In Buddhism karma goes much deeper than just our actions and results of our actions. It's also influenced by 'emptiness.' This is where trying to explain some phenomena with words alone is futile, I'm sure you know what I mean. I remember asking the Lama at my local Buddhist centre if he could explain emptiness and karma as I just couldnt get my head around it. He told me, you cant get from a to z without going through the rest of the alphabet.....similarly, there is no shortcut to realising emptiness, you have to study and learn. At that centre there is a course on karma and emptiness, the introduction course takes three months. Needless to say, it would be difficult to even scratch the surface on here.
Karma is a Sanskrit word meaning action. Our actions set into motion the law of cause and effect. In the west we think of karma as the result of our actions but in eastern philosophy, buddhism in particular the use of the word karma refers to the action, the effects are the results or fruits of karma....
"The theory of karma should not be confused with so-called 'moral justice' or 'reward and punishment'. The idea of moral justice, or reward and punishment, arises out of the conception of a supreme being, a God, who sits in judgment, who is a law-giver and who decides what is right and wrong. The term 'justice' is ambiguous and dangerous, and in its name more harm than good is done to humanity. The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect, of action and reaction; it is a natural law, which has nothing to do with the idea of justice or reward and punishment."
I like this quote that kind of sums it up...
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."
All the Buddhist centres I've stayed have been in the uk withe the exception of one which was in Spain. I usually spend one or two weeks there, sometimes do a working week which pays for my room and meals. The people who stay there are from around the globe and conversation is always very interesting and invigorating. The pujas in the evenings are always very uplifting and interactions with the residents, the monks and the nuns is quite often great fun. I was at one stage thinking of taking up residency at the centre near York, Madhyamaka, but decided that regular visits would be better.
Not sure how the headbanger emot appeared but somehow maybe it was fitting. I first heard about the dark night of the soul many years ago. It can be a very frightening experience. It's actually similar to something you mentioned earlier. An overload of information could send someone insane. Some people can find themselves in a very dark place through meditation and looking within. This is why correct guidance and reliable teaching is important. The other issue is, from my experiences spent living in Buddhist centres, there is a tendency for them to attract people who are going through a life crises and maybe the intensity of such introspection without close monitoring is not best for them at that time. I guess it's like trying to learn how to swim when youre already in deep water.
My friends from the BK (Brahama Kamaris) would say, that's because youre a 'new soul,' this is your first visit. I've never really gone along with that, it put's too much on the wotd soul. But some people are definately more receptive to spiritual teachings than others. Not entirely sure why.
You are so far off the truth, in fact being 'inside your head" is quite the opposite to meditation. I see people walking around inside theirs heads every day....they never look up, never observe, they are numb,it's quite sad really.
I guess the term you're looking for is 'spiritually aware' enlightened is another thing altogether. One of the differences between being spiritually aware and being religeous is unlike many religeous people we dont try to convert. I believe everone is a spiritual being but not all are aware that they are. Maybe one day you might become aware, in fact I think given your apparent interest, you may have already started off on that journey without even realising it, sometimes that's how it happens.
Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.
It is your forgiveness that will bring the world of darkness to the light. It is your forgiveness that lets you recognize the light in which you see. …
Spiritual awaness has nothing to do with an ability to reason or figure things out. It has nothing to do with intelect or intelligence, reasoning and inderstanding, it's a state of awarness. It doen't make you clever or smart, it doesn't even necessarily make you happy, sometimes quite the opposite, (the dark night of the soul) But what it does do is point you in a direction towards clarity, to see through different eyes. But it takes time and effort which for most will eventually become truly life changing.
bodleing2 Forum Posts (6,132)
RE: Lets talk about love
I like it because it's done completely different from the original.