A friend of mine has been having major issues with her daughter. Any of us who are parents can sympathize. This young woman (the daughter, not my friend who, unfortunately, is as middle aged as I am!) has set her sights on marrying a man who really sounds like a train wreck. In spite of my friend’s many rants, raves and tears, this marriage looks like it is going to happen. My friend, who is a Catholic, has finally thrown her hands up in defeat. She told me today that she lit a candle in her altar and basically told God that the ball was in His court now.
While consoling my friend, I couldn’t help but think back to when I learned about about the different kinds of karma. Karma, in this context, refers to the fruits of our actions; in our past, in our future, and of course, in our present.
Many Hindus believe that there are three kinds of karma.
First, there are those that are already coming to fruition. These karmas are in motion in our lives. No matter what we do, these actions, good or bad, are coming home to roost.
Second, there are the karmas that are stored up from the past. They are not active yet and some of them can be avoided via prayer, meditation and/or good works.
And finally, there are those karmas that are still waiting to happen. They will occur as a result of our current actions and deeds. These are probably the easiest to change since they depend on the way we behave from here on out.
But what about the first two kinds of karma? How do we tell them apart?
The truth is that we never know which of the two we are dealing with at any moment. Are they the karmas that are going to come to fruition no matter what we do? Or, are they karmas that we can prevent with our present actions? That is the million dollar question.
This reminds me of a popular western prayer which is often referred to as the Serenity Prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” (Reinhold Niebuhr)
Unfortunately however, the wisdom to be able to know which of our past karmas are already playing out, and which are still waiting to become active, is a wisdom that very few of us have mastered.
Instead, we need to pray for the strength to treat all our karmas as if we can change them. Every bad situation has to be attacked with our full force. It’s only when there is absolutely no doubt that the karma is in motion that we must have the wisdom to stop fighting.
So what about my friend? Personally, I think she is still fighting the good fight. After all, her daughter isn’t married yet. So instinctively she knows that this karma has not come to fruition yet. And, knowing her, she has the wisdom to know the difference.
onehindu 
This is a wonderful entry. Now, call me and explain why this man is a train wreck. 😉
Glad you approved 🙂
Will call this weekend!
I am Catholic (though not a “good one”) and what came to my mind was the convergence of free will vs. karma. I believe in both (why I’m not a good Catholic). And while I don’t know the particulars as to why this young man is a train wreck – I will say this – in 2005 I was an Indian mother’s train wreck of a future daughter in law. American, white, Catholic (non-Hindu) etc. Love, when tempered with a hefty dose of sensibility, flexibility and humility can do things that seem impossible.
You are, of course, absolutely right. ‘Train wreck’ can be a relative term! As for this young man, he comes from the same faith and background as my friend’s daughter. I think she is concerned about certain bad habits and life choices he has made and is worried that they may drag her daughter down too.
As for your situation with your mother in law, I can only imagine what an uphill battle it must have been- kudos to you for sticking it out and making it work!
Well tell your friend that I will have her, her daughter and this young man in my prayer this week during my Adoration hour.
Thank you- I will be sure to tell her 🙂
When prayer and efforts fail … Surrender to the will of God knowing full well that you have done your best but as Jesus said the spirit wills but the flesh is weak!
So very true!
One thing for your friend to consider is this: sometimes people have a hard time admitting they’re wrong. Her daughter might very well be having second thoughts about this man. But sometimes a person just doesn’t want to hear everyone say, “I told you so” and so they cling on harder to a mistake so they don’t have to hear everyone chime in with how they knew all along it was a mistake! Sometimes just letting go and accepting someone’s decision can let them feel safe enough to talk through their own concerns and maybe even come to the conclusion on their own (without feeling pressured).
That’s so very true…
I agree with Mistress of the Hearth, sometimes its best to just let go in order for them to properly and liberally ascertain their discernment
Yes- a difficult but necessary skill that all of us parents need to learn!
Yes she is trying that is good but and if this marriage with the person you mentioned is in her daughter’s luck then nobody can change this. I believe prayers and had work can change luck but sometimes things has to happen in the way they have written.
Yes that is true- sometimes we simply have to let go
and things will come on track one day .. InshaAllah