Eclipse Effect
Karma is not some debt you pay. Karma is a system within the Law of Resistance. Would you believe that the karmic condition is one of the best things you have going for you? That’s right. For every degree of positive energy you put out, you will bring back an equal and positive effect. The opposite is also true. Therefore, since you can’t run from the conditions set in motion, you’d better learn to love them. Gregge Tiffen (Open Secrets: Karmic Identifiers – August, 2011)
There is no such thing as ‘bad’ karma. There is only cause and effect, an infinite cycle of co-creation.
I’ve been thinking about cause and effect this week on many levels. At the global level, I muse about the conflicts and divisiveness present in our culture. I catch myself casting aspersions and blame. Then I remember that my thoughts matter. They become a part of mass consciousness, and my negativity does nothing to raise that consciousness. On the contrary, negativity keeps me stuck in beliefs about right/wrong, good/bad as if those are real. And, it contributes to keeping mass consciousness stuck in that which perpetuates conditions of discord.
Up close and personal, I found myself labelling several issues around the house and Luke’s annual August allergies as ‘problems’ that I needed to ‘solve’, burdens to handle so I could get on with ‘life’. I noticed that I was snappy with myself and my beloved pet. I caught myself barreling toward victim mode, just short of casting a strong dose of self-blame and sentencing myself to hours (or days) of self-inflicted misery.
And, then I remembered I could choose differently.
Choosing differently doesn’t mean putting on a fake smiley face and pretending that ‘all is right with the world’. It isn’t. For me it means maintaining consistent awareness of my thoughts about current events and mindful of how I respond, both internally and externally. I notice the huge learning opportunity that presents. When, where and how do I express my care and my values in ways that make a positive contribution? Without clear answers, I can only listen within, follow my inner-guidance, notice what shows up, and do my best to maintain peace within along the way.
The ‘stuff’ that presents itself in daily life and business maintenance likewise presents what Joan Borysenko calls the choice “to practice stress or to practice peace”.
Each choice is a karmic one. Moment to moment, day to day we are choosing, consciously or not, how to be in life. We are choosing whether to engage positively or negatively with life conditions. With each choice we are putting out energy that will bring back an effect. At the surface, our choices are simple. But, like so many simple things, implementation is not always easy. Choosing to practice peace and to put out positive energy requires attention, awareness, intention and the courage to buck the world’s call to join its pity party.
This week I invite you to join me in consciously and courageously choosing peace and positivity.
Days End - A Beautiful Sunset in the San Luis Valley