This talk by Shaila Catherine was given as a part of the series "Enhancing Mindfulness Skills: A Seven-Week Series Dedicated to Cultivating Transformative Insight." Action influenced by intention is called kamma in the Pali language or karma in Sanskrit. We condition patterns, habits, and create pleasant or painful results through repeated intentional actions. The key to working with our patterns is not in the past, it is how we relate to present events. We are not condemned to dwell in any mental state. We have the potential to disentangle ourselves from suffering and cease creating causes for suffering. When we are mindful, we can notice the process that occurs between a stimulus and our response. Then, supported by calmness, wisdom, and clear intention, we stop reacting to life through the conditioned force of habit and may experience a truly spontaneous, free response to life.

The fact that we're given a human birth is exceedingly rare in itself. But to hear the Dharma, and be motivated as well as have the opportunity to practice is extraordinary good karma. Reflecting on this brings gratitude and provides a strong incentive to practice for the benefit of all beings.

Equanimity is the equipoise…the balance or equilibrium between the opposing forces in the mind of the desired and the undesired. It is that point of balance in the middle of the see-saw of life and is based on a clear presence of mind. Two insights that are the basis of equanimity are the understanding of karma and insight into the nature of not-self. Both of these understandings are explored in this talk in relationship to equanimity.

Der Vortrag beleuchtet, was sich hinter dem Begriff Karma verbirgt, welche Komponenten einer Handlung über die Art des Karma entscheiden und inwiefern wir aufgrund von Karma unser Leben gestalten können. Weiterhin beleuchtet der Vortrag inwieweit Karma auch missverstanden werden und zu einer passiven Opferhaltung beitragen kann.

This talk explores the Buddha's teaching on Karma and the way that this understanding can serve as a recipe for happiness.

Questions about Karma - All beings are owners of their kamma; all beings have kamma as their property

Exploring ways of working with thoughts and emotions on both the relative and more ultimate levels: karma and emptiness / content and process.