Living Karma

Ouyi Zhixu (1599–1655) was an eminent Chinese Buddhist monk who, contrary to his contemporaries, believed karma could be changed. Through vows, divination, repentance rituals, and ascetic acts such as burning and blood writing, he sought to alter what others understood as inevitable and inescapable. Drawing attention to Ouyi's unique reshaping of religious practice, Living Karma reasserts the significance of an overlooked individual in the modern development of Chinese Buddhism. While Buddhist studies scholarship tends to privilege textual analysis, Living Karma promotes a balanced study of ritual practice and writing, treating Ouyi's texts as ritual objects and his reading and writing as religious acts. Each chapter addresses a specific religious practice—writing, divination, repentance, vows, and bodily rituals—offering first a diachronic overview of each practice within the history of Chinese Buddhism and then a synchronic analysis of each phenomenon through close readings of Ouyi's work. This book sheds much-needed light on a little-known figure and his representation of karma, which proved to be a seminal innovation in the religious thought of late imperial China.

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER “Full of valuable insights to guide you.”—WILL SMITH “Thoughtful and life-affirming . . . a must-read.”—TONY ROBBINS “This book will put you back in charge of your own life.”—TOM BRADY A new perspective on the overused and misunderstood concept of “karma” that offers the key to happiness and enlightenment, from the world-renowned spiritual master Sadhguru. What is karma? Most people understand karma as a balance sheet of good and bad deeds, virtues and sins. The mechanism that decrees that we cannot evade the consequences of our own actions. In reality, karma has nothing to do with reward and punishment. Karma simply means action: your action, your responsibility. It isn’t some external system of crime and punishment, but an internal cycle generated by you. Accumulation of karma is determined only by your intention and the way you respond to what is happening to you. Over time, it’s possible to become ensnared by your own unconscious patterns of behavior. In Karma, Sadhguru seeks to put you back in the driver’s seat, turning you from a terror-struck passenger to a confident driver navigating the course of your own destiny. By living consciously and fully inhabiting each moment, you can free yourself from the cycle. Karma is an exploration and a manual, restoring our understanding of karma to its original potential for freedom and empowerment instead of a source of entanglement. Through Sadhguru’s teachings, you will learn how to live intelligently and joyfully in a challenging world.

Ouyi Zhixu (1599Ð1655) was an eminent Chinese Buddhist monk who, contrary to his contemporaries, believed karma could be changed. Through vows, divination, repentance rituals, and ascetic acts such as burning and blood writing, he sought to alter what others understood as inevitable and inescapable. Drawing attention to OuyiÕs unique reshaping of religious practice, Living Karma reasserts the significance of an overlooked individual in the modern development of Chinese Buddhism. While Buddhist studies scholarship tends to privilege textual analysis, Living Karma promotes a balanced study of ritual practice and writing, treating OuyiÕs texts as ritual objects and his reading and writing as religious acts. Each chapter addresses a specific religious practiceÑwriting, divination, repentance, vows, and bodily ritualsÑoffering first a diachronic overview of each practice within the history of Chinese Buddhism and then a synchronic analysis of each phenomenon through close readings of OuyiÕs work. The book sheds much-needed light on this little-known figure and his representation of karma, which proved to be a seminal innovation in the religious thought of late imperial China.

Since the beginning of human civilization, there has been a search to make sense of life and discover deeper truths about our existence. A question that has captivated spiritual seekers, philosophers, and ordinary people trying to understand life's ups and downs Is: What invisible forces or universal laws might influence the unfolding of events, the patterns In our lives, the good fortune we receive or harsh knocks that come our way? Over millennia, the concept of karma has emerged in Indian, Buddhist and East Asian schools of philosophy as a law of moral causation that can help provide answers. The word karma has Its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Pali languages. It translates as "action" or "deed", but more broadly signifies the entire cycle of causation that governs existence. Simply put, karma links intentional actions to future results. It Is a natural law of cause and effect, the repercussions of thoughts, words and actions that sent out ripples into the Interconnected cosmic fabric of creation. Karma draws connections between actions in the past, present realities, and possibilities for the future. So this vast concept provides a framework for making sense of life's apparent disparities and inequalities. Why do some people face more misfortune than fortune? What leads to differences In talents, character, circumstances people are born into, even the length of their lives?

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in New Delhi and for three days Sikh men are targeted and killed in retribution for the prime minister’s death. It is into this chaos that fifteen year- old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India’s political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya’s awakening to the world. Karma is the story of how she straddles two cultures, endures personal loss, and ultimately learns forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

Every act is part of the karmic process; bound to have its effect. Karma is considered the all-pervading, universal law of existence. It perhaps finds its greatest relevance in the sentient minds of humans. The karma doctrine cannot be viewed from a religious standpoint; it is relevant to all, regardless of sect, community or beliefs. No one can claim to live life without performing an action – from simple life sustaining activities to highly complex scientific or spiritual enquiry. What we do dictates what we get in this life...and the next…and the next…till we are freed of our karmic burden. Genetic and transmigrating influences are, even today, subjects of research and discussion. The quantum and quality a living being brings from previous karma, if any, is a matter of intense debate, as is the effect that actions may imprint on our conscience. Deliberation on contentious issues is basic to human nature and has been part of human discourse from the dawn of civilisation. The attempt to define karma has consumed immense mental resource over the millennia, along with the search to understand the essential meaning of life. In the vast literature which exists on the subject, pundits from almost every society and religious group in the world, have attempted to explain the significance and validity of karma, or its lack. Though karma is basic to life, its purport remains veiled; deeply relevant yet poorly understood. Self awareness is a feeling of being in the universe; a substance dot in a life-process on the platter of existence, in the paradigm of time and space

What does redemption look like? In My Life with Karma, author Travis Sackett chronicles his life experiences from childhood to police recruit to addict and finally to his eventual recovery. Once labeled a certain way, it becomes nearly impossible to escape these designations. Sackett shows how the friendship offered from a rescue dog helps to provide a path to redemption. The path to recovery can take many twists and turns as you'll see as Sackett recounts his harrowing true-life events. In this memoir, Sackett portrays the events in his life that left him addicted, suffering from a traumatic brain injury, and jaded by a system that chews people up and spits them out. Despite these difficulties, Travis tells the tale of how the unconditional love of a rescue dog can be a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change. My Life with Karma explores many deep philosophical topics including: The idea of "forever labels" and how they affect the most vulnerable. Ease of access to opioids in the US. The power of empathy in changing perceptions. How being responsible for someone, or something, other than yourself can highlight what is most important in life. The path to recovery is a long and winding road that is much easier to undertake with a faithful companion at your side!