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Originally Posted by hotwired  Q. How can we erase or reduce past karma? I've heard that we must pay our karmic debts. Does this mean, literally, that if I sewed "100 lbs of misery" in my past, that I must also endure "100 lbs" back or am I being too literal?? |
A. If you pick up 100 lbs., you must put down 100 lbs. Preferably before your arms get tired and you drop it on your toe.
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Originally Posted by hotwired Q. what are some ways of tackling some really persistent negative thoughts and daydreams. (bad things happening to people you love, doing things you know you would never that would wreck your life, etc.) |
A. Thoughts about negative thoughts are themselves negative thoughts. Fighting negative thoughts keeps them around. Consciousness is an empty space into which thoughts, emotions and exterior experiences arise. Anything you hold onto stays in there and creates more. When something arises in your space that you don't want; allow it to leave and turn your attention back to what you do want.
This is why gratitude is a powerful tool; it turns your awareness to positive thought and emotion and creates an attitude of allowing. When you notice negative thoughts arising, consciously turn away and notice everything good that is arising.
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Originally Posted by hotwired Q. Sometimes it feels selfish to focus on feeling good (per the advice of all "LOA" proponents) and I get panicky thinking that perhaps I'm forgetting something as a father, husband, etc.. Any thoughts? |
A. Elevate your intentions to the highest level possible. Some people will teach you to be very specific in your intentions, and when you have specific desires you need to do that. But when you want to change your general bearing, you can't turn the ship one board at a time. For top-down changes, adopt top-down intentions. Again, turn away from the negative and doubting feelings and adopt gratitude and confidence.
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Originally Posted by hotwired Q. If I'm feeling sh***y about something I did, what's the highest course? I don't want to ignore it. I mean, I want to make sure I take whatever steps I can to learn from it and move on, but I don't want to get stuck in guilt, remorse and fear. (i.e. spoke sharply to my wife, or even something a year or more in the past) |
A. See answer 1.
I hope my thoughts are helpful to you, Ken. I think the most important thing is to find a way to connect with your joy -- which is always there -- in every conscious moment, and as your awareness increases, the moments of conscious joy will increase and take over the space of your awareness.
Best,
Andy