Last week’s Friday 5’s got me to thinking about karma, and good versus bad bahavior. Thus, I’m posing some follow-up questions about what does or doesn’t constitute the building of good karma. I’ve been kicking these around in my mind this week, so please review and discuss: (submitted by Rev_Ed.)
1. If you perform a good act, but with bad intentions (i.e., you’re angry or hateful about doing it), does it still count as good karma?
I say no. Karma is all about intentions.
2. If there’s an accidental good outcome to something you did, can you count it in your karma column? Is there truly such a thing as an accident?
That is not a Karmic act, that is a result of Karma – Karma came in for you in the clutch.
3. What about white lies? Is it bad karma to say something you don’t mean–knowing that it’s nicer than what you were thinking?
Intentions once again. If your intent, through the white lie was to do good, I think it would “count” in the good karma category.
4. Is a bad intention at all on the same level as a bad act? (For example, is thinking “I’d like to see him killed,” on the the same degree as ‘pulling an MJ?’) Christianity, and some criminal statutes seem to think so, but I don’t happen to agree.
Yes. See above (Don’t you folks watch Earl on NBC? Weekly Karmic life lessons, y’all.)
5. Is it good/bad to stick up for yourself, knowing that doing so will inflict harm on others?
I think sticking up for self is a selfless act of preservation and part of the karmic balance. Yes, you can defend yourself. The strength of the karmic “bump” would in how you choose to defend yourself. Using words over a shotgun would perhaps give a more nuanced flow to the ying and yang of the karmic web.
6. What obligation, if any, do we all have to look out for each other?
That, my friends, was the Buddha’s greatest lesson. For that matter, Jesus and Mohammed as well all taught that the secret of life and soiety is to step back from personal gain and instead take time to look out for each other. Getting back to that message and away from the inevitable greed is part of the great Karmic puzzle.
1) No way Jose.
2) Absolutely. Count it.
3) I go with Roy on this one, It’s about the intentions. But the hard part comes in when you tell a little white lie and then the person finds out and it actually hurts them more. Hmmmm. Next question.
4) No, I think everyone has “bad intentions” at one time or anotther (probably daily). But, the karma comes in the act.
5)Stick up for yourself, makes it easier to look at yourself in the morror. Gotta believe in somethin’, might as well be yourself.
6)It comes naturally to look out for others if I am in Karmic balance. I don’t even need karmic glasses to look out for others right now.
!) I believe it all depends on the outcome. If it’s made someone happy then, good job!
@) I don’t think you should count the unexpected – it’s unreliable.
#) I’m moving closer & closer to just blurting my brain out at all times. I’m tired of softening blows.
$) Negative thoughts are inescapable, even for Kathie Lee. Negative actions may be avoided.
%) It’s survival of the fittest at all times.
^) I don’t think there’s an obligation at all but, I do try to be pleasant to every single person I come in contact with. Does that count?
First off, my apologies for this overly weighty topic–I’d simply hoped to spark a lengthy gmail chain, not hijack the 5’s. So my thoughts–which completely contradict with Roy’s. . .
1. Performing a good deed with an impure heart is neutral as far as I’m concerned. The good is passed along, but you’ve punished yourself by harboring anger or hate. ItÂ’s a karmic goose egg.
2. I no longer believe in accidents. What we call “accidents” are events whose underlying causes are too difficult or complex to understand. With that said, I happen to believe that when you’re an actor in such an incident, and it leads to a positive act, it adds bonus points to your karma column.
3. White lies? I struggle with this one as I tell them all day long. My intent, is usually to further my own well-being—without real regard for the other person. I have to say that they are negative.
4. Again, I disagree with Roy. The ability to harbor a bad intention—but to consciously not act on it—demonstrates compassion and an understanding of karma itself. I think learning to squelch bad thoughts makes you a better person.
5. This is a very hard question. I do think we all have a certain right to stick up for ourselves. Self-preservation is probably a stronger instinct than spirituality. Thus, if forced to defend oneself, one is given the right to deal with the consequences at a later time.
6. I’ll be very interested to see others’ answers to this one. The word “conscience” is delightful as it connotes “without science” leaving us to feel our way through this morass on pure instinct. I believe we have a general responsibility to attempt to brighten our worlds. I further believe we have deep, deep responsibilities to the people we choose to bring into our lives and cannot lose site of those responsibilities in our actions.
1. This is a fascinating question.. because this is suggesting that ‘Karma’ can read your mind and know your true ‘soul’. So you perform a good act, with selfish intentions.. Who’s to know? People who answer “no” to this may just be suggesting there is an omnicient power of some sort. I’m not saying there isn’t (I’m not THAT arrogant) but I *am* saying the various answers all raise compelling possibilities. How’s that for a ‘riding the fence’ answer? 😀
2. Again, if Karma exists, that means there are no accidents. So if there was unforeseen good outcome from something you did, I imagine you’d still be responsible for it. Let’s call it a “supporting role” in a Karmic Play.
3. Puritanism vs Buddhism. Lies are wrong in any form, according to George Washington (and the “Bible”). Now, if Martha ever said to him “George, does this penifore make my ass look big?” we’ll never know. Personally, I’m for a small white lie if it means sparing someone’s feelings a needless sting. Where that falls in the Karma Kolumns of life, I have no idea.
4. This falls into the same category for me as question 2. This implies that Karma knows what your intention is in the first place. What if you don’t realize on a conscious level that you have ill-intentions (such as the classic “Passive Aggressive” personality)? Just a thought. I still don’t know how to answer.
5. I think it’s important to stick up for yourself to set an example for others to follow suit, but it always depends on the circumstances. “But for everything there is a time.. There is a time to stand fast and a time to yield.” – David “The Shep”
6. We ABSOLUTELY have an obligation to stand up for each other, particularly those who cannot be advocates for themselves. We also have an obligation to sometimes let those around us sink-or-swim because that’s the only way to foster their growth.
Ah, what a complicated world we live in!
1. You must do good acts because it is good, not with intention. Thus doing a good act with poor intentions leads to bad karma.
2. Karma is merely the universe reacting…thus if you receive good or give good accidently, its still karma.
3. To abstain from lying is essentially wholesome. [Buddha]
4. What we intend is who we are, so yes, bad intentions with or without act, creates bad karma.
5. Karma is related to letting go, thus the need to defend oneself won’t exist if you let go, remember desire is the cause of all suffering.
6. However many wholesome words you read and speak, what good will they do you if you do not act sagaciously on them? [Taking off from Buddha]
Whew. Done. I tried to put my answers on here but was going to be truncated……… click and enjoy!
Friday Sevens
Today we have a special guest questioner asking person thingy, the Rev Ed. Last week’s question got Ed thinkin’ about Karma. He posed some specifics to us, and we will tackle them right here and now. That being said, let’s roll!
1. If you perform a good act, but with bad intentions (i.e., you’re angry or hateful about doing it), does it still count as good karma?
It does not benefit your personal karmic account, no. Accidentally doing good simply doesn’t cut it. God knows the difference, and so do I.
2. If there’s an accidental good outcome to something you did, can you count it in your karma column?
Nice try, but this is a retread of question 1. The answer remains no.
3. What about white lies? Is it bad karma to say something you don’t mean–knowing that it’s nicer than what you were thinking?
I don’t believe lies generate much karmic force one way or the other. White lies, like ‘gee, that was a terrific dinner’ do not generate negative karma… for their intentions are genuine (if a bit shallow). Frankly, I am giving you permission to white lie your little heart out. You will be judged by your actions and intent, so go volunteer for a charity and you wouldn’t have these dilemmas.
4. Is a bad intention at all on the same level as a bad act? (For example, is thinking “I’d like to see him killed,” on the the same degree as ‘pulling an MJ?’) Christianity, and some criminal statutes seem to think so, but I don’t happen to agree.
no. Many times a day I want to hurt someone out of frustration. Thinking these things is natural. How you seperate yourself from the animals is whether or not you act on them. For example, quite often I’d like to see someone nekkid. That is natural, it is how the species survives. How I take the high road is by not playing grab ass, since I am married and all. There is an old saying ‘there is no such thing as a selfless act’. Now that is a heavy one we can address later. One last thing, Christianity is total horseshit. If you want to follow a path, I strongly encourage Buddhism.
5. Is there truly such a thing as an accident?
yes, not everything is fate or destiny. Einstein and Hawking differ on this one, actually. Albert Einstein said ‘god does not play dice with the universe’. Steven Hawking said ‘god does indeed play dice with the universe’. Not sure what that means, cause I can’t really read. However, I think it means the crippled guy like craps and possibly has a gambling problem.
6. Is it good/bad to stick up for yourself, knowing that doing so will inflict harm on others?
It is imperative for you to defend yourself, especially if you believe you are defending right action. For details