An endless topic; quite literally. Not this life, but your last one… not that life, but the next life. And the energy movement continues; through them all. It’s quite beautiful and the wise ones say it is liberating. Apparently, it is freeing to know your life’s momentum is following the karmic energy of actions past. That you are drawing from a pool of older karmic energy to make every action you have in this lifetime, thus creating the karma stockpile for the/your next cycle.
It’s been taking me awhile to adjust to this understanding and, more importantly, find the freedom in it. My western mind doesn’t like the idea of being out of control of my life’s tradjectory: But this is mine! MY life is MINE! I buy the gas for this vehicle I call me. To let go of this, is an elimination of my existence, right?!
So, I stamp my foot like only an ungrateful adult who has lived a very #blessed life can. And, yet, knowing what I know, it still feels impossible to separate myself from these acts I do, these decisions I make, these unpredictable realities that have a very large impact on what I call my life. But if we (or maybe it’s just me) are looking for a more impactful existence on this planet, I find it enormously useful to not think of my life as my own. My existence is for this lifetime and to ensure the next one continues on and on, etc.
So I have found a smidge of freedom in this abridged understanding of karma. So while I sit with this newer understanding that my life is not a mine that my actions are setting the stage for the next life to draw upon… I now more than ever want to be reincarnated as a Mango Tree. And yes, I definitely believe this is not how this all works (disclaimer: reincarnation is not karma), but I do know for certain it will give me an excellent benchmark.
I want to bear fruit for all the beings and creatures that want it. Take it all. I want to nurture all that are in need of sour, delicious nourishment. And this, this would very much be enough.
roadside yogi 