—Samskaras and Meditation, Part Three—Go to Part One
It is our pre-occupation with these ideas, thoughts, images and nuances that have us behaving so automatically as if on auto-pilot. These tendencies have a life of their own. The mind fills with thoughts and we act on these thoughts. These thoughts are ingrained. These images are powerfully set in our unconscious.
The tendency will continue even after our body passes this life. We will be caught up in it even on our death-beds. Is it so surprising that this congregation of ideas and impulses will manifest again? This is how we are reborn again and again. It is personal heritage. It is the perpetuation of ways and means. It is a hand-me-down to yourself approach to life.
Processing Karma in Meditation
I have heard that Karma is something we have to work off slowly. Is this really the case? Can we not work Karma off as readily as paying attention to what needs attention? Another idea is that we must work off Karma through events and circumstances. Are we really bound to this? Why not work it all off in our imagination? Why not work it all off in meditation?
I would like to suggest that we can work it all off in the privacy of our own homes—sitting and processing all the contents of our pre-occupation, one image at a time. I feel that I have been doing this in meditation for some time now. The more of this I deal with the lighter I feel. The more I can transform automatic impulse into awareness the greater freedom I experience. I am less triggered by images and thoughts.
We are Drawn to Freedom and Light
So much is going on. There is so much out there. It is overwhelming. How can we possible move beyond the many impressions, names, ideas, images? The thought of how complex and overwhelming this is enough to make me want to give up the whole idea and embrace the materialistic world with new-found gusto. Still, I am drawn to freedom.
The materialistic world makes us miserable. Let’s face it. We have caught the bug of enlightenment. We are compelled to embrace source. We are driven to discover our deepest self. We have caught a glimpse of our original nature. We have fleeting experiences of pure awareness. We want to bring more of the truth and its beauty into our daily lives. We long for wholeness. So what do we do now?
“Infinite patience brings immediate results” is a quote that comes to mind. We needn’t rush things. There is no place to go really—hence the paradox that lies in dropping motive and desire. Who will drop it? Who will be the one to let it go? Suffice it to say that we are better off for knowing what it is that we are drawn to. Ah well—something to think about—or not.
Occurring by degrees, as our unconscious compulsive behavior lessens, we are more able to appreciate our growing ability to live freely in the moment with fewer reactions and more response. The work we do on ourselves tending to our inner life becomes more noticeable to us and so worth the hours spent in meditation.
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