Co-Founder Taliferro
Introduction
Karma, a concept often distilled into the idea that 'what goes around comes around,' is a principle many of us encounter later in life and usually away from parental guidance. It's a lesson in the currency of deeds, where our actions are the coins we spend, inadvertently shaping our future experiences. As I navigate the complexities of life's moral ledger, I can't help but wish my mother had imparted the wisdom of karma, embedding it into the fabric of my upbringing.
In my youth
The guidance I received was more pragmatic—study hard, respect your elders, follow the rules. These were the tangible commandments that were supposed to shepherd me to success and happiness. Yet, there was little talk of the intangible—those universal truths that lurk beneath the surface of everyday choices. Karma was one such truth, a silent undercurrent that, I would later realize, held the power to inform and transform the essence of being.
My Mom
My mother, a practical woman, taught me resilience, hard work, and the importance of honesty. But the conversations never ventured into the realm of spiritual or moral reciprocity. We never discussed the subtler shades of right and wrong, where the intentions behind our actions are just as crucial as the actions themselves. The karmic perspective was missing—a perspective that emphasizes the quality of our intentions and the energy we put out into the world.
The beauty of karma
The beauty of karma lies in its inherent call for self-reflection and responsibility. It teaches us that our every action ripples outwards, affecting others and eventually returning to us, laden with the outcomes we deserve. Imagine if this concept were introduced to us as children, seamlessly woven into lessons of sharing and kindness. We would learn to act with a conscious understanding that our deeds, good or bad, eventually find their way back to us.
Karma is the cosmic ledger that never falters, never forgets. It is the universe's method of maintaining balance, often inscrutable but always in motion. Had my mother taught me about this, I would have perceived the world differently. Instead of viewing success as a linear path paved with clear-cut achievements, I might have seen it as a complex web of causes and effects, where even the smallest gesture holds weight.
As adults, we're often left to discover the concept of karma in the midst of turmoil or serendipity, recognizing its patterns in the rearview mirror of life's winding road. How profound would it have been to understand this in the innocence of childhood, to appreciate the gentleness or the harshness of the world as part of a larger, self-regulating system of cosmic justice?
In our current society, where the pursuit of individual success often overshadows collective well-being, the teachings of karma could serve as a counterbalance. It's a concept that encourages us to think beyond ourselves, to consider the holistic impact of our actions. It fosters a sense of interconnectedness and community, urging us to act not just for personal gain but for the greater good, aware that our individual well-being is intrinsically tied to the well-being of others.
Despite my initial lack of karmic instruction, I find myself drawn to its principles now more than ever. The notion that we are all part of an intricate dance of cause and effect brings a sense of order and justice to an often chaotic world. It's a lesson I'm learning day by day, and one that I wish had been a cornerstone of my formative years.
Conclusion
In lieu of this, it's become my mission to pass on the wisdom of karma to the next generation. By embedding the karmic philosophy into my own teachings and interactions, I hope to nurture a future that recognizes the invisible threads that bind us, appreciating the power of our actions and the enduring truth that, indeed, what goes around comes around.
Tyrone Showers