Awareness sows seeds of karma

Only when we learn to integrate Dharma—principles of ethical living, we can exit the karmic loop.
Image for representational purpose only.
Image for representational purpose only.

Today, let us learn how to exit this loop of rebirth? We all know that desires have a strong hold over us. Only when we learn to integrate Dharma—principles of ethical living, we can exit the karmic loop. Devi Adiparashakti created the earth so that during its evolution, every soul gets the opportunity of a human incarnation and experientially understand human ethics. The earth is designed primarily as a training ground for all the souls to learn and understand these eternal principles that reunite us with our divine source. Till we acquire the knowledge required to remove our ignorance, we will not attain emancipation.

There are six realms of existence which are subtler than the earth or Bhuloka known as Bhuvarloka, Suvahloka, Mahaloka, Janahloka, Tapahloka and Satyaloka.  These are realms where souls learn the subtler truths behind Creation and live in complete harmony with divinity. If we wish to enter these higher realms, we must first master life’s ethics, and transcend the cycle of repeated births. The number of rebirths we undergo is directly proportional to the number of desires we generate. When our desires imprison our consciousness for too long and hinder our progress, Devi Adiparashakti sends a guru to activate, guide and teach us the true principles of life. Our guru enlightens us by releasing us from the bondage of karma and places us at the Lotus Feet of Devi.  

All of us have worldly, transactional desires as well as selfless, sublime desires. People, whose desires are largely selfless, immerse themselves in charitable activities or seva for the well-being of other souls. Their entire life is spent in helping and uplifting those who are less fortunate than themselves. When we perform seva without any expectations, our desires do not bind us in any way or cause rebirth. So, with awareness, we must minutely examine the motives behind our own actions. Know that even the desire for recognition or appreciation is an expectation. Expecting a “thank you” also generates karma. In this way,  desires have silently invaded every nook and corner of our lives.

Normally, when our karma manifests as trouble and pain, we ignorantly pray: “God, when will you liberate me from this agony?” Sage Kashyapa tells us that this is not the way we should pray because we are once again falling into the trap of karma. Instead, pray:

“Dear God, I know that this is the bitter fruit of my own past actions. Please forgive me for the mistakes I have knowingly or unknowingly committed in the past. Give me the wisdom and openness to accept it in the right spirit and willingly learn all the lessons that my karma brings me. Let every circumstance in my life make me evolve and grow.” With this prayer, we accept the fact that our own behaviour in the past has sown the seeds of karma which are sprouting now in the present.  This prayer also becomes a powerful resolution that activates our awareness and burns heaps and heaps of our karma to ashes.
ashram-india@ shrinimishamba.org

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