Class Summary
Friday , January 31, 2025
After opening prayers we discussed 2 quotes from Gurudev
1. "There is no destiny beyond and above ourselves; we are ourselves the architects of our future."
This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of self-determination. Swami Chinmayananda suggests that we are not at the mercy of some external force or predetermined fate. Rather, we shape our own future through the choices and actions we make today.
2. "If you can surrender the results of your actions at the center of your dedication, be it God or a nation or a profession, the action becomes Karma Yoga."
This quote highlights the essence of Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action. By dedicating the results of our actions to a higher purpose—whether it be spiritual, national, or professional—we transcend selfishness and attachment. Surrendering the outcomes allows us to act without ego, transforming every task into an act of devotion and service.
Introduction to the Doctrine of Karma
The doctrine of karma,is a complex and multifaceted concept. It is rooted in the law of cause and effect, where every action (karma) has a corresponding result (phala). While this seems straightforward, the outcomes are often unpredictable due to hidden variables that influence the results. For instance, a seemingly simple action like hitting a billiard ball can produce unexpected outcomes due to factors like the angle of the strike, air movement, or the condition of the table. This unpredictability is a key feature of karma, and the teachings surrounding it help make sense of life's unexpected events.
The Concept of Drishta and Adrishta Phala
Karma produces two types of results: drishta phala (seen results) and adrishta phala (unseen results). Drishta phala refers to immediate, observable outcomes, like the ball falling after being dropped due to gravity. On the other hand, adrishta phala refers to results that are not immediately visible or experienced but will manifest later, either in this life or in future lives. These unseen results are tied to actions from previous lives and play a crucial role in explaining why life events often unfold unpredictably.
The Role of Punya and Papa Karmas
The doctrine of karma divides actions into two categories: punya karma (good or virtuous actions) and papa karma (bad or harmful actions). Performing good deeds, such as kindness or service to others, creates punya, which leads to favorable adrishta phala in the future. Conversely, harmful actions, such as rudeness or dishonesty, create papa, resulting in adverse outcomes later. The doctrine explains that every individual accumulates both punya and papa over time, which affects their future experiences in ways that may not be immediately apparent.
Unpredictable Outcomes and Hidden Variables
Life's unpredictability is often attributed to hidden variables—unseen factors that influence outcomes. The adrishta phala from past actions can fructify at any moment, making life's events seem random. While terms like "luck" or "randomness" are used to describe these outcomes, they often mask the deeper workings of karma. The rishis of ancient India used the doctrine of karma to account for these unpredictable results, suggesting that every event, even those that seem random, is influenced by unseen karmic forces.
Hidden variables in the context of karma refer to unseen factors that influence the outcomes of our actions in ways we may not immediately recognize. These variables can include things like past karmas, external circumstances, and even the subtle intentions behind our actions. For example, when you perform an act, like helping someone, the visible result (drishta phala) might be that you feel good or the person is helped. However, the unseen impact (adrishta phala) could manifest later, possibly in the form of receiving help when you least expect it, due to past positive actions you have accumulated.
These hidden variables also encompass the interconnectedness of life. Every action we take doesn't just affect us in isolation—it interacts with a complex web of other actions, people, and conditions. For instance, a random act of kindness might trigger positive outcomes not just for you, but also for others, even though the immediate result may seem small. The outcomes of our actions are influenced by factors beyond our control, such as timing, environment, and even the responses of other people, all of which can lead to unpredictable consequences.
The role of hidden variables is a central part of understanding karma's unpredictability. They help explain why the results of actions are not always straightforward or as expected. This complexity encourages a broader perspective on life's events, reminding us that things are not always as they seem. The doctrine of karma teaches that unseen forces shape the results of our actions, often leading to unexpected outcomes that can only be fully understood with patience and a deeper awareness of the interconnectedness of all things.
Karma as a Tool for Understanding Life's Challenges
The doctrine of karma provides a meaningful way to understand suffering and joy in life. For example, it offers an explanation for why bad things happen to good people, such as terminal illness, by attributing these events to the fructification of adrishta phala from past lives. Unlike other religious or philosophical perspectives that may struggle to answer such questions, karma offers a framework where both good and bad outcomes are seen as the results of past actions. This understanding encourages patience and resilience, helping individuals navigate life's unpredictable challenges with a greater sense of composure and acceptance.
We ended class with a video by Gurudev " How to purify the mind" that talked about Karma Yoga.
