The
essence of the guru is the guru.
With
the tool of recognition, we have a choice.
It
is very important to know that karma is not destiny. Past karmic influences that contribute to our
present circumstances do not determine the future. Our behaviour determines our future; in other
words, our future is determined by whether we engage in behavior that intends
to harm or help ourselves and others. We
create our own karma, so the more we take responsibility for our actions, the
more we increase our capacity to create the life we want to live.
The
mind continuously reaches out to change outside circumstances or pulls back to
avoid them. Reaching out toward the new
car or favorite food, reaching for a partner or prestige. Grasping. Craving. A mind never content with
the present.
Once
we start our path to dharma, every practice is an awareness practice.
Whatever
harm I caused or may have caused to any sentient being in all my past, whatever
negative karma I have accumulated, I pray that I may now be purified for the
benefit of all sentient beings.
Investigate
the insecurities that make you reach for external reassurances.
The
causes of bad karma are ignorance.
Ignorance is not realizing the true nature of reality; it is not
realizing no-self, emptiness, or the nature of mind. If ignorance remains, then duality remains,
concepts remain, and negativity gets tuck.
That is samsara, the ways that we cling to false notions of reality; and
when we function from our misconceptions and cling to them, we continue to
create suffering for ourselves and others.
