I believe that Karma does not take the literal form that it is often expressed as, but is an outlook; a state of mind. A few years ago I tried to clean up my act with regards to my behaviour towards others. Avoiding unnecessary conflict, avoiding causing unnecessary pain to others et cetera. For no other reason than I once took the time to reflect on my own personality, and did not like the person I saw. The person I saw was not someone I would want to call a friend, and certainly not someone I would enjoy spending time with. Some of the bad things that happened to me (particularly those involving people and friends) I could see were a direct result of actions I had taken. This got me interested in the idea of Karma.

The literal interpretation of Karma is “do good things, and good things will happen to you.” This infers that there is some external force controlling every single event in your life, and depending on your own actions will change events accordingly. I don’t believe this is true; but that it is meant to be taken more metaphorically. Do positive things; change your outlook on life to be more positive. All you have to do is look for the positive in people and situations and you will see it. The harder you have to search to find it, the more focused on it you will be when you finally discover it. I find that having a positive outlook, and being able to see past temporary hardships makes life easier, and in your own mind “makes good things happen to you.” A positive mindset is an incredibly pacifying yet powerful tool in today’s world, after all your mind is the one place where none of the “bad” things can reach you if you choose not to let them in.

People will often defend their own aggressive tendencies with a phrase along the lines of “It’s just who I am. I can’t change who I am.” I was completely guilty of this. But this line is merely defensive nonsense. You change your underwear everyday but this does not change who you are. You have your hair cut every few months, shedding a part of your physical body, but this does not change who you are. An aggressive tendency and the tendency to cause others grief is a tiny part of a personality, and losing it does not change who you are anymore than a haircut does. A personality is not a stagnant thing; it is ever changing and responding to the stimuli that everyday occurrences throw at it. You are the only person in complete control of your life; no magic force will make life easier or make good things happen.

This is what I see as "karma," please share your view.

A positive mindset is an incredibly pacifying yet powerful tool in today’s world, after all your mind is the one place where none of the “bad” things can reach you if you choose not to let them in...

...You are the only person in complete control of your life; no magic force will make life easier or make good things happen.

^ Right on to this! Our views on karma are very similar, I'd pretty much be regurgitating everything you posted. I just wouldn't call it karma, I'd call it The Power of Positive Thinking.

Since bad things inevitably do happen to good people, it's unnecessary to trick one's self into thinking that by doing loads of good, no bad will ever befall you. Best thing to do is to take bad situations and manipulate them into being positive ones. Once you've mastered gaining control of your outlook, nothing can beat you down.

I have run into a lot of New Agey woo-woos who just use the karma thing as an updated "God's gonna get you for that." Nonsense. God does no reward or punish in any way, shape or form--we create our own reality--that, IMHO, is what the Bible was talking about with that "created in the image and likeness of God" thing.

That is not to say that actions do not have consequences You jump off a building and break your leg--are you being "punished" for violating the law of gravity? I think not.

Dick Sutphen put it best--"Wisdom erases karma."

I know karma exists, I see it all the time, anyone can.

I know it isn't a super natural force at all, its not some thing that is always watching you and taking notes, for that reason you can do things and get away with no bad karma.

Examples:
You go an punch someone, this is bad karma, and chances are that person will punch you back or at least hate you for some time.

You give your girlfriend flowers and bring her out to dinner at a nice place. She agrees to a threesome with the girl of your choice.
(Far-fetched, I know)

You cut down a tree and it falls on top of you.

or

You smash some random persons window while walking home late one night. Nothing bad comes of it as far as you will ever know, maybe just some lingering guilt.


Everything in the universe is cause and effect, this is well known, and this is what karma is.

God does no reward or punish in any way, shape or form--we create our own reality

+1.

Heaven and hell are up here.

*Points to head and taps*

You actions and thoughts either get you closer to the eternal truth or away from it.

Physical pain is nothing compared to being mentally stale and not being able to realise your potential and progression towards it.

To the OP you should read up on self-fufilling prophecy and how thinking positivly or negativly can impact your life for good or ill respectivly. There is a large body of scientific research done on this particular topic and it sounds as if your assessment of Karma is not too far off the mark of this research.

I have run into a lot of New Agey woo-woos who just use the karma thing as an updated "God's gonna get you for that."

It's interesting to see how modern 'religious thinkers' will appropriate material from other religions or creeds to further their own interpretations, yet still reject the origins of this material. In otherwords, a New Ager may believe in Karma, but does not believe in Shiva or reincarnation, further proponents of the original religions from which Karma came.

It's interesting to see how modern 'religious thinkers' will appropriate material from other religions or creeds to further their own interpretations, yet still reject the origins of this material. In otherwords, a New Ager may believe in Karma, but does not believe in Shiva or reincarnation, further proponents of the original religions from which Karma came.

Its interesting that people will believe in some concepts, and not others? Thats not really anything new.

Some people, instead of being totally blind and thoughtless fools, accept those concepts in which they find truth, and leave concepts they find hollow.

And if someone claims they believe in Karma but not reincarnation, they don't really believe in actual Karma. But, hopefully although unlikely, they at least find truth in whatever they understand Karma as being.

Reincarnation is quite simple. I'm not the same person I was yesterday or even a minute ago. I'll stop when I find solace in the eternal. Biatch!

Reincarnation is quite simple. I'm not the same person I was yesterday or even a minute ago. I'll stop when I find solace in the eternal. Biatch!

+1

I also don't believe karma exists as it is often thought of. I see it more as a social tit-for-tat sort of thing. It's just the understanding that we're all connected and if everyone acts well towards one another, then they will also be treated well. If we all treat others poorly, we in turn, are treating ourselves poorly. It's like taking the golden rule and making it a categorical imperative - Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

I believe that Karma does not take the literal form that it is often expressed as, but is an outlook; a state of mind. A few years ago I tried to clean up my act with regards to my behaviour towards others. Avoiding unnecessary conflict, avoiding causing unnecessary pain to others et cetera. For no other reason than I once took the time to reflect on my own personality, and did not like the person I saw. The person I saw was not someone I would want to call a friend, and certainly not someone I would enjoy spending time with. Some of the bad things that happened to me (particularly those involving people and friends) I could see were a direct result of actions I had taken. This got me interested in the idea of Karma.

The literal interpretation of Karma is “do good things, and good things will happen to you.” This infers that there is some external force controlling every single event in your life, and depending on your own actions will change events accordingly. I don’t believe this is true; but that it is meant to be taken more metaphorically. Do positive things; change your outlook on life to be more positive. All you have to do is look for the positive in people and situations and you will see it. The harder you have to search to find it, the more focused on it you will be when you finally discover it. I find that having a positive outlook, and being able to see past temporary hardships makes life easier, and in your own mind “makes good things happen to you.” A positive mindset is an incredibly pacifying yet powerful tool in today’s world, after all your mind is the one place where none of the “bad” things can reach you if you choose not to let them in.

People will often defend their own aggressive tendencies with a phrase along the lines of “It’s just who I am. I can’t change who I am.” I was completely guilty of this. But this line is merely defensive nonsense. You change your underwear everyday but this does not change who you are. You have your hair cut every few months, shedding a part of your physical body, but this does not change who you are. An aggressive tendency and the tendency to cause others grief is a tiny part of a personality, and losing it does not change who you are anymore than a haircut does. A personality is not a stagnant thing; it is ever changing and responding to the stimuli that everyday occurrences throw at it. You are the only person in complete control of your life; no magic force will make life easier or make good things happen.

This is what I see as "karma," please share your view.
Good on ya! I see much wisdom in this post. I too did something like this; I realized I couldn't defend causing anyone (or anything) suffering. There's simply no excuse. I have been working at being a nice and pleasant person to everyone I meet, and since reading some interesting articles about flies and other insects I've stopped killing even them.

And you know what? I DO feel much better, about myself and about life in general, and I think those around me do too. :)

If only more people could do this. It's the mark of enlightenment to realize not only how you're going wrong, but to be able to change it as well. I still haven't fully succeeded, but I'm trying.

If I could rep you, I'd do it. Good on ya.

and since reading some interesting articles about flies and other insects I've stopped killing even them.


Funnily enough, I started doing this as well. People often say I'm odd when I catch a blue bottle/ other insect and take it outside instead of squashing it. I also became a vegetarian about a year after my lifestyle change. I suppose it doesn't seem right to go out of your way to avoid hurting humans when you won't do the same for the rest of the animal kingdom.


If only more people could do this. It's the mark of enlightenment to realize not only how you're going wrong, but to be able to change it as well. I still haven't fully succeeded, but I'm trying.

True, most social problems boil down to someone being unnecessarily cruel to someone. I doubt you ever will fully succeed; I know I am nowhere near complete. But philosophers tell us life is a journey and we never stop evolving as a person.

Some people, instead of being totally blind and thoughtless fools, accept those concepts in which they find truth, and leave concepts they find hollow.

You're right, they do take what they like out of an entire religious doctrine and place it completely out of cultural or religious context.

And if someone claims they believe in Karma but not reincarnation, they don't really believe in actual Karma. But, hopefully although unlikely, they at least find truth in whatever they understand Karma as being.

Wouldn't it be better that they actually knew what it was, rather than annoy everyone else who knew it properly with their ignorance?

Wouldn't it be better that they actually knew ...

Hahaha.