Releasing Our Thought Karma

You are not a helpless victim of your own thoughts, but rather a master of your mind. What do you need to let go of? Take a deep breath, relax, and say to yourself, "I am willing to let go. I release. I let go. I release all tension. I release all fear. I release all anger. I release all guilt. I release all sadness. I let go of all old limitations. I let go, and I am at peace. I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with the process of life. I am safe."  - Louise L. Hay

 

It seems many of us think of “karma” strictly in terms of outward physical actions.  If you hurt another; you will be hurt back.  This is actually just the surface of events that spring forth from the unseen realms of mind and consciousness.  Once we have entered into the domain of physical happening, it is already over.  The deed has been done and there is no turning back.  We might try to “take back” words spoken in anger.  We might wonder if certain negative thoughts contributed to our current situation.  Our experience of reality is the outcome of our inner processes vis-à-vis the processes of nature.

Karma is composed of a three dimensions of activity: thought, emotion and action.  If we don’t pay attention to thought and desire, we have little control over our actions.  If we are not aware of our thoughts then we are controlled by our emotions.  It is at the level of thought that we might possibly have some leverage in this cosmic deal.  The problem is that most of our thought processes happen on a subconscious level.  Unfortunately, whether we are aware or not, these thoughts affect our health, our careers, relationships and the shared world that we deem “reality.”  Underneath it all is a deeper level of reality referred to in Yogic terminology as Atman, “the Self.”  When we are aware at this level we are free from the compulsions of thought, emotion and habitual activities.  As Nisargadatta Maharaj explains, “When you are free of the world, you can do something about it. As long as you are a prisoner of it, you are helpless to change it. On the contrary, whatever you do will aggravate the situation.” 

Meditation helps us step into the Atman level of perception.  It helps us to step outside of our personal dramas and experience the presence of the timeless infinite being within.  Because we are temporarily experiencing ourselves as human beings, we are continually pulled back into thought, desire and action.  It’s alright that is what we are here to experience.  Meditation however gives us access to that deeper, more expansive way of knowing.  Instead of just living the drama, we are at least able to edit the script.

With a deep cleansing breath we are able to let go of inner storms of confused thoughts and emotions, rest briefly in all-pervading peace and then reengage with the “real world.”  The first step is to formulate positive, loving and compassionate thoughts.  Let these turn into positive, loving and compassionate feelings and deeds.  In this way your thoughts can change the world.