UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF THE "UNIVERSAL LAW OF KARMA" (REAPING WHAT YOU SOW)
WHERE LOVE RULES, THERE IS NO WILL TO POWER, AND WHERE POWER PREDOMINATES, LOVE IS LACKING. THE ONE IS A SHADOW OF THE OTHER.
Carl G. Jung
I visited with my beloved grandmother( Alberta (Bertie) Sales Keever) before she died, at the age of 85. I ask her during our visit, what she thought was the MOST IMPORTANT observation that she had made during her lifetime. Her reply surprised me, she said that she had noticed throughout her life that "everyone always reaps exactly what they sow."
This article is to honor the wisdom and insight of my grandmother.
Our western civilization prides itself on discoveries in economics, politics, science, physics, philosophy, medicine, pharmaceutical drugs, technologies, and religions.
We have been told that our civilization has made great strides, progress toward creating a better, modern civilization.
We became a global power, and countries from all over the world looked up to our leadership and those who dared to fight the “good fight;” while embracing the concepts of justice and freedom for all.
People came from all over the world in hopes of finding a society and a government free from dictatorship, and totalitarian regimes and corruption.
As history has proven, from the advanced ancient civilizations to our modern civilization:
“WE SEEM DESTINED TO REPEAT OUR MISTAKES.”
WHY do we seem UNABLE to learn from our mistakes? Why does war, fighting, injustice, greed, corruption, and humanity’s cruelty toward humanity continue to stain our hearts, minds, and spirits?
Answers:
The answers are both simple and complex. In order to understand the complexity, one has to stand back and observe what history has repeatedly shown us about ourselves. We also need to take the time away from our distractions to observe the present moment.
The answers are within the individual. Individuals make up the collective population.
Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” in other words when individual parts are connected together to form one entity, they are more than if the parts were in silos.
There are many ways that we create good and bad karma for ourselves. The purpose of this article is an attempt to shine a much needed light on a practical aspect of the "Universal Law Of Karma" and how it effects our daily lives. We are creating a great deal of misery for ourselves by not paying close attention to our actions.
Are we directing our lives, through actions and deeds from LOVE or are we directing our lives from the need for Power?
The Greeks had the intelligence and common sense to break love into four levels:
“Storge” kinship
“Philia” friendship
“Eros” sexual and romantic love
“Divine Love” known as AGAPE.
In our conversations with the people whom we share a closer bond and share regular conversations regarding our lives, activities, thoughts, and feelings, are we able to observe without judgment our personal interactions? Do we find ourselves controlling conversations because we prefer to talk about ourselves? Do we find ourselves imposing our personal beliefs and opinions on others? Do we find ourselves petty, self-righteous and arrogant because we have deluded ourselves into thinking we have all of the answers to everything and that we know what is best for everyone? Are we willing to extend ourselves to our friends, families, neighbors, and strangers? Do our interests include only ourselves and our families (tribe)? Are we capable of extending sincere interest in other people’s well being? Are we truly sincere and authentic or are we pretending to be compassionate, caring and kind? What are our motives? Do we spend more of our time criticizing and judging others than we spend on observing our own interactions with others?
The simple, honest answers require our ability to observe ourselves.
By observing oneself, one will quickly realize, that when one is in ego-identity, the goal is to initiate manipulation, control, time restraints, personal agendas, judgments and to steer the direction of the conversation and interaction with others for our own benefit, sense of superiority, and selfishness.
When one is in their heart space or heart energy, the flow is in sync with other hearts, the well being of all parties are considered in every situation. Thus, there is a feeling of coherence, unity, and joyfulness. All parties are open to the energy flow and are uplifted by the exchange.
When one or both people are in the ego-identity, there is no inspiration, or uplifting in the energy exchange. When one becomes aware of this level, of ego-self and realizes with some effort one can move into a higher level of consciousness, the realization becomes staggering: we are all deeply connected by the same unified field of consciousness, at this point, one can choose to learn to interact with everyone, in a way that promotes the best, and highest good for all. By becoming conscious of this fact, one will begin to choose to treat “thy neighbors, friends, family members, and strangers as they would like to be treated.” By moving past our lower level, selfish ego-driven personalities, we have the ability to STOP repeating our mistakes as a collective group of people and as an individual. The individual must first learn the difference in actions involving the ego-self (one’s selfish nature) and one’s higher nature(unselfish).
I have witnessed first-hand many people over the years who actively engage in meditation and prayer daily, yet they are not aware of themselves to know whether they are acting from their ego-state or acting from their higher selves in any given moment. The purpose of meditation and prayer is to become AWARE (CONSCIOUS) of oneself, others, and life by living in the moment, which is not the same as living in distractions and not paying attention to NOW. Otherwise, we live in the past and continue to repeat our past actions, thoughts, and feelings.
Neuroscience(studies of the brain) have PROVEN this to be a FACT. Thinking the same thoughts, which produce the same feelings create memories. Thinking the same thoughts, which produce the same feelings while performing the same actions daily create habits. Thinking the same thoughts which produce the same feelings create neural grooves in the brain that cause looping. This looping and our daily established habits cause us to live in the past. How do we break FREE of our past? Science is telling us that we must think new thoughts that create new feelings, we must change our habits, memories and create new neural pathways in our brain. How do we do this? When triggered we go back to the place that reminds us of our same feelings, which produce the same thoughts which produce the same memories. A true paradox exists in these findings.
Finally, we must change our state of consciousness.
Meditation helps increase the neurons in our brains, in other words, it makes you smarter, more aware and less prone to live in the past. Learning new things, information, education and maintaining a sense of curiosity also extends the neural pathways. Neuroscience is telling us a great deal about how our brains function and how to keep our brains healthy.
Meditation is a tool when used properly can expand our brain’s neural network, which will help us focus and concentrate, reduce our stress and anxiety and keep our brains younger while experiencing higher states of consciousness which will allow us to expand our vision of ourselves, our purpose and our lives.
STORIES (EXAMPLES OF AND GOOD AND BAD KARMA)
Worldview:
Jimmy Carter, a former U.S. President, recently declared that he was very concerned about the United States. He pointed out that China was ahead of the U.S. in every way and that he believed the reason was that China had not been at war with anyone since 1979, due to their peaceful foreign policies. They spent their time and money in building a stronger economy and advancing their country.
The United States, on the other hand, was the most warlike nation in the history of the world. The United States stays at war. There has only been five (5) years of peace in U.S. history. Consider the ramifications of the “Universal Law of Karma,” as a result of being in a warlike state that appears to be never-ending, what will the consequences be for its citizens and the country?
A PERSONAL VIEW:
A woman who was a friend of a friend confessed that she told her daughter that she was a product of rape. The daughter was twelve years old and had always been a happy child. After her mother shared the secret surrounding her birth, the daughter began to experience mental illness and drug addiction. The daughter never recovered and is a drug addict, who is panhandling on the streets today. Needless to say, this woman evoked much bad karma for herself. I ask the mother why she felt the need to share the rape details with her 12- year- old daughter and her reply was that her daughter needed to know the truth about her birth and that she was fortunate that she was born because the mother had considered aborting her. Clearly, this is an example of a woman who lived in her ego-self, who wanted the daughter to feel beholden to her. She also wanted to exercise her sense of superiority. She had no concern for the consequences and had no interest in examining herself to determine how she could have handled the situation differently, with love, kindness, and a reverent concern for everyone involved. Apparently, she did not care and showed no remorse for her actions. She became an alcoholic and spent the rest of her life creating misery for others. Apparently, she never became aware of the “Universal Law of Karma” (reaping what you sow). Consequently, she continued to create more negative karma for herself until she died.
I witnessed another situation closer to home, a family member who is an example of a Christian and who lives a clean wholesome life, along with her husband, children, and grandchildren. This woman told another relative that if he divorced his first wife, he would be destined for Hell. According to this woman’s beliefs and Christian interpretation of the Bible, the reasons for the man wanting a divorce were of no concern, once married, one had to stay married, regardless, if one was to avoid an eternity in HELL. It was very clear that this Christian woman had no clue that her judgment of the situation and her interpretation of the Bible could be in error. Her worldview was indeed restricted to her interpretation of (Biblical dogma).) She felt strongly that she was justified in her interpretations as well as her judgments. She also evoked the Universal Law of Karma and suffered for her actions and words. Her own son, a few years later, married and divorced two times and is presently married to his third wife, they are raising his two children from his previous marriage. This woman experienced first hand the pain and agony that the first two wives contributed to her son’s life, and finally to her grandchildren. The son, who became an example of (GOOD KARMA) worked diligently to establish a healthy, loving environment for his children. He is successful in co-parenting with the mother of his children and his wife. The children are loved by the entire extended family and they also have much love and respect for their Father. He proved that with patience, and heart-felt, good intentions, people can and will unite for the common good of children and families. LOVE always trumps hate.;"TRUTH" always triumphs over lies.
Remember what Jesus said to those people who wanted to stone the prostitute at the well, “ those among you without sin, cast the first stone.” With shame, the crowd dismantled. No stone was cast.
A teacher confessed to me that she had an unruly, disrespectful male student who was in need of anger management. All attempts to set limits and discipline for the student were to no avail due to the father who consistently interfered in the discipline. The parent was outraged when limits or consequences were set and would disturb her and or her classes with his continued angry outburst. The man used intimidation, manipulation, and control to coerce the teacher into allowing his son to skip all consequences for his negative, unruly behavior. He insisted that the fault was with the teacher and his son could do no wrong. The son who later, graduated from high school maintained his disorderly conduct, negative attitude, and angry outbursts ( which were in line with the examples given to him by his father) became a drug addict and is now in prison for selling and using illegal drugs. Another case in point, the father is “reaping what he sowed” for his negative actions and deeds and so is his son.
We all have our own stories regarding “reaping what we have sown.” our actions creating reactions, We create negative karma when we create problems for other people, in return, we create problems for ourselves. Perhaps it the time to stop blaming God, the creation of all life, the Source of everything and look closely at what we, ourselves are creating in our own lives. Pay close attention to what you are saying, your actions, your deeds and intentions. As difficult as this may be, it is the ONLY WAY that you will begin to see that 'We all are reaping exactly what we have sown." For those that practice the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed and Krishna to list a few of the great masters, it is not enough to just believe in these teachings, but it is mandatory that these teachings be practiced, implemented and lived daily. Otherwise, the importance of their meaning become a shallow by-product for those who refuse to see and live the truth.
We are sons and daughters of the Infinite Universal Intelligence, there is no one superior, no one person better than another. Everyone is equally loved. There is NO one without sin or flaws. And we all suffer. When one learns that everyone creates negative and good Karma for themselves, one learns to pay attention to their own actions, deeds, words, and motives, it is at this point one can choose to act for the good of everyone concerned. Acting for the good for all concerned brings about good karma. One suffers less by choosing what is best for everyone. The key point is to become AWARE of one’s choices, words, and deeds.
Ego= Negative (BAD )Karma=Suffering
Love= Positive (GOOD) Karma=Less suffering
The question that we all need to be asking is, “ why are good Christian people, and other devoted religious people, many of the spiritual folk as well as the rest of the population not getting the point?”
The answer is the same as it was 2000 years ago.
Matthew 7:5, In the King James Version of the Bible texts reads:
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam, out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou then see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
All of us are subject to the Universal Law Of Karma. We do not get by with anything, there are always consequences when we bring harm, sadness, destruction, heartbreak, deceit and judgement to another human being or any life form. The same is true for creating good Karma, we create good in our lives by being less selfish, helping others, and being kind.
Why is this very important aspect overlooked, down-played or does not receive a great deal of attention?
Perhaps, it is because loving others and ourselves is not easy to do, from our ego state of mind and it is far easier not to examine our own actions, words, and deeds. Ever notice, that when someone issues a put-down to another person, this act temporarily encourages the superiority of the person who issued the put-down?
SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT:
Spiritual advancement is assured if one has the discipline and desire to "know the Infinite Intelligence" (The Source of all things) (GOD)( The Father) and how it works in your life. Engaging in inner work, personal growth and development, meditation, centered prayer, and dream work are some TOOLS that are helpful. Jesus, clearly provided the path ( a road map)for redemption. His example for living one's life is also a testament to how to reduce our "NEGATIVE KARMA" in this lifetime and the next.
The higher states of consciousness allow one to obtain a greater understanding and wisdom. It is essential for all human beings to understand that one has to grow in wisdom and understanding in order to see clearly and make the necessary changes in oneself and one’s life. (Bringing what is unconscious to our conscious minds)
Shallowness, surface reality, condemning, judging or utilizing the analytical mind, will not enable you to grow into higher, spiritual wisdom, compassion and a connection to all human beings and all of life through the unified field of this Higher Intelligence.
One must reflect and observe one’s own deeds, behaviors, and attitudes. ( Remove the mote from your own eye.)
MOVE AWAY FROM PERSONAL EGO-IDENTITY AND INTO A UNIVERSAL COSMIC-IDENTITY. (MEDITATION)
AUTHENTIC POWER:
There is one more point that I would like to make, I am asked frequently, why I refuse to join groups or organizations?
I have spent most of my adult life working in leadership roles while managing non-profit organizations. I founded other non-profit organizations that served women and their children and participated as a member on several Board of Directors. The theme I witnessed throughout my career was the abuse of POWER over other people. This abuse of power was a theme in every organization that I managed and others that I served. I determined it was a disease that was spreading through society and something all human beings would need to become aware of in themselves.
Today's news and headlines warns us of this FACT. Pay close attention to who is "looking after the best interest of the entire population of people and who is just trying to "convince the majority of people" by the use of misinformation, and propaganda that they are concerned about the welfare of all of the people.. My observations have always led me to explore deeper, the hidden "TRUTHS." I strongly suggest that YOU do the same. One will never discover the TRUTH by simply accepting the SURFACE REALITY and the "good opinions of others."
I observed the people who sought the external power knew little about creative, problem-solving and solutions. They spent the majority of their time and energy on intimidation, control, and manipulation of other people.
They allowed their selfish, greedy, sense of superiority, to rule their actions with other people.
The people who wanted external power actually had NO authentic power. Those few whom I witnessed who exercised authentic power had a deeper understanding of themselves and their universal connection and had no interest in external power.
Authentic power and leadership are self-knowledge, wisdom, and insight to foster the good and what is best for everyone, and not just for themselves. Authentic power is inspiring and displays humility, openness, and honesty.
My observations enabled me to see first hand that external power is desired by the weak and cowardly. Those that want to exercise power over others feel powerless. Those who wish to control others feel no control over their own lives.
Thus, I concluded the Ego-Identity desires power, control and operates from FEAR and LACK. (Lower Mind) (BAD KARMA)
Authentic power does not act from fear. Authentic power comes from LOVE and INTEGRITY. (Higher Mind) (GOOD KARMA)
What will be your KARMA (good or bad) for your treatment of others?
SUMMARY:
Neuroscience is showing us that as a fetus in our mother's womb, our brains and bodies begin to form, we are like little sponges, soaking up all of the existing patterns in our environment. Due to the fact that most families are dysfunctional, the fetus is soaking into its subconscious mind, unhealthy patterns of living and existing in a family and in a community. These subconscious patterns are permeating throughout our lives until death. As we investigate the origins of our subconscious minds, unveil, the unhealthy patterns, and the inherited belief systems, we can bring to light the darkness that is controlling our lives. Thus, the more AWARE that we become of what is motivating us to behave, act and respond to our environment, the better our chances are to CHANGE our understanding and gain new perspectives of ourselves, others and the world.
In summary, "The EVOLUTION of HUMANITY" requires us to move past our shallow, selfish, ego-driven selves. As we move past our ego-identities, we will discover that we are supernatural beings that have the capacity to love deeply and experience the Mystical and the Divine.
The teachings of the great masters, implied that we “Walk Our Talk,” be the embodiment of Love, Hope, and Charity. Forgive those who have no idea that they are operating from their EGO-IDENTITIES. This does not require us to become door mats but instead enables us to set stronger boundaries. As we become more loving, in our daily lives, we will also become more aware of what and who is not loving. It is our birth right to become assertive in what is good for ourselves, our lives, the planet and others. Often we will be faced with a decision to end unhealthy, toxic, unloving relationships in order to replace them with healthy, supportive, caring, encouraging relationships.
IN THE WORDS OF THE LATE, DR. PAUL LEON MASTERS, author of Mystical Insights: Knowing the Unknown:
"THE POWER OF THE UNIVERSAL GOD PRESENCE IS BEYOND HUMAN THINKING. IT IS BEYOND REASON, ANALYSIS, LOGIC, AND ALL THE OTHER TOYS FOUND IN THE BOX OF THE FALSE SENSE OF PERSONAL EGO-IDENTITY. HOW DO WE BRING THIS POWER FOR GOOD INTO OUR LIVES? THINK LESS EVERY DAY! SHUT DOWN YOUR THOUGHT PROCESSES EVERYDAY THROUGH MEDITATION. THE LESS YOU THINK ON THE SURFACE LEVEL OF YOUR MIND, THE MORE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE UNIVERSAL GOD CONSCIOUSNESS WILL SURFACE TO THE FRONTAL PART OF YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS. EVENTUALLY, THOUGHTS IN YOUR MIND WILL BE EMERGING FROM THE UNIVERSAL GOD PRESENCE WITHIN YOU. GOD-INSPIRING THOUGHTS WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GOD GUIDED "INTUITIVE THINKING". THINKING LESS ABOUT WHAT SEEMS TO BE, AND LETTING GO TO FIND THE PRESENCE OF THE UNIVERSAL GOD CONSCIOUSNESS WITHIN, OPENS AN AWARENESS TO BEINGNESS WHERE ALL IS KNOWN, BUT NOT THOUGHT ABOUT."
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit (through factional motives, or strife), but with an attitude of humility, being neither arrogant nor self-righteous. Regard others as important as yourselves.
Author: K.D. Keever
December 8, 2019
References:
Mystical Insights: Knowing the Unknown by Dr. Paul Leon Masters
