Presented as a minor diversion from the personal practice series, the previous essay was in actuality, deceptively in line with the topic. Sampling the sweet flavor of karma and rebirth provides just a taste of a wildly delectable topic. Its depth however, penetrates far beneath the surface of what may be discovered within these pages, and the reasons for its inclusion, multifold.
As part of the impetus to developing a personal practice, cultivating a steadfast motivation is vital. Nothing of great importance will ever be achieved without it. While there is no one inspiration that will affect all, the intricacies of karma and rebirth assuredly, do. Whether we believe or not, universal law is much like gravity; we will still hit pavement if we fall. Doubt, skepticism and confusion, however, may serve as an ally in balancing our efforts to discover these truths for ourselves.
Yet, even for those who have studied the systemic nature of karma and rebirth, the resulting conclusions are invariably conceptual. For, without the experience of direct realization, we are bound by the overwhelming sense that the circumstances we’re currently enmeshed within, are singularly the most important. Spawning tremendous urgency, this achieve happiness at all costs attitude, is an engendered aspect of this inference.
The influence societal conditioning imposes upon our understanding of the universal world-structure cannot be underestimated. Supported by this model, we are driven to maddening extremes to ensure our immediate fulfillment — but for the majority, something persistently remains out of reach. Ignoring the obvious and entertaining the unimportant, for the sake of temporary satiation, our focus is on the wrong game.
We’re stuck in a loop. As the cultural majority exemplifies, endorses and encourages our behavior, it would appear that we’re indeed heading in the right direction. Appearances, however, can be deceiving. It’s only upon taking a purposeful step back and adjusting our perspective, that we may begin observing and identifying the incongruity for ourselves.
This is important. Even those with aspirations beyond the mainstream grind are often swayed by a similar misguided sense of security. Presuming a more altruistic aim has been adopted, it may feel as though conventional perils have been circumnavigated. However, this direction also offers no pervasive guarantees.
We can have a fundamental understanding of what karma means and even agree with the implications. But, until we develop concrete certainty, coupled with an assimilated sense of purpose, it is likely we are merely applying the same set of societal standards to a different, yet parallel, game. Non-integrated acceptance of karma and rebirth does not change our susceptibility to tripping into its pitfalls.
What lies beyond our current range of vision may only be clearly perceived by enhancing the acuity of our perception. As our inquisitive nature often appears to fade along with our youth but this doesn’t mean the questions go away entirely. Continually probing solutions to the unanswered, the subtle, yet determined, inner-workings of awareness maintain a soft subsistence beneath the surface of our conscious mental activity.
It is within these shadowy gaps that the mind possesses the greatest degree of latent potential. Karma and rebirth are [relatively] unsurpassed topics of study and reflection through which, over time, the elasticity of unencumbered exploration may be cultivated. Inherently, we possess all that is necessary to encourage these subtle aspects of perception to slowly ripen.
However, it requires an active resolve to take the steps that turn enquiry into experience; it also takes time. Viewing the beginning and ending of this lifespan as limiting, only occurs when the curtains that prevent us from seeing beyond this border are opened. Until these obstructions are removed, our six senses will be firmly supported by our intellectual and societal conditioning, proving otherwise.
The decision is ultimately ours. We can accept the periphery of what we know, as all there is to know — or set our gaze toward a limitless horizon. It is with determination to perceive the latter, that self-imposed limitation will gradually dissipate. Igniting these sparks is what will cause this light of wisdom to start flickering.
Ultimately, the seeds of luminescence are within our grasp. It’s only through loosening our grip and letting go that they will be released into the wind. And thus, the process of growth begins.
~ by Christine Fowle ~ Image Credit: joelbird (Deviant Art)