Karma the Mechanism

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

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KARMA - THE MECHANISM
SUTRAS
If we e.g. stumble over a brick in our path and get hurt, we usually impulsively blame the brick, the person or the circumstances that put the obstacle there. Yet it is basically our own inattention that made us experience pain. As long as we continue to blame outside factors, we will not realize that we need to be more careful next time. As long as we take our painful fall not as a warning to become more aware of our environment, we inevitably lay the ground for further negative experiences.
In this situation it helps to contemplate whether we need to react in the first place. Often it is only our fellow people who expect us to act in a particular way. If instead we decide to follow alternative (positive) lines of thoughts or action we cut painful processes to their shortest possible time.
Once we understand how karma activates, we should have no need to prolong the cycle of (negative) emotions by indulging in further, similarly (negative) emotions that will only attract new karma of the same kind.
Yet if we enjoy (negative) experiences and prolong or amplify them by emotions like rage (anger), arrogance (pride), the intention to deceive others or addiction (greed), our very own reaction will bind us anew to the theme the activated karma stimulated.
We should not underestimate how attractive painful feelings can be - though most of us would vehemently deny this when asked directly. Yet how often do we dwell on feelings of hurt like 'They are going to see how little they will accomplish without me!', or take pleasure in heroic sadness like 'They don't ever notice how much I am doing for them!'. How often do we enjoy telling others of our sicknesses and hardships or show great interest in their misfortunes and troubles. Pain is a stimulant. If positive experiences are lacking, pain might just infuse our life with the very excitement and drama we crave.
It certainly is a very personal decision for how long and to what extent we want to experience feelings of hurt. But dwelling on them neither removes their original cause, nor does it help us to find our way out of our predicament. For Personal & Private Use Only