Facing Past Karma Skillfully

The universal law of Karma is inexorable -- you reap whatever you sow. In other words, benevolent thoughts and actions eventually yield the fruits of a peaceful mind, purity of thought and wholesome actions. Negative mind-states give rise to hostile feelings and mental defilements like greed, hatred and lust. These will again breed more of the same, making it a vicious cycle. If we are not careful, negative karma keeps piling up in our karmic bank account; this will, sooner or later, yield bitter fruit whether we like it or not. Knowing this, a wise person performs actions skillfully, restraining negativity and encouraging positivism whenever he can, so that he always enjoys a bountiful harvest of good deeds.