“Suffering and happiness are always near. Which will you choose?”

Zett Why

The real meaning of karma

The concept of karma comes from India. In western countries, when something bad happens, it is joked about – that’s just karma! Or in other words – your destiny. The Sanskrit word “Karma” comes from the ancient Pali language word “Kamma”.

 

In direct translation, it means Action. We understand “Destiny” as a fate which we can’t change, but as I have mentioned, the term “Kamma” has the direct meaning of concrete action. Here we can come to the conclusion that all that happens to us is a direct consequence of our actions and the choices we have made. Each action has a reaction. As you have probably noticed, different people react and act differently in the same situation. But before we continue, let me tell you about one science experiment that has an impact on the things being talked about.

Isn’t reality an illusion?

Scientists, in seeking to find out how we perceive reality, decided to make an experiment. They invited several well-known sportsmen to their laboratory. After outfitting them with the appropriate recording equipment, they were asked to imagine as clearly as possible, that they were performing sports, although all of them were sitting comfortably in laboratory chairs. The results even surprised the scientists themselves. While staying seated in their chairs, the same muscles relevant to one or another sports actions were contracting in the bodies of the sportsmen. The same was going in their brains. The same brain centres which usually switch on when sportsmen play sports became active. The conclusion – we live in two different realities. One of them is in our head. The other we see.

After this, the next question arises: Which came first – the hen or the egg? … and maybe, the thought or the action? My experience, gained through observing myself and others, says that in the beginning there is a thought, and then action follows. All that we do in reality is at first created in our heads. Look into your head deeper – it’s very dark in there, and this book you are reading is just a flow of photons entering in your retina and providing your brain with information. Naturally, one more question comes to mind – isn’t reality an illusion?

All is thought

We are all part of the big picture, and all is related to it. If you hurt someone today – wait till someone hurts you. What you throw, the same will fly back. After watching many people, a realization comes that they are all totally irresponsible for their actions. In talking to each of them separately, they all seem to realize what is good and what is bad, but react in a totally opposite way to their knowledge and common sense in certain situations.

Let’s finish this article with some words said by Buddha: “You are the master of your own destiny. You create the future by yourself.” In my own words: “You are the master of your own Karma. Your thoughts are the same as the circumstances around you!”. Which do You choose?

Exerpt from ebook “52 Quotes to live by”