Does Anyone Else Think They Must Have Been Hitler (This One's For Fin)

[cragger65]

Interesting thread. I can relate to this line of reasoning, big time. Though it is easy for me to comb through my life and come up with dozens of, "that's what I did wrong" type "revelations", I don't think that's why we suffer.

I remember reading something about Karma, saying it should never be interpreted in terms of "right & wrong" or punishment. That is a Christian concept. It is merely what needs to happen, in order for us to learn what we need to learn in order to evolve. In that sense, you can think of what we are all doing now as being relevant to "earning" or rather learning, a better form of existence next time round.

HOWEVER, I wasn't raised Buddhist and I still tend to view it in terms of payback for past deed, lives, whatever. And even amongst Buddhists I would imagine this is a very prevelant interpretation.

Sorry, working a different part of my brain, had to get that out.

Luthien, I copied and pasted your list of points to remember so I could refer back to it. I agree, a "Points to Remember" list is needed, with links to all relevant threads as well as some new ones, like your own.

 

[Luthien]

Expanding on Cragger's comments

I've done a great amount if studying the Buddhist and Hindu religions. I know that Karma isn't meant to be viewed in terms of punishment...but that is largely how it is interpreted. We're only human, our minds can only understand so much. I think the concepts that those religions are based on are very hard to wrap your mind around...that is why it is a lifeling "practice" encompassing more than one life to achieve "moksha" or "nirvana" and people go to such lengths to achieve this level of understanding...
Roughly translated, Karma means consequence..a cause and effect type situation. Consequences are not punishment...just the natural way that our actions play out.

However, this concept does led itself to the conclusions I came to. If life is cause and effect, and you know you've done nothing to cause what has happened in this life, it must stand to reason that you did it in a past life...

What happened to me was horrible...and I needed an explanation for it. Because there was none, I fell to this conclusion that I must have done something horrible to deserve it, but since I knew I hadn't done anything in this life I must have in a past one...

That's the trouble I have with all religions...they just mess with my head. I think because I was raised by radical Jehovah's Witnesses, that I still have some of that "punishment" stuff in my head, and whenever I am very weak I fall back on it as an explanation...I was totally brainwashed by religion (they like to start you young) and to this day have not fully escaped it's clutches. I pisses me off that as an intelligent adult, I can still be so affected by the messages that were beaten into me as a child...but that's another story.

A-RON,
I think you need to read my message a little more, and try to be gentle with yourself, beating yourself or placing blame on yourself will just not help...heep reading my list until it becomes real for you.

Cragger,
I'm glad you were able to take something from this post...it is one I really beat myself up about for awhile. it went into a lot of my own insecurities and raw emotions...something I fear sharing. This thread could make me look like a complete nutcase...I guess if just one person took away a positive, it was worth the stress it caused me to put out there.

Thanks everyone for all your comments.

 

[beatle_bailey]

Luthien
I have only a bit of an idea of the different types of religions of the world that you have .
I do believe in Carma , or more { what goes around -comes around } ever since I quit drinking I have tried to give more than I receive , but I can never do it . I have received so much from others that just want to help and guide me , it is overwhelming at times .
For instance people hear have given me more compliments or praise than I think I should ever deserve . I thank you all very much .

If I had a past live , I dreamed I was a warrior like Conan the barbarian . I had chivalry , honor and a lust for life . But was also ruthless in my delivery of Justis .

the man that judges me today is looking at me in the glass . I am OK with what I see most of the time , not that I couldn't do more .
I envied people that do such great things , and at the same time I see them fall from grace for great mistakes they make just because they can be corrupted by there power over the ones they help .
I try to stay right sighed , I am humbled every day by thing I could never see before . I was brought to tears by a movie today and the dedication this young girl showed through many obstacle's , and yet she made it . now I know it was just a movie , But I see these things in real life every day . all of these things here and out there have been having a great affect on me . I am glad my eyes are finally able to see through all the turmoil still passing through my brain .
so questions and answers are still there . I just will not stop seeking what I need .

my maker will be the final judge . not I . what ever you believe in youself .

Beatle

 

[LovinHim]

All the time... when things get hard I always find myself weeping asking myself why these things keep happening and what I did to deserve them. I realize I've done nothing and I tell myself that everything happens for a reason. Everything that happened was so that I would become a strong person. It may not be true, but if not, don't tell me b/c that's the major thing that helps me through it all. Cause and Effect... had alot of those things happened, I would have never had the strength to be who I am today & to overcome the other obstacles in my path.