A key aspect of enlightenment is understanding the value of humility. It takes true humility to recognise that we are no better than anyone else, regardless of how well we live, eat, or sleep, or how much access we have to education, wealth, or comfort. Neither material abundance nor privation are prerequisites for enlightenment. Instead, the sincere pursuit of the truth brings us closer to it. The problem lies in our perception—we often see ourselves as perfect beings in an imperfect world, ripe for exploitation. This flawed self-perception leads us to envy those in positions of power and status, mistakenly adopting them as our role models. We strive to attain what they have, believing we must improve our "imperfect" environment. In this pursuit, we rely on our creativity to invent, manufacture, and exploit, building financial systems to fuel our desires, greed, and ignorance. We may feign compassion and sympathy for the suffering of others, but life continues whether we are paying attention or not. Undoing this deep-seated mindset, ingrained over lifetimes, requires immense conviction and wisdom, and even more so to prevent passing it on to future generations.
The world has witnessed vast destruction and change since Lord Gautama Buddha’s first discourse on Karma over 2,500 years ago. Empires and dynasties have risen and fallen, while others persist now under the guise of democracy and industry. The world has transformed dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, and over just a few generations, people have consciously altered their behaviours to align with social norms. However, these changes are often superficial, serving as a survival strategy to conceal our true desires and thoughts. Outward displays of compassion and generosity mask our inner guilt and pity for those we deem less fortunate, driven not by true understanding but by misconceptions rooted in our Karmic emotions.
Karma is a complex truth. It arises from our intentions and actions (or inactions) in past lives, manifesting as sensations, feelings, and emotions in this life. To end the cycle of Karma (and suffering), we must neutralise these karmic sensations, feelings, and emotions before they gain a stronger hold on us. We must seek to resolve the underlying Karmic sensations and feelings that fuel our emotions. Ignoring (inaction) only ensures they will be carried into our next life. Karma is not just about actions; our inactions also play a role in creating Karma. The feelings and emotions we harbour toward others—whether a spouse, child, competitor, or neighbour—become ingrained in our Spirit, which acts as the medium through which they are propagated into future lives. If not carefully managed, these karmic emotions will resurface, impacting us in ways we may not understand in a future life. While Karma is sophisticated, it is not insurmountable. Once we have understood how our sensations, feelings, and emotions give rise to Karma, we have a fighting chance to overcome it.
It’s important to recognise that there is no such thing as good or bad Karma. Our perception of events as good or bad depends on the strength of our emotional response. When we have negative Karmic emotions towards someone or something, we will naturally react strongly to the stimuli. Conversely, if our Karmic emotions are more positive, we respond favourably to the same stimuli. The stronger our Karmic feelings and emotions, the more likely we will react intently or intensely to a given event or circumstance. While this may seem straightforward, our lack of awareness of Karmic emotions often leads us into unflattering situations. To break this cycle, we must first master the art of observation.
Begin by observing yourself, a natural human ability, to identify what makes you angry, happy, or sad. Notice what annoys you or calms you. Observe how you react to those around you—spouses, children, friends, colleagues, or strangers—and consider how you might respond differently, or anticipate how others might react when you change your responses or make a different response. Next, observe others and how they handled various situations. It’s good to remember that others may also be unaware of their Karmic emotions so keen observation can reveal subtle behaviours about them that they may not have noticed. The goal of observing others is not to get involved in their situations, but to watch as if you are in a movie theatre observing how engrossed others are in the "movie" of their lives. This practice will naturally awaken your subconscious mind and heighten your awareness of Karmic emotions.
The fact that life is suffering suggests that we are naturally and karmically inclined toward negative sensations, feelings, and emotions. We may work hard to improve our lives, participate in feel-good activities, and momentarily conjure positive emotions, but experience shows these feelings are fleeting. Soon, we find ourselves back in the negative emotions that drive us in a continuous cycle. Without realising it, we permit ourselves to remain ignorant day after day. We remind ourselves to stay positive, but only for as long as we can remember. This is why it’s essential to be aware of our sensations, feelings, and emotions and focus our minds on tasks that genuinely make a difference in our lives.
For instance, if you harbour strong negative emotions toward someone, try listing five positive traits about him/her instead of fuming at the person. You might discover that a small adjustment like this can shift your perspective. It may be a small step, but with each little success in overcoming Karma, a new life takes root.