This comment was sent in by Memo, one of our Pelican Bay Mahayana students. He is asking for the class’s opinion on karmic connections. Referring to page 56 of Everything is Mind, Memo writes, “It says of the great Lord of yogis, Milarepa, that his worst enemies were his uncle and his aunt. The uncle passed away early, but his aunt also became a student in the end.”
My question is whether it is possible for two individuals who were enemies to find each other again here in this realm of desire of human beings. It would seem that it would be almost impossible for this to occur, but can it happen or not? Like some people in the dharma meet again, as they say through a ‘karmic connection”, can there also be ‘enemies’ who have a “karmic connection”? For example, how often do people say things like, “Oh, this person rubs me the wrong way, I don’t have to talk to him/her.” In my opinion, this feeling suggests a karmic connection — that those people knew each other in a past life and have come into contact again.
March 9, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I think people who cause us extreme emotions have serious unfinished Karmic connections with us. We should try to deal with them or they will keep coming back, maybe not in this life but they will be back to bug us. We are also lucky to have Karmic connections with people who support us.I like to think that we have traveled together before and they may have been our enemy.
We are always told that everyone may have been our mother but everyone may have been our worst enemy and our best friend.
March 10, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I like to think of that sort of connection as a “teacher” experience. If someone rubs me the wrong way- they are offering illumination on something that needs attention in my life or my own existence. It is a challenge, just as joyous connections can have their own challenges. I do feel that there is a sense of “karmic connection”- but the idea of a difficult connection being a teacher right now in this moment is much more workable for me. I can easily trip out on weaving stories of “karmic connections!”
March 11, 2008 at 1:46 am
i think you can meet your enemy again in the human realm. there is no difference between friends and enemies…they are in constant flux…so yes.. you meet friends and enemies in your next life… greg
March 22, 2008 at 1:13 pm
just info for everyone who reads this wonderful blog karmapavisit.org
March 22, 2008 at 5:09 pm
also.. please write pres bush and let him know your feelings about tibet: comments@whitehouse.gov
March 22, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Thanks, Greg