KARMA and COMPASSION
Posted by Robin Easton
Do you believe in Karma? YES? NO? If so, then what does KARMA mean to you? Have you ever defined KARMA in terms of what it means to you? Or do you just have a vague sense of what it means? Here are some things people said when I asked them what Karma means.
“If I do something ‘bad’, I will later have to pay (in some way) for that ‘bad’ action.”
“KARMA is a universal type of order or balance.”
“Everyone knows what KARMA is; it’s the great law of the universe.”
“KARMA means that if you are suffering now it’s because you did something bad in a past life and you have to pay for it.”
Dictionary.com defines KARMA thusly: 1. Hinduism, Buddhism, action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation: in Hinduism one of the means of reaching Brahman. 2. Theosophy, the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person’s deeds in the previous incarnation. 3. fate; destiny 4. the good or bad emanations felt to be generated by someone or something.
Eventually I will share more in depth thoughts on KARMA, but for today I will say this. I grow concerned and it pains me when I hear someone say to a suffering person (someone who is having a hard time), “Boy, your working through some bad KARMA.”
For today, I hope we can be gentler with each other, more compassionate and less judgmental. Something more important than defining KARMA is that we always love and forgive ourselves and others, forgive all things. I believe we are ALL loved, always. In fact, we ARE love. So in light of that Deepak Chopra’s words on KARMA inspire me to act with compassion. Thank you, Deepak, for your caring.
“Is there some mystical reason why an innocent person becomes the target of evil? Of course not. People who talk about the karma of innocent victims, as if some hidden state is bringing down a reign of destruction, are speaking from ignorance. When an entire society engages in mass evil, outer chaos reflects inner turmoil. The shadow has erupted on a mass scale. When this happens innocent victims are caught in the storm; not because they have some hidden karma but because the storm is so overwhelming that it engulfs everyone.” ~ Deepak Chopra
So be gentle Earthlings; heaven knows we all need it. And things are not always as they seem.
From my heart,
Robin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
No related posts.
7 Comments so far...
Lilly Says:
15 March 2008 at 2:59 pm.
Wow, this post really speaks to me Robin. I had a very nasty experience while living in another country which nearly destroyed me. I guess I had never seen such evil up close and personal before. I have struggled with the whole issue of justice and why things happen to innocent people caught up in the storm. People have spoken to me about karma and the universe dealing with the issue. However, if I believed that then the next obvious thought is to believe that karma was also dealing with me. I struggled with that a long time trying to work out what sins I have committed to warrant that kind of treatment. I don’t really know why evil happens to innocent people. I have tried to do a lot of reading. Perhaps it’s a lesson we need to learn to force us to take different directions in life’s journey. None of us are immune to pain or challenges. I have not found the answers yet except I know I will never be the same person that I was. It has taken me a longer time to forgive myself than to forgive the perpetrator. However, I do know that in the long run, when the pain subsides some more, that may be a very good thing. Chopra’s words that ‘the storm is so overwhelming that it engulfs everyone’, is just how I felt in the situation. Powerless and drowning. That quote gave me a lot of comfort, thank you.
[Reply]
Robin Easton Says:
18 March 2008 at 3:49 pm.
Dearest Lilly, one could never doubt your goodness and beautiful spirit; it shines through every sincere word you write. Reading your deeply honest and touching thoughts I felt both loved and loving…connected. We need do nothing else, you and I, but remember…only…one…thing…ALWAYS love and forgive ourselves. From there all things can heal and flourish. Robin
[Reply]
Mel Says:
19 April 2008 at 7:15 pm.
Querida Robin,
I don’t use the word ‘karma’, but I do believe that when you act good and surround yourself with good people and good actions, when you do good, you get blessed.
I believe we don’t get more than we can carry on our backs, and that every painful moment, every problem and every hit are lessons (some of them extremely hard) that we could learn from to become better and bigger individuals.
I live in a country where poverty and all kind of injustice can be found, violence and pain all over, but also filled with great good hearted people, caring and loving, and willing to help to the fellow brother. Warm people with kind hearts that make life sweater.
I do believe that bad people end their lives alone and thinking about ‘what ifs’, and that is punishment enough.
Good people end their lives blessed with friends or family, remembered and loved, respected and admired. Good people touch the lives of others and leave a mark forever.
It is an honour to touch and leave a possitive mark in someone’s life, memories are the only thing left when we are ‘gone’.
I believe we should live making people laugh, learn, grow, we should teach and share, create and help, we should be aware of our gifts, talents and blessings and share them.
Thank you for sharing your talents and passions with us! 
[Reply]
Ricky Ferdon Says:
22 November 2011 at 11:35 am.
We are not “rewarded” or “punished” according to past deeds. These words indicate a judgement and sentence of sorts. There is no such thing based in love. We can prosper or suffer according to energy – that which we “hang around with” or the energy of a certain time and place. Too, we can protect ourselves from negative energies. And then, “good” and “bad” are of our own creation (opinion). Not so easy to translate into words. But yes, dear Robin, love and forgiveness reign over the rest. Namaste!
[Reply]
Trish Scott Says:
22 November 2011 at 12:43 pm.
I can’t wait to see your further thoughts on Karma.
My take on Karma; Cause and effect, like time, is just a handy idea that helps us get a handle on our largely mysterious existence. In fact karma and time do not exist. Like you Robin, we would all do well to just be nice to people, love everybody and be grateful for the opportunity to be here now in whatever condition we find ourselves in. Explanations are not at all necessary and always inadequate to reveal truth. There are no words that can explain the fundamental underlying reality. The trees do it well though in their song 
[Reply]
Tess The Bold Life Says:
22 November 2011 at 3:31 pm.
Robin,
What really bugs me is when people think sick people caused their illness. Nobody knows what the purpose is for one’s soul. Life is a mystery and we think we have to figure shit out all the time. Aughhh!
[Reply]
Stacey Says:
5 December 2011 at 3:13 pm.
I find that I am starting to leave behind the concept of Karma, at least in the way that most of society refers to it. It seems to me that Karma has just become another excuse for people. An excuse to be a victim, or an excuse to judge. How is this serving anyone?
When we expect the world around us to always be in a state of judgement, that is what we get to experience. By taking responsibility for ourselves once again, we are no longer subject to our inner or outer judgement.
[Reply]
