So much to learn… 2

I admit that looking back across the past 2-3 years since I first began to read on Buddhist theory, philosophy, and practice, I have progressed in my life practice. It is just that when I am in 'read-contemplate-know', I accomplish so much more ground covering than I do with actually living it out.

For example, karma. When I first began to talk to a friend and read books concerning Buddhism, the subject of karma cropped up. Originally, I had no awareness of karma whatsoever. It was simply a new age word with little personal acceptance or meaning.

As I read about the subject, it automatically fell into place. I assume I had already learned in a former life and was just refreshing my memory. I was able to comprehend some of the basic workings of karma, accept that certain situations arose due to it, and even follow it in a few areas of my life, where 'quick karma' occurred and I experienced the result almost immediately.

Despite this awareness and understanding, once learning a different subject had lost my focus from karma, I began to lose hold of it. Wrapped in citta levels, multi-lifes, and the four noble truths, karma slipped away from me and I was unable to continue to witness it within my life, though still retaining a firm belief.