but learn we must. Einstein was surely correct when he stated that “God does not play dice with the universe” – furthermore, Stephen Hawking is also correct when he stated that “Not only does God play dice with the universe, but sometimes he throws the dice where they can't be seen.” Einstein and Hawking omitted to mention that dice are thrown onto a ‘table’ with clearly defined (rules) Laws. An analogy may help to ‘weld’ these explanations together. Few have attempted to elucidate the full implications of Karma – for obvious reasons – the knowledge of Karma is beyond linguist apprehension. Nonetheless, an attempt is preferable to none. If we transpose the personal “freedom to choose” within a predetermined outcome (destination or final culmination) onto a universal model, we could use the analogy of snowfall. We all know that snow is nothing more than flakes/crystals of ice – with an interesting characteristic – the beautiful (Mandalic) geometric pattern in the snowflake is unique; never repeated exactly the same in any occurrence of snowfall. This Mandalic form represents our freedom to choose and adopt a unique approach or identity in the cosmic play – it is also the joy in which creation revels because nothing knows in advance what form each ‘ice crystal’ will take. Pralaya, or absorption achieved through perfect equilibrium, is always the outcome of universal creation. But the form (or character) in the (grand) pattern is different with each new creative cycle – whereas the Karmic Laws (of action/re-action) determining the outcome or culmination, remain inviolate. Karma is the governing principle for maintaining Harmony in the (creative) process. We are designed (not by accident) to be transceivers (receivers and transmitters) of universal Harmony. Is it not preferable to learn from Karma and surrender to our innate nature and discover for ourselves the Bliss and Joy that is our heritage. Or would we delay by opting for the ‘Prozac’ or ‘bottle’ etc, in order to temporarily avoid the pain of our perversities? Take ‘stock’ and learn – the earth’s weather patterns have been disrupted by pollution and environmental vandalism; the fury of nature re-balancing weather patterns will cost more (in destruction) than the profits of the Corporations who directly and indirectly created the imbalance – learn! Are we in any doubt that fear, hatred, selfishness etc., are creating all the social (and personal) conflict on the planet – learn! “We can learn from our experiences or repeat them until we do – but learn we must.” Endnote: I would never complete a paper with a ‘negative’ final remark, so I offer a solution to understanding Karma and the purpose of Creation. If you would seek release/liberation/freedom – then surrender perfectly. Interesting paradox – isn’t it? We are ONE. Om Tat Sat Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER 25,2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013 Tel: 0413 - 2622902 / 0413 -2241561 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/i_am_here vote. - Register online to vote today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Wonderful musings on Karma...Who is Lindsay T??? "Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Bhavanani" <yognat2001 wrote: An interesting article on Karma by Lindsay T yours in yoga ananda --------------------- Slaves of Love (An approach to understanding Karma) Western students have immense difficulty understanding the very Eastern concept of Karma. Too often it becomes absorbed into Judaeo-Christian (Zoroastrian originally) principles of good/bad, light/dark, God/Satan and all the other polar and binary oppositions. Had Newton been a philosopher instead of a mathematician and physicist he would have made an even greater contribution to Western society. His understanding of the Laws of action/re-action is very close indeed – notwithstanding his scientific disregard for the spiritual realm. Western students would serve themselves well to resist their cultural tendency to appreciate Karma (emotionally) as good and bad – it is a universal (not binary) Law of action seeking Harmony through re-action; or infinity’s dance toward perfect balance (or Pralaya) to which we/everything are inexorably headed. We are the result of Karma – the cycle of emergence, divergence and absorption – would we begrudge our own existence, or be fearful of the purpose of our lives? Difficult to explain, perhaps approaching the subject in the negative may make it easier to apprehend. The greatest obstacle to understanding Karma is the erroneous belief in the concept of ‘free will’ – has anyone ever analysed this most absurd proposition? If there really were such a thing as ‘free will’ then we would not suffer the consequences of our actions. What a tragedy that would be – a meaningless existence in a meaningless universe. Let me state quite emphatically, this universe knows exactly where it is headed but the ‘route’ is not predetermined. Therefore, there is meaning in the movement of arriving (Karma) – any perversion (toward permanent disintegration) in the universal flux meets with a re-balancing or correction. Humans experience this directive principle as pleasure or pain, discomfort/dis-ease etc. If there were such a thing as ‘free will’ we would be devoid of these experiences. I would mention here that fatalism or the notion that “it is written” (predetermination) is also an absurd proposition because it attempts to negate (in the opposite way) taking responsibility for our actions or that the universe follows a fixed course; which infers that Universal Creation is dull! Following any fixed pattern is death indeed. We are all acutely aware of the consequences of our actions – in thought word and deed. So, if there is no ‘free will’ or predetermination then what? We have freedom to choose and experience the consequences of those choices. And freedom ‘to know’ or learn from experience – we can do anything within our personal capability but we cannot avoid the consequences of our actions. We can learn from our experiences or repeat them until we do – but learn we must. Einstein was surely correct when he stated that “God does not play dice with the universe” – furthermore, Stephen Hawking is also correct when he stated that “Not only does God play dice with the universe, but sometimes he throws the dice where they can't be seen.” Einstein and Hawking omitted to mention that dice are thrown onto a ‘table’ with clearly defined (rules) Laws. An analogy may help to ‘weld’ these explanations together. Few have attempted to elucidate the full implications of Karma – for obvious reasons – the knowledge of Karma is beyond linguist apprehension. Nonetheless, an attempt is preferable to none. If we transpose the personal “freedom to choose” within a predetermined outcome (destination or final culmination) onto a universal model, we could use the analogy of snowfall. We all know that snow is nothing more than flakes/crystals of ice – with an interesting characteristic – the beautiful (Mandalic) geometric pattern in the snowflake is unique; never repeated exactly the same in any occurrence of snowfall. This Mandalic form represents our freedom to choose and adopt a unique approach or identity in the cosmic play – it is also the joy in which creation revels because nothing knows in advance what form each ‘ice crystal’ will take. Pralaya, or absorption achieved through perfect equilibrium, is always the outcome of universal creation. But the form (or character) in the (grand) pattern is different with each new creative cycle – whereas the Karmic Laws (of action/re-action) determining the outcome or culmination, remain inviolate. Karma is the governing principle for maintaining Harmony in the (creative) process. We are designed (not by accident) to be transceivers (receivers and transmitters) of universal Harmony. Is it not preferable to learn from Karma and surrender to our innate nature and discover for ourselves the Bliss and Joy that is our heritage. Or would we delay by opting for the ‘Prozac’ or ‘bottle’ etc, in order to temporarily avoid the pain of our perversities? Take ‘stock’ and learn – the earth’s weather patterns have been disrupted by pollution and environmental vandalism; the fury of nature re-balancing weather patterns will cost more (in destruction) than the profits of the Corporations who directly and indirectly created the imbalance – learn! Are we in any doubt that fear, hatred, selfishness etc., are creating all the social (and personal) conflict on the planet – learn! “We can learn from our experiences or repeat them until we do – but learn we must.” Endnote: I would never complete a paper with a ‘negative’ final remark, so I offer a solution to understanding Karma and the purpose of Creation. If you would seek release/liberation/freedom – then surrender perfectly. Interesting paradox – isn’t it? We are ONE. Om Tat Sat Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER 25,2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013 Tel: 0413 - 2622902 / 0413 -2241561 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/i_am_here vote. - Register online to vote today! "Health and Happiness are your birthright, claim them through Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga" -Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri YOGACHARYA GOWRISHANKARANANDA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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