Empathy
This is the end of what turned out to be a four part series about problems which came up with my stolen car. I have long disagreed with the common perceptions of karma as punishments for bad deeds. I believe in a kind and forgiving God who would, perhaps, allow us to experience the consequences of our choices (as would a loving parent), but once a person has learned their lesson (e.g. a strong sense of remorse and commitment to doing things differently next time around), there is no point of punishing them for past mistakes. My idea of karma roughly fits with the more common perception, but it also conforms to my belief in a kind and loving God. I have on several occassions heard and read of exceptions to the law of karma and punishment for past misdeeds where a guru (or a great saint and spiritual teacher) can take on the bad karma of a disciple (or student), but that made no sense at all to me. Why punish a completely innocent person who has nothing to learn? I struggled with how this could be as I continued to seek the truth. My contemplations were further confounded by my own experiences. When dear friends or family members were facing major problems, in many cases I would get the same problem, though in a much easier form. What was going on? On contemplation I came upon another reason problems could come up in my life. In order for me to feel closer to the people around me, it is sometimes helpful for me to experience their pains and difficulties. While these relatively minor problems did not in themselves teach me any great lessons, they allowed me to better understand the people around me and their experiences. Through these problems I developed an increased ability to feel empathy with the people around me as well as compassion for their difficulties. This, in and of itself, made my life sweeter. Further, it has been my experience that for me to really help others it is not so much what I do, but rather the connection I develop and my intention to help. By developing empathy and compassion for others and their plight, I can develop my connection with them and visualize a way out of their current predicament (the thoughts, views, and mental habits which are causing them such misery). If I can't appreciate where they are coming from, how can I consider how they could change to get to a better place. It is by reaching out to them with caring and compassion that I increase the possibility that they may find a better way. So, another reason that problems may come into our lives is so that we can feel closer to those around us. These problems are not really lessons in the usual sense, but they are blessings which make our life sweeter and also can, indirectly, help those around us, helping them deal with the problems they face and learn their lessons more easily. Click here to see the next rambling tale.This page was last updated on July 9, 2008