If karma is real...where does forgiveness fit in.?

Question

Is there any such thing as forgiveness...if we keep having to do the karma thing?

Some people say that you "inherit" karma from previous lives to "learn lessons".If that's so..then I'm gonna have to live a lot more lives.

nuff..when I thought I was born again..what I used to say was that my "want to's " changed.I only wanted to do God's will and serve Him.

craig...How are you supposed to have empathy for murderers etc.? Anyone who preaches forgiveness hasn't had the ultimate "test". Besides ...how do you forgive someone who isn't sorry...and even laughs about it.?

Answer 1

When you ask about Karma and Forgiveness I get the feeling you are pulling the concepts from two viewpoints that have been merged. Karma comes from the Eastern traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. The bottom line on karma is that we basically create it by living. It is only someone, according to these traditions that attains a state of enlightenment, in Buddhism this is called the buddha citta or buddha mind. Once you attain this you become aware of the karma you create by choice and can therefore live by the "way" and break the cycle of karma. Now the theory on reincarnation ties in with this, but it is in these teachings, thought that a person who is unenlightened is reborn but does not have the capacity of awareness to do so consciously thus losing memory of their former lives, whereas, true reincarnation is a conscious choice of a master.

The forgiveness you mention is more along the lines of the Christian theology and in that theology the idea of original sin begins with Adam and Eve. Once they fell from grace, they became aware of the sinfullness of their actions (prior they were ignorant to it) and because they became aware, they were then accountable. This caused them to grow old and die, though they lived much longer than we do today. This original sin was passed down generation to generation to even you and I. The sin we inherit from birth is paid in full when we physically die. The sins we incur by commiting them willfully in life cannot be forgiven by death and so God sent Christ to earth to live and fulfill his prophecy, where he was crucified and shed his blood as a sacrifice for our sins. This blood cleanses us of our sin so we do not have to be seperated from God if we accept Christ as our saviour. There are expectations that remain after this act of acceptance and we are told many times to turn from sin and follow the ways of Christ.

So, there you go, two different theologies. I personally subscribe to Christianity, it is a simple faith based on a simple concept, love thy neighbor as thyself. I have however studied and practiced many other religions which is why I can give you the answers I just did.

In either theology, you don't get a karma/sin credit card where you pay off the balance now or later.

My suggestion is to consider it from a simply physics standpoint...go back to Newton. Every action causes a reaction. If you want good things to happen then do good.

I won't press any theological preference on you, I think it is important that you use your own free will to explore them and come to your own determination.

All the best!
Bill White
http://www.synchronicityexpert.com

Answer 2

Karma has no time limits, on the way to total consciousness your spirit collects good and bad Karma. Only when the pieces fall into place during each succession, will bad Karma be shed.

You can decide that it would be too difficult to get rid of bad Karma and give up on your quest to having a peace-full life. Wouldn't it be better than set up a better future by ridding this life of as much bad Karma, have no regrets in passing and realize total consciousness at that moment?

Our comfort with spiritual pain, mimics the comfort we derive from physical pain - the realization of being.

Forgiveness comes from within - aren't we are own best critics and cheerleaders?

Answer 3

it doesnt, by karma, we control everythng so there is nothing to be forgiven, unless your trying to find peace alone by yourself.
Edit: John thats not exactly how being saved happens. there is no automatic forgiveness for everything you have ever done. And anyone who believes this is denying the teachings of christianity. Just because you have been saved does not give you a license to do anything you want to and be forgiven. When you take Christ as savior, your changing your entire life to live in a way of grace, forgiveness, and love for all man kind.Nobody gets into heaven until Jdgement day, with the exception of kids, they are innocent and cannot sin until they reach the age of reason. Everyone has to stand judgement whether your saved or not.

Answer 4

Karma can be difficult to debate sometimes. New Age and other spiritual teachers have competed and contradicted each other on the final 'truth' about Karma. It is after all one of those deep Eastern concepts which typically get 'mangled' in the West. (eg reincarnation vs Heaven/Hell).

My present position is that ultimately all is well as we are inseparable drops in the great ocean of Consciousness. Any karmic effects are holy lessons not judgements for being in an unforgiven state.

Answer 5

Forgiveness is a Christian idea to make people think they can unload their evil deeds somehow. Do you really believe that some slime ball, like the green river killer or Charles Manson, can be forgiven of mass murder? I don't!
In the Jesus crowd, they say that all you have to do is believe in him and you go to heaven. So that means that some evil guy can get into heaven while a Hindu mother who has never sinned goes to hell! I don't believe this is true. No religion has the exclusive set of keys to heaven.

Answer 6

Karma is simply the law of nature that says you recieve bak what you send out either good or bad. Forgiveness is something humans do not for the other person who wrong us but for our own good mental health.
BB

Answer 7

Good question.

You don't have to dig too deeply to find a lot of problems with the idea of karma. As with any other untestable supernatural belief system, there is no reason to think there is anything to this karma thing.

Answer 8

Forgiveness is necessary for one's ability to truly love. The only person who can forgive anyone is their self.

Answer 9

Karma is just a concept, its nothing magical or paranormal.
It basically means, Do onto others as you would have others do unto you.

Answer 10

ITA with Wiccan Rider.