Originally Posted by JainVeganBuddha
ultimately the cycle of karma is mystical and beyond mere mental comprehension, the idea is to get a basic understanding and master karma through practical action/living. the best source, and original source to study about karma is through researching jainism. they have evolved a whole simple basic science on the matter.
the idea of karma is that our actions cause reactions and come back to us in life. there are different kinds of karma. when the reactions come back to us it has been called the 'fruits' of our actions, or the ripening of our karma. the action that caused that reaction is called the seed.
some karma comes back to us very quickly...in this life...called instant karma. some comes back to us at a later time in this life. some karma comes back to us fully in our next life, determining what kind of form, condition, circumstances, and world we inhabit in the vast universe. in general karma has an overall effect that tends to help us learn and advance by reflecting /mirroring our life in our experience.
an important point about karma is that we are in control of our own life and destiny and experience. it is our responsibility to navigate our own path and future through acting consciously, compassionately, and in awareness of karma.
there is an aspect of karma as universal teacher and universal justice. the great spirit of life is conscious and without ill will toward any, but one with all. the action of karma suggests an omniscient awareness that connects all things and beings in the universe and nature. there is an aspect of parenthood and righteousness in the universe that guides beings toward perfection, compassion, maturity, and righteousness. often the best thing to learn is getting a taste of your own medicine.
to one karmically aware, that would never be an option, because one would be consciously scheduling oneself for the same type of slaughter in the future by the accruing karma.
The material body that we have now is conditioned by suffering and impermanence. our true self is not this material body, but our eternal soul. if one dies in austerity or starvation after doing good karma, no karma, and/or becoming purified one will ascend to nicer more heavenly worlds and forms, circumstances and conditions of life in more subtle energetic forms in pleasant loving and pure association.
If one engages in all kinds of violence and killing, causing other beings suffering etc just to sustain or pamper the body, then there is no real benefit, because the body is impermanent, the consciousness will be lowered, one will receive bad fortune eventually in life and descend to lower worlds and forms, conditions and circumstances that are dense, incarnate, prone to the same sufferings and violence that one committed in previous life, in troublesome unsafe and unfortunate association.
so it is to be understood that there are various grades and conditions of life into which one can be born into our human world. there are also many other kinds of earthly beings one can be born into, according to karma, including animals, insects, and others. it should also be understood that there are much higher and nicer worlds of life where we can reside with like beings. there are also more troublesome, dark, cold and difficult worlds in the vast universe, and in each of them there are various kinds and forms of can send us to such worlds where we will experience the ful effects of our own karma committed toward other beings.
karma represents the slow and methodical workings of a vast and conscious, righteous universe and great spirit. there is a great equality among all living entities, a great justice, and a connection of oneness among all life. the master, having purified one's soul, attained enlightenment and universal collective consciousness, can navigate with excellent karma and deep insight...this vision comes with time and practice. the master becomes liberated from the body even in this life and can astrally navigate the vast worlds and encounter all sorts of awesome planets, peoples, and beings including those in darkness, suffering, heavenly worlds, and strange and artistic places of amazing beauty. in the higher worlds one encounters such amazing dynasties of enlightened and kind beings, such fun and creative pastimes, and subtle worlds where nature itself makes life effortless, pleasant, and fun-centered. Here friendship, love, and a campy, celebratory mood dominates. beings dont have the same gross material bodies that are subject to pain, disease, aging etc. things are changeable, mind-made, and all kinds of dreamlike miraculous things of the imagination are possible.
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