![]() However, according to Sri Sri, it is our last thoughts before death that are the most important in determining our next life. Our stored impressions, samskaras, and actions (or karmas) definitely have a large role to play in the conditions of our next birth, both with the physical body and the quality of life in general. Reincarnation means our soul ( jiva), or consciousness, comes again into a new body. Instinctively, we know that karmic investment gives us a pay-off at some point in the future, perhaps even in a future life. In fact, research shows that when we want something good to happen especially when we don’t have much control over the results, we’re more inclined to help others. Wanting to improve our karma is a natural tendency. through genes), and collective karma of cities and nations. In addition to individual karma, there is also family karma (e.g. An alfalfa seed sprouts in a day or two and can be eaten right away, whereas a mango tree takes a very long time to bear fruit. Different seeds sprout at different times. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “unfathomable are the ways of karma.” True story! Even though we may not fully understand karma, especially with respect to karmas of a past life, we have the sense that as we sow, so shall we reap. The chart below can help visualize the type of karma as it relates to the 3 modes of time, with X signifying when the karma originated and Y signifying when the karma will manifest. This type of karma is known as agami karma. Finally, our present actions are determining the karma that we will experience in the future and so the cycle of karma continues. Prarabdha means that which has already begun. This type of karma is known as prarabdha karma. ![]() Karma which is responsible for current tendencies is also due to past impressions, with the distinction that the impressions are manifesting right now. This type of karma is known as sanchita karma or the acquired/stored karma which we have brought with us from the past and will take effect in the future. In other words, latent karma can be understood as impressions or actions from the past that will create similar experiences or actions in the future. It could be of 3 different types: (1) karma can be latent and manifest at some point in the future as a result of past actions, it could be (2) present as a current tendency as a result of past actions, or as (3) something that happens in the future as a result of current actions. It’s important to understand that karma simply means action, whether from this life or a previous life. In many of his previous talks, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, has explained in detail about the 3 types of karma and what causes them. ![]() Understanding a little bit about karma can help illuminate this most unfathomable of topics. As little as we know about reincarnation, we intuitively recognize that reincarnation and karma are somehow intertwined. Those of us who have given it some thought may have wondered about its purpose or the personal lessons we are supposed to master in our present-day life. ![]() Reincarnation, or rebirth, is a phenomenon shrouded in mystery and speculation. Questions: What is the purpose of reincarnation? Is there a link between our past life and present life? Is there a way out from this circle of life? How do we liberate ourselves from having one rebirth after another, also known as samsara ? How many more lives will I have in the future? Is there something I can do in this life to further my spiritual evolution for a future life? How can I avoid taking another body? By Ketevan Chigogidze|Posted: July 29, 2020
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