Your karma is the noise of your existence in the universe.
We have all heard the question, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?”. Of course it makes a sound, but unless it is heard, even by a little bird, it makes no noise. For our purposes, a sound that is perceived by another living being is a noise, and usually results in a reaction. This reaction could set off a ripple effect that never ends. Likewise, every thought, word and action throughout our existence has a ripple effect that never ends and contributes, “brick by brick”, to building our karma. I believe that your karma is the net contribution made to the universe by your existence, from womb to the afterlife. (Wouldn’t you agree that one of the greatest pleasures in life comes from the kick of a fetus through a pregnant belly?). Being human, there will be times when you’re definitely not helping to improve the universe, but please make it your life’s mission to leave this world a better place than it was without you. In fact, make it your daily mission. Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected.
How and why is your karma eternal? First of all, the ripple effect of your life can go on forever. Second, you may leave a lasting physical legacy that can be anything from a classic book to a family tree. Third, and most intriguing, is the possibility of continuing your contribution and even learning more in a different form after physical death.
Everyone has your own soul, consisting of all of your characteristics, talents, dreams, ambitions, memories, emotions, sense of humor, creativity, passion, compassion, integrity, intellect and all of your thoughts and feelings, some of which are from nature and some of which are from nurture. It consists of all of the non-physical traits that make you unique. Some traits may be obstacles, but I believe that everyone has traits that are gifts to be shared and utilized for the good of others. While on earth, your soul uses its physical body to express itself and accomplish things. Your soul could be physically manifested by a smile, hug or kiss, athletic prowess, a song, dance, or instrumental performance, a beautiful painting, a charitable act, a surgical operation, psychological counseling or physical therapy to improve someone‘s life, or the construction of a pyramid or Eiffel tower. These are just some of the things that improve our world daily. However, I believe that once we are separated from our physical bodies, we will have other conduits for the mental, emotional and karmic powers of our souls. Your self is the combination of your soul plus its conduit, the physical body on earth and some kind of spirit-like existence in the afterlife.
If you ask most people how they envision their existence as spirit and soul in the afterlife, they have a picture of themselves without a physical body, but a vague and wispy semblance of their former selves. After all, physical appearance, even with all of the changes from birth to death, becomes an integral part of our personality and what makes us unique. Hopefully, our new self would be void of pain and disability, and it might even include a spirit version of a “six-pack”, perfect teeth, skin and hair, and a healed and healthy mental and emotional self “to boot”. Who knows?
So, how do we apply logic and reason to concepts as nebulous as soul, spirit and karma? One answer is to apply logic, as we have done, to other concepts and then to build on those conclusions, call it “building block logic”. For instance, we have concluded that our collective mission is to continually work towards improving our world and our lives, and to strive towards making a Heaven on Earth. We have also concluded that God the creator does not play an active role in our earthly lives, otherwise bad things would not keep happening to children and good people. However, there is enough evidence of at least minor miracles to conclude that “someone up there” is trying to help us. Add that to anecdotal “proof” of communication with the spirits of the deceased, and we conclude that perhaps our mission does not end with physical death, but continues into an afterlife.
Additionally, there is the “logic of advantageous choice”. That logic says that if you are faced with making a decision or drawing a conclusion that can not be based on hard facts and logic, then make the choice which will be most beneficial to all concerned. The problem with this “logic” is that it can be twisted many different ways depending on your assumptions. I suspect that a lot of people stay with their traditional religions despite their misgivings, “just in case”. If it turns out that we cease to exist in any form after physical death, then they only wasted some time and energy , but if the gates of Heaven only open for the faithful, then they’re buying some insurance by going to church, right? Not! I believe that if God is going to judge or evaluate us, it will be based on our words, deeds, values, integrity, thoughtfulness, charity and other contributions to the universe, not an attendance record. However, the logic of advantageous choice would also say that our lives on earth would be better served by having some hope and belief that we are all a part of a master plan for the universe. If that belief inspires us to give back and give more during our lives, then that is an advantageous choice. If you can live your best life without believing in a grand plan, then don’t worry. You won’t need an insurance policy; God is too smart for that.
Another quandary arising from an afterlife without a physical body is, as we mentioned in the chapter about Heaven, the lack of our 5 senses and the pleasures of life that we are accustomed to. Not only would eternity be a dismal prospect without our memories and personalities, but wouldn’t it be a terrible curse without physical pleasures? Again, I believe that other conduits will exist in the afterlife to experience sensual pleasures. Call it the logic of advantageous choice!