|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313
Zebra
|
Zebra
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313 |
The idea that behaviour follows us from lifetime to lifetime is terrifying, yet satisfyingly just in some ways. Yes, but don't forget that goes for good stuff too,which is why there is encouragement to transform what we perceive (in the moment, of the situation) to be bad, into something consructive, positive and good.... I suppose it is one faith/cultural answer to the eternal question of why bad things happen to entirely good people.. And why good things happen to bad people....and why bad things happen to bad people....and why good things happen to good people.... Nothing is ever one-sided.... nothing is ever disproportionate. I truly believe in my heart that a bad person who seems to always land on their feet, and seems to 'get away with everything' is setting themselves up for a mighty tumble, sooner or later...it all comes home to roost....They might very well be reaping the rewards for a past life well spent, but they sure as heck are in for a nasty shock for wasting this one...And in my not so inconsiderable experience, I have yet to meet a 'bad' person who is really, truly genuinely happy in their own life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 224
Shark
|
Shark
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 224 |
How about the concept that bad things happen in order to teach us to look for the opportunity hidden within or behind them? This seems to be a theme in my life--if the washer breaks down, instead of being able to do laundry as planned, I relieve my frustration by going for a walk and meet somebody interesting, or the repairman has a novel in progress he ends up paying me to evaluate and edit...and that's how it seems to work in my life. Anybody else experience this, too?
Barbara
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313
Zebra
|
Zebra
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313 |
Barbara...That's exactly what I've been saying....! Hey!!
You're Buddhist! You just didn't know it - !! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 447
Gecko
|
OP
Gecko
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 447 |
[/quote]And why good things happen to bad people....and why bad things happen to bad people....and why good things happen to good people....[/quote]
You know, we never ask why good things happen to us... only bad things! I've been studying the book of Job lately and it occurred to me that he never protested Heaven's actions when he was blessed by wealth, health and a great reputation. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Be kinder than you need to be. Everyone is dealing with something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313
Zebra
|
Zebra
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313 |
Very good point....
How many people have I seen and met who never spare a thought as to why their lives are trundling along happily.... and yet the moment the brown smelly stuff hits the rotating ventilator, it's suddenly a way of testing their faith, and it's all a cry of "Why me!?"
(Nobody on this forum, I'm sure.....!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Hi Froggie
Poor lady- what a lot to cope with. The working of karma does go some way to explaining why bad things happen to good people. We haven't always had 'good' lives & we may have committed some terrible cruelty in a past life. The karmic scales will always balance out- but sometimes not in the life when the acts were perpetrated. The good news is she is now 'clearing karma' on a grand scale in this lifetime & if she continues to be a pleasant caring individual despite her difficulties she will reap the benefits of her positive actions- whether in this life or the next.
It all seems very harsh, but you have to keep reminding yourself that you are the same soul, life after life, & this is part of the learning process. Take a read of Alexandra's long post on page 1 too- very wise comments. Who knows good & who knows bad? Yeah, I don't think I can believe in reincarnation for some of the reasons you stated. I'm more of a "the buck stops here" person too, I guess. Bad things happen to good people for all sorts of reasons, and I guess Rhonda's just gotten more than her fair share... I'm not trying to disrespect your beliefs, but I just don't think that I can believe that someone so nice in this life would be a completely different person in another... If the soul is preserved from life to life, then would the personality be somewhat preserved too? Maybe I just don't understand the whole concept that well...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,786
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,786 |
I've done past life regressions for years now & watched as the sweetest people recount experiences of lives as prostitutes, villains and all manner of other things. You'd be amazed!! They are often shocked by what they got up to, but it is healing because they can see how much they've moved on & where much present karma has come from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313
Zebra
|
Zebra
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,313 |
Maybe I just don't understand the whole concept that well... I have entered a new thread on the Buddhist forum on 'Re-Birth as opposed to Reincarnation'. The two are quite different. Go have a look-see and see if that helps any. Come back with questions, if you wish..... It may seem complicated, but it's really very simple. But it's up to you to take it or leave it as you feel.
Last edited by Alexandra; 12/01/06 08:03 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I have entered a new thread on the Buddhist forum on 'Re-Birth as opposed to Reincarnation'. The two are quite different. Go have a look-see and see if that helps any. I guess that makes some sense. I'm a biology major (soon-to-be biologist). The analogy that came to my mind is cloning. In cloning, you take the genetic information from one organism, put it into an egg that lacks a nucleus, and allow it to gestate. This new organism contains the exact genetic material of the original, so you would think that it would look/act exactly like the "parent." However, that is seldom the case. Different environmental stimuli cause changes in the physiology which make the clone an entirely different being. Even identical twins are a bit different. So going back to re-birth, I guess it is the same thing. It is the same spirit being subjected to a new set of environmental conditions, which elicit a different response... I still argue that a good-natured person would be good-natured in past-births. Though circumstances may have caused that person to turn to prostitution, they may have been good-hearted prostitutes. Doesn't that count for something in the karmic cycle??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,786
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,786 |
So going back to re-birth, I guess it is the same thing. It is the same spirit being subjected to a new set of environmental conditions, which elicit a different response... that's a really clear way of putting things in modern terms I still argue that a good-natured person would be good-natured in past-births. Though circumstances may have caused that person to turn to prostitution, they may have been good-hearted prostitutes. Doesn't that count for something in the karmic cycle?? Yes you are right, there are many shades of right & wrong doing and the 'bad lives' often come up because there is some important healing to do, we often don't see the dozens of 'good lives' as therapists because they aren't causing any problems for the client. People can see themes running through the lives & recognise themselves though their physical appearance, even their gender, may be different. They can pick themselves out in a crowd & know 'that's me'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|