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KARMA - THE MECHANISM
SUTRAS
Equanimity means not to become unbalanced at the occurrence of either negative or positive events.
Our own emotional attachment to particular themes of life is the prime cause for the manifestation of inner and outer events. Once we begin to really understand this, we acquire a sovereign attitude that prevents emotional reactions - which these events occasionally trigger within us - from fundamentally disturbing our inner balance.
Once we understand the foolishness of making unpleasant situations more uncomfortable by creating further negative emotions, we have progressed considerably towards controlling our karmic environment.
Restoring equanimity after we lost it - As long as we are subject to karmic mechanisms, all kinds of external or internal events may trigger strong passionate reactions within us. These intense emotions can easily overshadow our awareness so completely that we lose our ability to discriminate and decide reasonably.
An effort to restore our equanimity becomes only possible when our awareness is not totally dominated by the karmic manifestation any more. At this point in time we usually see the absurdity of our reaction, but are still under the sway of strong (negative) emotions (e.g. jealousy) that impede part of our consciousness. If at this time we make a conscious effort to regain our equanimity - even though it may hurt our pride etc. - we build up a dynamic momentum that will eventually enable us to control any karmic manifestation.
Striving for equanimity and its restoration does not mean to constantly observe and discipline all our life and emotions. Apart from the fact that this is impossible - especially during the onset of strong karmic domination - it would diminish our creativity and spontaneity so thoroughly that all new experiences and any expansion of consciousness would be blocked.
Regaining equanimity means to overcome our own pride, anger, irritation etc. at the manifestation of karma. It means to consciously decide not to prolong negative emotions. It means to consciously de
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