Karma. Do you think we are bring punished/rewarded for what we did in a past life?
Yes, I am talking Karma. I have always been fascinated with the concept of Karma, and this was the underlying theme of my first novel, The Empress Returns.
The book is narrated by Lewis, a poor soul who is caught up in karmic wheel and struck by the knowledge of truth. He is battling the effects of past karma, or so it would appear.
But where does the theory of karma come from, and who decides our fate?
Karma is a belief. This belief system has been born into different religions, such as Hinduism & Buddhism. I have just finished an assignment on traditional Buddhism and it has left me even more fascinated in the concept of Karma.
Buddha was a man who lived 2500 years ago. When he died his faith was left to all his followers to create the lasting legacy of what we know now as Buddhism. Monks chant in prayer and meditation to spread the teachings of Buddha, and in simple terms, to create a pattern of good things attract good things, and bad attracts bad- In this life and the next.
Now I am no expert in this, and the more I delve into it, the more I realise the complex belief system of Karma and I am literally just skimming the surface.
Last year I did an assignment on the The Dalai Lama and was gripped with the process of finding a new Dalai Lama . When the The Dalai Lama dies, Senior Lama's actually go out and seek young children who show signs of being the new reincarnated lama. Such as recognising clothes scents, places and such. They will concentrate on all levels to find the next The Dalai Lama
I mention reincarnation because they are linked. The belief is that you come back with with three important ingredients. A mothers egg, a fathers sperm and your past karmic state.
The past influences the future.
In this belief, right now, you are creating your future.
Thoughts?
Here is my fictional supernatural thriller THE EMPRESS RETURNS
Great post!! I think I do believe in both to different degrees! I think it would explain some irrational fears that people have including myself. For instance I really hate anything thrown at me. It could be a ball, rolled up paper or a rock..lol! It always made me wonder if I may have been stoned in a past life. Just a crazy thought I have now and then. I also believe we have to work through certain situations or we are doomed to come back and repeat them.
It's a fascinating thought, isn't it? I had elevation phobia and agoraphobia. I always wondered if I was thrown off a cliff or something lol. I also have a thing about frogs which is a little bizarre.
Hmm..frogs is interesting! I can relate to your phobias though. Another really odd one I have is dark or deep water but not in a lake but like in a tub be it an overfilled bathtub or a non draining laundry sink. Yep! I'm a mess..lol! Could be sign that we are old souls and have reincarnated a few times. I absolutely do not plan on coming back again after this one! ;)
You may have been stoned then landed in an old Roman bath! Oh, the joys of life eh ?
Lol I was a witch who had her potions to keep her company before being mercilessly taken down by the bigoted townspeople..lol!! Guess you can tell I've put much thought into this and I believe in karma also.
Haha, it's great though!
I do believe in Karma. Both in the afterlife and here. it is interesting to think that your past life has effect on what you are living now and what ever future lives you may have. My father in law loved squirrels. They also seemed to be drawn to him. He said when that when he died he wanted to be reincarnated as a squirrel. He passed away 22 years ago. I often wonder if he got his wish.
Oh, that is such a lovely thought. I hope so! I always had a thing for foxes (hence Aubrey Fox) I think there is something in this definately.
I do not believe in either.
It would be unfair to punish a being that is basically you, but is not yet alive and does not remember his last life when it is alive, only because of that last life doing some bad things.
Yes, it may be an unfair belief system as of many religious thoughts. Who gets to judge morality right?
True. I like to think people get to judge. I also let my belief or personal philosophy be based upon science. If it can't be proven, I am sceptic about it.
Whatever floats your boat I suppose.
I personally do not believe in karma. I think that sometimes it can look like karma is at play, because people that are bad to others and double-cross people sometimes get what they deserve. However, I do not think it is a force of the universe that can mete out justice. I think it's us to up humans to make sure that we keep things fair and reward those that do good things! :)