Simple question. But I suspect it has been asked numerous times before, so it has to be non-simple .
I now seem to know from experience that all my actions, including writing this message, are not -strictly speaking- voluntary. Thoughts come into the mind and leave constantly. It seems to be a matter when which thoughts to responds to, which creates bad or good Karma, whether it is mind Karma or body Karma.
Now, when I meditate, or rather when I choose to meditate, it is still a thought or an impulse that comes from nowhere and I react to it by starting to meditate.
The problem here seems to be that, if the epitome of Buddhaâs teaching is to become free of the Karma, and that includes the Mind Karma of course, then even by meditating it is still considered a Karma. It is still a reaction to an impulse that comes from nowhere.
Isnât a paradox in that sense? Because , you know, whatever I do, whether it is according to the path or otherwise, is still a reaction, and the goal seems to be free of these chain of reactions.
Well of course, I canât stop reacting, it is impossible. So the Karma will always be in full effect, like it has always been, and exactly because of a previous cause which I - seemingly involuntarily- have reacted to, I meditate and ponder about the Buddhaâs teachings (plus other teachings) now.
Can you see the missing link in the chain? Exactly because of this missing link, I have to explore other similar teachings from other religions and sects, with associatons to Buddhism.