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Spirituality
Law of Karma
by
Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi
November 20, 2005
 Each one of us is born with a unique genetic makeup, which provides a
basic template for our general behavior. This behavior is further
modified by the surroundings that one encounters in life. These
interactions especially in early life imprint powerful memories in our
brain. Our mind is nothing else but the total sum of our lifetime
memories. These memories which provide the makeup of our mind govern our
actions. Thus we react to events and circumstances according to this
makeup. Our actions then reinforce our memories in a feedback loop-type
mechanism. These memories or Sanskaras as Patanjali calls them in
his Yoga Darshan, are the genesis of Karma.
Karma is a Sanskrit word meaning action. However it embraces the whole
meaning of living. Thus according to Indian philosophy we are because of
our Karma. Thus our Karma or actions or deeds (both good and bad) decide
our future in this or the next life. Law of karma occupies a central
position in Indian philosophy.
According to some commentators the law of karma is very deterministic.
They claim that you are born according to your Karma, things happen to
you in your present birth because of your past Karmas etc. According to
them because of past Karmas it is not possible for one to change the
present life. This however negates the whole basis of Yoga which claims
that one can change the Sanskaras (memories) and hence ones life.
All the four systems of Yoga - Jnana, Raja, Bhakti and Karma teach us to
live positively in thought, words and deeds. This helps us in producing
positive memories and hence good Karma.
I therefore believe that each one of us has the power to change our
destiny and our memories by our actions in this life. Our actions change
the neural pathways in the brain and hence the mind, which guides us to
our future course of action. Thus we can change our memories or
Sanskaras through Yogic process and cultivation of deep thought.
This can subsequently change our Karma. Deep thought on any subject for
a long time is the essence of Yoga and is referred to as Sanyam
in Patanjali Yoga. Sanyam allows memory removal or sublimation of
existing memories into new ones. Thinking deeply about a subject for a
long time requires tremendous processing capability of the brain and it
can only be achieved if the mind gets rid of some of the existing
memories. This is the genesis of removing Sanskaras.
Modern brain researches do show that brain is pliable and is capable of
developing new neurons, neural pathways and hence memories. The
intensity of an experience dictates the quality of memory formation.
Deep thought allows a very intense experience. When we think
continuously and deeply about a particular thought tremendous processing
takes place in the mind, since the brain is evaluating millions of
alternatives. This processing can be thought of as a cyclonic activity,
which embraces other thoughts in its wake to produce the energy to focus
on a single item. This process when continued for a long time helps in
memory sublimation.
Why are we interested in getting rid of our memories ? Our lives are
full of happy and sad events. They produce happy and sad memories.
Unhappy memories in individuals lead to violence, hatred and general
unhappiness in the world. If we can willfully remove our unhappy
memories, it will help us live a more fruitful and happy life. Besides
it will also help us in liberating ourselves from the cycle of birth and
death.
Sometimes people feel that the the old unhappy or unpleasant memories
which do not surface may have been removed or sublimated. However they
surface again when we start thinking about some unpleasant events.
Somehow the brain has the capability of bringing out certain type of
memories as if they are stored in a certain section of the brain. Thus
if one thinks of unpleasant thoughts all the unhappy memories start
coming out. Similar is the case with pleasant and positive thoughts.
How can we remove the unhappy memories ? Besides the yogic process
another way is to think continuously about happy events so that this
process reduces the intensity of unhappy memories. Sometimes they can
also be removed completely. Initially it is difficult to do so but with
practice and patience it can be achieved. This process is much superior
to that of suppressing the unhappy memories. This is also the way nature
evolves where it makes the negative things irrelevant rather than
suppressing them. If we try to suppress the negative feelings and
memories they come back with much greater force.
Thus by positive thoughts, words and deeds or Karma we can change our
memories and can become happy.
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Spirituality
The Week of November 20, 2005
Law of Karma by Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi
Why Am I Here? by Shefali Burns
Global Threats,
Local Responses by Rajinder Puri
When will India get over Its Awe of White Skin?
by Kusum Choppra
The PM who
Placed India on Fast Trace to Global Power Status by Dr. Subhash Kapila
All You Who Seek Sleep Tonight by
Susan Philip
Gender Equality or Encashment of the Last Human
Resource by Kusum Choppra
Credibility of University Courses:
Uniform
Evaluation is the Answer by Prof. Raja Mutthirulandi
Caste System in Hinduism: A Historical and
Analytical Approach by Dr. RK Lahiri, PhD
India's African Past by Fatima Chowdhury
Goa and Garbage by Lionel Messias
Peace via Technology by Anat Cohen
Poet, Poetry and the Native Land by Alipta Jena
Footsoldiers Ask for a Better Deal by
Kathyayini Chamaraj
Brazil: Waiting for Their Land of Freedom by
Marlinelza B de Oliveira
At Peace in Conflict Zone
Child Warriors of Kashmir by Prakriiti Gupta
Shedding Light on the Dark Continent by Aparna
Sharma
Main, Meri Patni aur Woh by Kusum Choppra
A Second Lesson by NS Murty
Insanity by Anu Chopra
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