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. Theoretically, yes... but it can take many different forms, and it may not feel like 100 lbs particularly, maybe more and maybe less. Karma is a tricky thing
Karma is basically your entire inheritance since the beginning of the universe that's made you who you are right this moment. So basically, you are your karma, and your experiences (attracted via LOA), emotions, beliefs, etc. will reflect what lessons you probably need to learn. Much of this is unconscious.
However, there are easy ways to undo negative karma, and that is to raise your level of consciousness. The intention is the key; be willing to surrender all your presumptions, judgments, grudges, jealousies, selfishnesses, "being right", negativities, etc. and to be kind, forgiving, and compassionate to all sentient beings. That's a real quick way to undo tons of negative karma; as Dr. Hawkins once said, "one kind or forgiving thought can undo a lifetime of negative karma."
People make it more complicated than it really is; basically, it's just improving your life right now as it is
the only complication is that there are an infinite amount of factors and probably tons of lifetimes that you don't know you've lived before, all hidden in the unconscious. However, you don't need to know the details in order to undo it; most of the indicators are already present in your life.
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. Don't be attached to it (note that attachment can take the form of both desire and fear). Stuff like the Sedona method, EFT, etc. can also help. Just witness the thoughts passing through your mind, and like holding water in your hands, it will eventually pass if you don't "juice" the thought and pay attention to it. Being interested in it, even if you "don't want" it per se, will tend to bring up similar things via "like attracts like" or to keep replaying it.
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. LOA is a tool that can help speed up your personal/spiritual development. I'm not a huge fan of using it, as I know that I am ignorant of what is actually in my best interests, and so I'll just let the universe/God handle it and avoid directing it in one way or another
I think prayer and contemplation on what serves the highest good of all will help point you in the right direction, without the need for LOA.
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. Take responsibility, but guilt/remorse/fear is just self-indulgence. Nobody ever said you had to feel guilty about it