Karma the Mechanism

Author(s): Hermann Kuhn
Publisher: Crosswind Publishing Germany

Page 31

KARMA - THE MECHANISM
SUTRAS
Yet while it is basically true that our intentions determine whether an action, thought or word produces positive (punya) or negative (paapa) karma for us, this would ultimately mean that any positive intention - no matter where it is aimed - would justify killing, stealing, deception etc. as well.
But there exists one criterion that takes the relativity out of the concepts of 'good' and 'bad': - That what supports our inner growth, what removes obstacles, error etc. from our path to freedom from karmic restrictions and helps us to perceive our original radiant nature, is positive, 'good' (punya). It generally produces an agreeable, happy feeling.
That what hinders us to experience this positive feeling, what blocks our growth and obstructs the perception of our original, radiant nature, is negative, 'bad' (paapa). It generally produces a feeling of unhappiness.
In this understanding there do exist actions that - irrespective of the intention they are based on - have such negative character that they will always obstruct our inner development. These are all actions based on rage (anger), arrogance (pride), the intention to deceive others (manipulation) and greed (addiction) - the four basic negative emotions7 - and further obsession, laziness, negligence, fanaticism etc.
Similarly there are positive activities that will always support our inner growth: - all actions inspired by compassion, by our orientation towards growth etc.
Ideals or intentions, as high as they might be, never justify means used for their achievement that fall short of the original goal. Ench single step towards an ideal always needs to do full justice to its very core. Every action that does not correspond with our original aspiration reduces our ideal and fundamentally changes its direction, validity and impact.
7 Sutra 9 in the chapter 'THE NATURE OF KARMIC BONDS' describes how
these emotions obstruct inner growth.