Journey to Enlightenment Part 02

Author(s): Chitrabhanu, Nirmala Hanke
Publisher: Create Space

Page 59

Karma
January 2009
Given at the Lighthouse Center, 4 May 2008
Good morning. Every day I say "good morning" when I go for morning walk. One day a man was having problems with his wife, and so he said to me, “What is good about the morning?" He was honest about how he was feeling. What matters is what you feel. Feel what you feel and become aware of what you feel. That makes your day.
Today we are feeling good, so we say, “Namo Arihantanum.” This is a way of saying "good morning" in a language for people who want to have SelfRealization. Namo Arihantanum is a way of greeting the inside world from the outside world. “Ari" means all the inner weaknesses, “hantanum” means who has overcome. The world is full of weakness and strength; in a way the world is neutral. It is up to us. Make it or mar it. We are blessed. We understand and we can decide what to do and what not to do. Whatsoever happens is our own creation, knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously there is our consent.
We often say, "He made me unhappy" or "She makes me angry", we blame others because we are not aware of our own feelings. We make others scapegoat. In the olden days the goat was sacrificed in the temple. Instead of sacrificing our ego, we sacrifice a scapegoat. We are using other people as a scapegoat. But how can another person make you unhappy? When you can be with yourself, you will see yourself, see your own feelings as they come and go. This will help you to watch your own feelings and master them. This self-confidence will guide you to achieve your goal. Many philosophers have misunderstood the word karma. Freedom of action is karma. Some people say, "Oh, it's my karma, because of my karma I got this husband," or someone says "I got this wife".
What is philosophy of consciousness? It is the language of spirit within us, and karma is the action. Action is the capability of consciousness. What you feel inside, you speak. That gives shape to your words. Thoughts can be negative or positive or neutral. We color our thoughts according to our understanding and our emotions. When angry or upset, don't speak. It is better to keep silent. When someone is emotionally charged, don't fuel the fire, keep peace. It is better to be silent.
58 - Journey to Enlightenment - Volume Two