The Meaning of Karma
in Pursuit of a Spiritual Life
Some Thoughts on the Concept of Karma and Spiritual Growth
Pursuing the meaning of karma in pursuit of a spiritual life may sound redundant at first glance, but it's essential to understand the terms before making assumptions."Karma" is most often considered when discussing the Eastern religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. It's too quickly adopted into Western thought in a way that fits the dualistic nature of how we consider the world: good/bad; reward/punishment. Visit the definition of karma page to read more about the explanation of the concept. For the sake of clarity and brevity in this discussion about the meaning of karma in a spiritual life, it may be defined as the accumulation of those
intentions, thoughts, words, and actions that were out of balance in all your past lives and which now present you with obstacles, challenges, and opportunities for spiritual growth so that you live your future lives closer to enlightenment.Instead of trying to write a treatise on the meaning of karma and spirituality here, I'm going to present a few thoughts on related topics. Taken together, I hope these words provide a cohesive picture of the meaning of karma and serve you as you pursue your spiritual life.
What is a Spiritual Life, Anyway?
After studying many spiritual systems, reading about world religions, and working within the energies of shamanism, spiritual psychotherapy, and past life regressions for much of my life, my understanding is this:
A spiritual life is one in which the person
searches for her/his inner truth,
struggles to become a better person,
lives from compassion for others,
reaches for the Oneness of the Universe,
and commits to balance in self, community,
and Earth (or further).I truly believe there are many paths to this goal. It's an active life, which includes contemplation and just Being.
At the very end of the TV series Babylon 5 is a scene in which each sentient species saw the same Oneness, which was presented as a miracle. The biggest miracle, however, was that each person saw it as something different; it appeared in the image they would best understand. Every one needs to find the path to spirituality that's right for them. We'll all get there eventually. If you agree or disagree about my definition of spiritual life, feel free to enter the conversation using the form below.
Awareness, Accountability, Responsibility
...and Free Will
There are some common elements in pursuing a spiritual life no matter what path you follow.
- The first step in most systems is to develop awareness: of self, thoughts, feelings, and actions. It's the beginning of discovering the truth of who you are. When discussing the meaning of karma, awareness includes unfinished business from your past lives.
- Once aware, being accountable - I saw what I mean; I do what I say - is the next step. It's ownership of your personal truth and of the Truths you choose to follow. This is where you notice consequences: If I do A, B follows; If I feel C, D follows.
- Now it's time to take responsibility. not only for actions, but also for thoughts, intentions, feelings, and the results and responses from others who are in your life in any way. Adding the meaning of karma, this step includes how you have affected others throughout your lifetimes.
- After responsibility, it's time to apply your free will to your life. You choose your words and actions (even your thoughts and intentions - through meditation, affirmations, and positive thinking) to express the T/truths you've learned and to create positive responses. When you consider the meaning of karma in this spiritual process, you understand that your destiny and fate are in your hands, the result of choices you've made in the past coupled with the choices you make in the present moment.
Time and More Time
The meaning of karma in a spiritual life can be seen as a tool to understand the expansion of time. The pursuit of enlightenment does not have to be accomplished in the few short decades of a single lifetime. We're not expected to be perfect, only to strive for perfection. There's a world of difference in that.Luckily, we have more than one incarnation in which to reach enlightenment. We can learn from our pasts, respond more appropriately to the situations of life, and grow in each lifetime. The obvious analogy is that of school: You're not supposed to learn it all in kindergarten. Each lifetime is another grade. Try not to be left back!
Sequence
There is a sequence to spiritual learning. Lessons come in the order in which we're capable of graduating through them. So it is with karma: what you get is what you can change at any given moment in your life. The "stretch" out of your comfort zone is essential to growth, but it's always possible to learn that particular lesson. The meaning of karma incorporated into a spiritual life is a way to see that lessons appear as we need them to take our next spiritual steps, not necessarily in linear, time-line order. If we didn't need such a sequence, there would be a lot more "instant karma" in our lives and we could learn all our lessons in a single incarnation.
Chance for Redemption
The chance for redemption is the part I personally love the most about what the meaning of karma is in pursuing a spiritual life.Our souls aren't eternally at the effect of bad choices and spiritual mistakes we've made in past lives. Karma affords us the opportunities we need for change, for making things better, for turning around toward the Light, and by doing so, bringing ourselves closer to that Light. There's no punishment, only opportunity. Imagine being a small child. You hit another child in anger or frustration, and the other child cries. What would the rest of your life be like if you were punished for that action until the day you died? Instead, a loving parent takes you aside, explains what you did that was wrong, and teaches you how to behave better when you feel angry. Life continues, and of course you meet another situation in which you feel anger. But now you have a better-informed choice in how to act. If you strike out again, you've learned nothing. If, instead, you respond with compassion rather than frustration - for yourself as well as the other - you have learned your lesson well. Karma is similar on a grander scale, a scale which encompasses all of time, past and future. It is a concept to use for perspective as well as to remember that all of life is about spiritual growth, and that even mundane circumstances can be transformed into moments of spiritual transcendence and growth.
Experiencing a Spiritual Life
How do you know you're living a spiritual life? Here are some insights I've gained. If you have others, please share them with Past Lives Coaching visitors through the form below.
- You experience increased moments of open-heartedness.
- The Universe, and your Self, feel expansive.
- Your awareness of the minute and the infinite become One.
- You realize that paradox is a good indicator of Truth.
- You develop a multifaceted awareness.
- More and more often you feel a connection to all beings and things.
- Gratitude arises naturally.
- As difficult as it is at times, you live from compassion for others.
- Your choices in intention, thought, word, and action result in increased centeredness and a feeling of peace with your inner self.
- You seek understanding and forgiveness.
- You realize the world is full of miracles, both large and small.
- You see possibility in others as well as your self.
- You meet adversity with hope.
Spirituality is highly personal, as is karma. What I've written about above is what I've learned about the meaning of karma in pursuit of a spiritual life. Do you have questions about it? Ideas to add? Arguments with what's presented here? Please join in the conversation and share your thoughts with other visitors to pastlivescoaching.com.
What is the Meaning of Karma
in Your Spiritual Life?
What part does karma play in your spiritual life? How do you understand the meaning of the concept within your pursuit of spirituality? Do you agree or disagree with the ideas presented on this page? Have I missed any points you think are important? Have questions about the meaning of karma in living a spiritual life?
Please share your thoughts with other visitors to pastlivescoaching.com. I look forward to reading what you say.
Go to Contact Batya Directly page.
Go to Schedule Sessions page.
Go to Karma Definition page.
Go to Karma Quotes - Eastern page.
Go to Karma Quotes - Western page.
Go to Karma Wheel page.
Go to Law of Karma page.
Go to Karma Stories page.
Go to Bad Karma page.
Go to Is Your Karma Good or Bad? page.
Go to Karma Clearing page.
Go to What Does Karma Mean to You? page.
Return to What is Karma? page.
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