What is Karma?

I posted my definition of karma in response to discussion generated by my comments about suicide: if I encounter the same problem over and over, there’s a lesson to be learned.  I don’t see karmic events as punishment for past life mistakes, but as challenges which facilitate development.

A forum member replied, “Your definition of karma is astounding.  Lately I’ve been asking myself what karma is and your definition seems like a message for me.  In light of it, how would you account for the suffering of  a child who loses a parent or experiences abuse? Aren't they too young to know right from wrong?”

My answer follows:

I experienced some fairly severe child abuse, so I’ll speak from my own understanding here.  I could say “I believe”, but in fact, I know: we set up the conditions of this life prior to entering our bodies.  We choose our parents in advance and set up challenges to be solved.  This, however, does not mean our lives are entirely predestined. Within the conditions we set, there are infinite possibilities.  It may seem strange, but I found the idea that I'd chosen my parents immensely comforting.  There’s a world of difference between choosing something, and having it thrust upon you. 

The reasons for these choices will vary, but some souls choose to take a giant leap forward in one lifetime.  Suffering and (more importantly) what’s learnt from suffering is one way to do this.  I’ve learnt a lot about empathy and compassion.  Some people hear a story of despair, and ask, “Why don’t you pull yourself together?”  Someone who’s been there knows: if that was possible the person would have done it.  They will have a deeper understanding.

I hope I don’t confuse you when I say karma can also play a role here.  However, once again, the soul chooses to work out karma in this way.  These connections are often extremely intimate.   Your mother in this life may have been your child in another.  These choices are made “before” incarnation.  “Where two or more people are involved (in any event at all), appointments are being made in Framework two” (Seth; words in parentheses are mine).  Framework two is the mental realm and, in fact, far more real than the physical realm, which Seth refers to as Framework one. 

On the other hand, I don’t condone violence of any kind.  The rule of choice always applies.  I realised this when I had my own daughter.  Society tells us violence is a cycle and abused children become abusive parents – a terrifying prospect for me until I realised this was a lie.  I had choices and exercised them the best I could.  In spite of my history, I chose peaceful ways of negotiating parenting with my daughter.  Hopefully, we’ve broken the cycle forever.

There is another element at play here:  although life and its struggles seem very real to us, the truth is we’re involved in a “passion play”.  Think of Shakespeare’s words:

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts…

(from “As You Like it”)

While we attach great importance to our experience in the physical, the reality is no matter how awful things may seem, the “essential me (or you) can never be harmed.  It is immortal and inviolable without exception.  It is this knowledge that makes some people so strong in the face of adversity – those who survive unspeakable horrors such as concentration camps, and are still able to love and live are in touch with the source of their being.  In fact, the knowledge usually grows out of the experience.

It’s also helpful to know that while we act out our parts on the stage during the day, we get to go home every night, in our dreams.  I suggest making a practice of writing down your dreams.  This helps you recall them.  You may also give yourself suggestions before sleep to have certain kinds of dreams, and tell yourself you’ll remember them.  Afternoon naps can be very conducive to dreaming.  I often remember day time dreams much better, as the boundaries between sleeping and waking (these are really artificial anyway) are much less pronounced.

I hope I’ve answered your question.  However, while I can share knowledge with you, what I can’t give you is experience.  It’s one thing to believe what we’re told and quite another to know it through practical application.  If there’s one author I’d recommend to anyone interested in growth, knowledge and experience, it’s Seth/Jane Roberts.

Seth/Jane’s books contain exercises (122 in all) designed to develop your abilities and help you find out for yourself what life is really all about.  They aren’t the easiest books to read, to begin with, but if you persevere you become accustomed to the style and the new forms of information provided.  In performing the exercises you will see results very quickly; usually within a couple of weeks.

Please, feel free to ask me anything,

Love Chanson