Karma. Cause and Effect

 

                                        Photo by Matthew Harris

Fate is not Arbitrary 

We have to wonder is every thought, word we say, or deed we commit has a cause which creates an effect. A more simple way to look at is we go to work, we get paid. We go to school, we learn something. When we exercise or eat nutritious food, we get healthy. In Buddhism, it is taught that fate is not arbitrary. This simply put means that whatever happens in life does not occur randomly but more for a reason. Supernatural forces do not have a stranglehold on our lives; we are in full control of our own destiny.

The idea of cause and effect is not always available to our awareness. We often judge that life is unfair. I know I have thought this way and many of you reading this can attest to the same notion. We have often pondered questions through our lives in comparison.

Why is that person more wealthy than me?

Why is that person more attractive, taller or more fit than me?

Why does that person get all the breaks in life while I have to struggle?

Why do such nice people have bad things happen to them?

The theory in Karma shows that life is never-ending. It continues far after we are gone and has been in motion for many lifetimes before us. The circumstances that we are born into is determined by causes from our previous lifetimes. It is sometimes unjust and strict in nature but it is there to teach us something so we can move on and create a better destiny.

Better Actions create better Results

The power to create destiny seems a very optimistic teaching for us. By taking full responsibility for our own actions leads to results which are more in our favor. Being empowered to create this destiny requires us to understand that achieving the true happiness we desire must come from our heart. Growing our HEARTSET comes from an energy field of self-awareness, caring for humanity, positivity, forgiving and compassion.

We sometimes try to earn life points by manipulating or being mean to others since we feel it is a tough world out there thus we need to be tough as well. However, by going down this road only leads to suffering in the future.  We know deep in our hearts what is truly wrong and that is what causes deep suffering.

Invisible vs Visible effect

In Buddhist theory there are two types of effect. There is the visible effect, also called the manifest effect which takes time to appear since it requires more work to achieve it. Then there is the invisible or latent effect which is felt more immediate like doing a good deed for someone in need which thus brings prompt happiness. 

There are also two types of causes. One cause is internal Karma and arises from the thoughts and emotions we have. This internal world is bordered within our body and soul. Then there is the external Karma cause which is the consequence of our actions in the world. The external relates to everyday events we respond to differently which can be based on our past conditioning. For example, eating healthy can come from effects due to our family upbringing or how we are influenced by friends and peers. These are forms of external effects. By looking more inward we can then be more aware and break free from our old habits to being more healthy.

Here's a great video by Fearless Soul on this subject.

Don't Blame Fate

We cannot blame anyone else for how we suffer in life. It does not mean that other people are not accountable for their actions, they can sometimes reap the rewards for wronging others and yes it is not fair. The important thing to remember is that misery comes from inside us, not outside. This may be a difficult thing to digest as we tend to blame fate and external factors for what goes on in our lives. The fact is once we look more internally we then start to liberate ourselves. We learn to change for the common good. We cannot expect to change other people, we need to change the way we relate to other people by looking inward on ourselves. 

The Law of Karma in relation to cause and effect is very simple to understand. We are taught lessons through our actions everyday. For example, if we are at the beach we can burn our feet on the hot sand

if we don't wear sandals. The lesson teaches us the sand can be hot if we don't take precautions. By bringing the Law of Karma into our daily lives it can be applied to just about anything.

In relationships, if we choose a partner that does not make us feel loved then the cause will make us suffer. We can choose to take better actions. We can continue to be in the bad relationship or we can make the choice to be with someone who makes us truly happy.

"All Life is Suffering" As quoted from Buddha but that suffering is a choice.

                                                Photo by Mattia Faloretti

I can choose to sleep in everyday, be in a rush to go to work, not exercise and that might cause low energy for me and inability to function daily tasks. I can also choose the opposite which is very liberating from my old habits, giving me more energy and thus be very healthy and happy.

Of course I am human and I do make mistakes. I will not be the first perfect human being. I have demons which do take over from time to time where I indulge in bad decisions. 

When I take a step back and be the objective observer I may witness what I am doing and reflect on it. I can learn sometimes that I am not spiritually my best self and then in turn make the conscious decision to do what's necessary to be an outstanding human being in all aspects. I can then shine a spotlight on myself internally to see what works and what needs improving.

Recommended Reading: Flow. The Psychology of Optimal Thinking. by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

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