Monday, November 26, 2007

Karma - The Great Equalizer

If there is anything that I desperately hope is true, it isn't God. Rather, the concept of karma. Many of us believe in it perhaps as a way to console ourselves with regards to unfortunate situation that are beyond our control. On the other hand, it only makes sense to subscribe to it because it seems to be the universal balance keeper.

Karma. What is karma?

According to the dictionary, it is "the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person's deeds in the previous incarnation."

Karma, it seems, stems largely from religious principles and dogmas (Hindus, help me out here?). It involves living a fair life in order to bid for a better one in the next. Though it seems to refer to reincarnation and such, the more modern concept of it conveys the same theme as the Bible's Golden Rule -- "Do unto others what you want to be done unto you." Similar, yes?


The universe has its own mechanism where it imposes natural balance upon itself. There is the good and the bad, black and white, heaven and hell -- the yin ang yang of life. It is said that for every misdeed that we commit, it will come back to bite off our behinds at an aggravated degree. There is justice and there is fairness.

I cannot seem to agree more.

If it were up to me, I would like to be the one to inflict justice in my own life. I wish that I can have matters in my own hands whenever I get wronged or taken advantage of. However, life isn't as rosy as such. I don't think it's entirely possible to think clearly -- more so think of justice -- when one is ridden in rage and anger over an incident. Various people deal with obnoxious emotions differently and these people also act differently in certain situations. It will be an unfair system if people lived in my ideal world. Most importantly, who are we to decide what kind of justice the wrongdoer must receive?

To believe in karma is to award the divine with the task of maintaining moral equilibrium on earth -- or in the universe. Believing in it allows me to pick myself up after a messy fall, to dust my hands quickly against each other, and still hold my head up high with a smirk. It comforts me greatly knowing that I need not lift a finger in order for some people to experience the vileness that they inflict on others. It is all taken cared of.

Karma keeps us humble. Knowing and acknowledging its power keeps us in check because ultimately, our actions are a reflection of ourselves.

There have been many occassions that I have been duped and toyed with -- in all aspects of the words. And just like everyone else, as I would presume, I wish nothing short of misery and pain for those people who have engineered the scenario, no matter how big or small. I can be completely high strung and vengeful (as a matter of fact, isn't that part of being a Scorio? *wink*) and my emotions can get the best of me sometimes. If I act upon any of them, I will probably end up doing something I would regret for eternity (I already have some regrets as it is). My only option is to leave it to the professionals -- to those up there controlling the karma switchboard.

Unfortunately, patience is greatly needed in this whole karma game. It isn't up to us when the shit will hit the fan for the other side. We only see the smaller picture, but karma sees the larger one and will know where it will hurt the most for them. We can do nothing but wait until that moment emerges -- and one can only hope that he or she will be present to witness this sweetest thing called revenge.

We are not entitled to play God. We are not God. Even if someone doesn't believe in God or any kind of god, it is still not up to him or her to take control and ensure that justice will be served for every fault held against them. If we follow the karmic school of thought, doing so will only entail a bigger blow against one's self in the form of higher karma. It's one vicious circle that we wouldn't want to get trapped in.

God has given man free will. Whether or not someone decides to choose evil rather than good is his or her choice entirely. However, the consequences can be pretty dire and there really is no way of knowing when the ax will fall. That, I believe, is God's greatest disclaimer.

Whilst we wait for all the pieces of the universe to all fall into place, we can always resort to swearing, yeah? It's harmless and it's therapeutic. Then we sit back and enjoy the ride.

And if you're anything like me, I would be hoping the worst for that person.

(I can so totally feel the gates of hell opening up for me now)



~*~*~*~*~*~

My apologies for the negligence, I'm aware that it has been a while since my last post. And perhaps, I am also guilty for the dwindling quality of the posts. Caught with the holiday madness, wrestling with illnesses and dealing with year-end wrap-ups, I do not know when I am expected to catch up on my sleep. Nonetheless, still toiling hard.

To those who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you all had a good one! Brace yourselves for another holiday filled with lots of food and excessive spending.

Cheers!

25 Comments:

Blogger the walking man said...

So you say In the hand of fate is retribution but you wish evil upon them who work evil upon you. quite a dilemma ya got going there PB

Peace


TWM

9:15 PM  
Blogger Jennifer McKenzie said...

I think that's the tough part for me. Karma is one of those things I leave to those better equipped to understand it.
What helps me pick myself up and dust my knees is the knowledge that I've often hurt others without realizing it. That I am human with all its frailties and flaws.
To me, I don't wish too much evil on others lest I deserve it myself.

9:20 PM  
Blogger Carrie said...

I adore karma... it has it's way of equalizing. It's such a true concept that I've relied on so much.

10:26 PM  
Blogger Sudipta Chatterjee said...

Hello Princess... good to see your posts again. Somehow, I don't entirely agree with your point of view. Given a chance, I think I will get back at a person who has wronged me. The idea is just to wait for the right moment, and strike when it comes. Maybe the karma part will take care of the moment's arrival. But then it is in our own hands.

12:32 AM  
Blogger thisisme said...

Sometimes I love the idea of karma - that I don't have to do anything and the universe will balance itself. At the same time, I hate the thought of other people hurting the way I sometimes hurt.

I hope you are feeling better now, and the seasonal madness isn't too insane. Just post when you can - I suspect you have much higher expectations of yourself than we do. We'll still read.

3:38 AM  
Blogger Jellyhead said...

Hi PB,

You sound like you are exhausted and needing some TLC. I hereby send you a friendly hug and a virtual piece of my carrot cake.

Also, in case this helps at all - I find my anger towards others reduces greatly when I stop and consider why they might have acted as they did (ie they may have just suffered a huge loss, their marriage may be falling apart, they may be unwell, etc etc). Don't get me wrong - I get pissed off, too! But I find this approach helps me let go of it sooner.

Jennifer is right, too - it helps to remember that we are all flawed. We all hurt each other at times.

Hope you have had a good day today PB :)

5:17 AM  
Blogger M@ said...

I'm not going to read this entire post b/c I have the flu. But I will say that recent scientific studies show a real-world basis for karma, at least within human populations.

It's not far-fetched at all.

7:09 AM  
Blogger Karthik Balasubramanian said...

The path of Dharma is Chewed by the evil, but in the end, Dharma wins (extremely literal and bad translation from the tamil version of the Bhagvad Gita)

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

Dialogue from Ezequeil.. unknown verse Bible - as rendered by Samuel Jackson in pulp fiction..

Why did I type them?? beats me..

7:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Karma's a tough one that I can't give myself over to totally....but when I do those facebook personality tests I am in the 98th percentile for believing that I have sway over what happens in my life. Facebook knows me well =)

I think that as we do well in life we like to believe that we deserve it and that the world is just - and largely we do well because we work at it in little pieces for a long time. But when things start to slide the other direction I find it's hard to be as free spirited about it as it is when things are going well.

Whether karma exists or not, at least things keep going- well or not right? My grandpa used to always repeat Churchill, "If you're going through hell, keep going", and if that's all I have to count on then I'll take that.

1:47 PM  
Blogger Alan said...

Justice is mine, said the Lord, and we'll never know just what that just-ice is. I feel a draft in here suddenly.
Perhaps it is "cause and effect"
However, it is not quick enough for my liking, or maybe it is if I take into consideration what my Karma might be.
O shit, I better go and start reparation right now (can I do that, do you think?) See you!

8:45 PM  
Blogger Libby said...

PB-"karma switchboard"? OMG, i almost fell off my chair laughing when i read that!! heaven knows, a whole lot of people in blogland need to talk to them right now!!

2:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am not sure "Karma" is all about an apple for an apple, because if it is all about that, a person still has to deal with greed, hate, jealousy and many other ill feelings if one's action does not turn out to their own expectation on the outcome ... the apple even apply to adam and eve case as well ... :)

10:39 AM  
Blogger whimsical brainpan said...

If karma is real I wonder what the fuck I did in my last life.

11:57 AM  
Blogger Lady Prism said...

If you think deeply about..it can get pretty scary. I guess it's because I know myself..and the things I've done...all this 39 years. Some stuff well...I must admit worth celebrating about...But there remain areas that I can't even face. Relationships I've turned my back on...I wonder..How will Karma deal with me regarding that?

And what of the money I stole when I was 11?...Nobody knows I did it. How's Karma going to even me out..shivers..I wonder.

I believe that whatever we give out returns..even in greater quantity. I believe that in this life lessons are to be learned and until you've passed the grade..meaning..until life validates that you've learned what's needed then the same karmic experience will recur in your life. I believe in God of course, but I also believe that nature has its ways.

Ah'..if I were to make such pronouncements in where I am..snoooks....he! he! I guess I would be candidate for saving grace...

I don't care...I don't believe what you did wrong just pfffffts away..or that what you did right doesn't come back...I believe in the reincarnation of experience...and that there's a lot more to life we really don't know about...It ain't written in any book you can purchase off the shelf...or in some church pew...We find it here..inside of us...each our own way...each our own journey...


ps: Aren't you due to come visit?..I will be in Singapore this December with my whole family..wanna' meet up?

Oh' and if we do...don't tell my kids about the money I stole;>

2:55 PM  
Blogger exMI said...

No quality fall off on this post. Sounds like a good approach to life.

2:23 AM  
Blogger William said...

Karma. What goes around comes around. You're right, no instant gratification. Might have to wait a couple of "lifetimes". That's no fun! haha.

3:38 PM  
Blogger Faithful 2 U said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:17 AM  
Blogger Faithful 2 U said...

Cool Blog!

Drop By Mine Anytime!

http://bitternewspaperlady.blogspot.com/

3:25 AM  
Blogger Confessions of a Born Procrastinator said...

ah... karma... relatively new concept to me i have to say.

Here's a thought... Maybe us getting hurt is a lesson for us... you know for being stupid during the whole process.

Sure, life would be a dandy place, if we could 100% trust everyone... I Nice... you nice... unfortunately, that isnt the case.

Maybe, just once, during this whole game of life, we should thank the 'agonizer' for making us a stronger person... fer a change... :)

3:24 PM  
Blogger Lucid Darkness said...

You've done justice to the issue, methinks. (Puns intended).

And well, it's something that I hope exists too.

Otherwise, the world is one screwed up place to be. Bleh.

1:21 PM  
Blogger Lucid Darkness said...

Oh, and there's one thing that (I've noticed) always happens.
Life/Fate/Whatever ALWAYS makes you eat your own words.

1:23 PM  
Blogger Nasia said...

i totally believe in karma..
and i know it holds us in check,,
if we knw it will come bac to us

4:48 AM  
Blogger AVIANA said...

karma is a bitch...

a bitch i wish would come out on demand against those I choose...

but i'm fighting that as i'm studying buddhism more and more....

5:41 AM  
Blogger Dhivya said...

Karma- what a great topic to blog about.

However, when I think of Karma, I don't dwell so much on it being a way to punish those who hurt us. Karma is more about having control of our lifes, our destinies. It is refreshing to think that where you end up is based upon what you do now- you reap what you sow..It makes me feel powerful.

7:32 AM  
Blogger Destination Infinity said...

Me thinks, karma is true. And Fast. These days, it gets back to you in this lifetime itself, looks like.

Anyways, do consider the following when you feel hurt: "Forgive your enimies, nothing can humiliate them more"

Destination Infinity.

12:48 PM  

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