Karma and Gratitude, What is it Really?
Karma. The most recognized buddhist term. If you're good, good things happen, and if you’re bad, bad things happen, right? Well, not exactly. The true meaning of karma is actually much simpler than that. If you do something, something will happen. That’s it. We add definitions and meaning to things being “good” or “bad”, but really its understanding that when you act, there will be a result. Cause and effect.
It sounds easy enough. But what is that action motivated by? If we act motivated by greed, hatred, or delusion, we are planting the seed of suffering; when our acts are motivated by generosity, love, or wisdom, then we are creating the karmic conditions for abundance and happiness. When we understand what karma is, we can see the enormous responsibility we have to become conscious of the intentions that precede our actions. If we are unaware of the motives in our minds, we may unmindfully act on them and thus create the conditions for future suffering.
To me, this is aligned with having empathy. When you have empathy, you are aware that other people have feelings and emotions, so much so you feel them, too. With this, an empathetic person is careful not to let their own actions affect others. The older I’ve gotten, the more empathetic I’ve become, especially after having Dedric. So much so, that I can sit and contemplate conversations, or even just negative words I’ve said YEARS ago and wonder how it possibly affected that person. If you've had a conversation with me, I probably thought it over for the rest of the day and wonder how my words were portrayed. Yes, even the smallest conversation I do this.
So even though the meaning of Karma is as simple as every action has a result, why are so many ignorant to their actions? We are all connected. All those little interactions to the big profound ones. You can make or break a person’s day by your actions. So why aren’t we more aware of this? That our individual actions, affect more than ourselves? This is the real karma.
Today I am grateful for my growth. For my deep understanding of others. For my empathetic nature, even when its my downfall, will always be a trait of mine I am proud of. I am grateful for finding Montessori, because it teaches empathy and awareness at such a foundational age. I get to teach empathy authentically, even to the youngest members, my toddlers. They understand when someone is hurt or sad, and a group will eagerly run to get a tissue for their friend. What happens as we grow, that we loose this? I am so grateful I understand this lesson, and am grateful I get to be around the most authentic little humans everyday. What an honor it is.
