Phillip/kundalini-digest V1 #130

[Guest guest]

At 02:18 PM 4/17/99 -0500, you wrote:

>"Phillip Burton" <p_burton

>

>Can we go into this a little more, Tim?

>

>This comment of yours about Albanians suffering for their past Karma is

>just a little troubling, as it implies a whole can of worms. Does it mean

>that Albanians are discrete and permanent "souls" that reincarnate to reap

>their reward?

 

No, it means that ALL people (unenlightened/who are on the wheel of "death

and rebirth") either suffer or enjoy the karmas of previous lifetimes.

Karma is a universal law like gravity, and isn't only limited to suffering.

Karma can involve this life or previous lifetimes. As long as the

illusion of ego is maintained, karma remains in effect over this lifetime

and previous and future lifetimes. If ego is transcended (through moksha),

so is karma. That's precisely why Moksha is "liberation" (ever wonder what

we are liberated FROM?) The reason we die and are reborn is a result of

the law of karma as well - death and rebirth are a result of the need to

work out karma (good or bad). Moksha is liberation from all karma, and

thus there is no further reason for rebirth after this lifetime is over

(although the remaining karma of the current lifetime must play itself out).

>If that's it then my "soul" can look at the question with a

>degree of aloofness and even apathy.

 

Buddhists believe it's possible to help others with their karma (to take on

the burden of other's karma), as well as uplift others so their karma is

better. Supposedly that's what happened with Jesus dying on the cross...

he took on the karma of his followers and disciples by dying for them in

agony. Also, it's considered "good karma" (personally) to uplift and help

others. Karma is not a reason for aloofness and apathy; quite the

contrary... it's a reason for compassion and aid to others, as well as

personal vigilance to make sure you either create only good karma for

yourself, or none at all (until Moksha).

>I don't want this to escalate into another verbal squabble, but let's just

>say that attitude is perplexing. What if it's the case that others suffer

>because of *my* actions?

 

Then *YOU* reap the karma of causing that suffering, either now or later.

It will come due eventually.

 

A lot of what karma consists of depends on intention as well. For example,

if you kill someone in self-defense, that would not be negative karma,

because you were defending yourself and had no choice. However, if you

killed someone for personal gain, that would be negative karma.

 

Coincidentally, Gemini posted a treatise on karma on the

list. It hasn't gotten to the digest yet (it was just this morning) but

you may want to examine it later (tomorrow?). I deleted it, so I no longer

have it in my box. You may want to Email Gemini (currwamp) for a

copy. I CC'd this to him, maybe he'll send it to you.

 

Hari OM,

 

Tim

 

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