Karma the Mechanism

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

Page 78

SUTRAS
ATTRACTION TO KARMA
77
SUTRA 26 तद्विपर्ययो नोचैर्वृत्त्यनुत्सेको चोत्तरस्य ॥ २६ ॥ Tadviparyayo nichairvrityanutsekau chottarasya (26) Its opposite (i.e. - praising others - modesty - proclaiming the good qualities and achievements of others - refraining from praising our own qualities and achievements - respect for those further advanced towards freedom from all
karmic limitations - freedom from pride in our own achievements attracts karma that leads to a high, honored status in life. (26)
While striving for freedom from all karmic limitations high or low status holds little or no meaning for us. We know that high or low status only reflects a passing emotional attachment to limited themes of life, which we now observe with equanimity. The speed and intensity of our progress towards ultimate freedom is our main attraction. Our idea of the highest possible status is that of siddl - our free consciousness, - far removed from all temporary material criteria.
As long as the experience of bodily forms keeps deeply attracting us, attaining ever higher status may be the main motivation in our life. Unfortunately this striving will cause us to stay bound. Yet there exists a highly effective karmic mechanism that intends to free us from our fascination with status:
The main factor of any kind of status is the recognition our fellow people give us. We tend to regard positive recognition - high or growing status - as confirmation that our way of life is right, while low status or lack of recognition often triggers enormous efforts to correct this situation.