Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Center Staff
  • Board of Trustees
  • Services
    • Sunday Services & Meditation
    • Wednesday’s Wisdom
    • Congregational Songs
    • Archived videos on our Youtube Channel
  • Gallery
  • Media
  • Contact Us
Top Menu

Center for Spiritual Living
Center for Spiritual Living
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, know that you are welcome here.
  • Programs
    • Animal Kinship Ministry
    • Circle of Love
    • Coming Home – Awakening To Spirit
    • Community Outreach Programs
    • Jewel Tones Choir
    • New Thought Bookstore
    • Shifting Sands
    • Youth and Family
  • Science of Mind Classes
    • Course Descriptions
    • Current & Upcoming Classes
  • Events & Calendar
  • Prayer Ministry
    • Affirmative Prayer: Career and Creativity
    • Affirmative Prayer: Health
    • Affirmative Prayer: Love and Relationships
    • Affirmative Prayer: Spirituality and Consciousness
    • Affirmative Prayer: Wealth
  • Ministers
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Programs
    • Animal Kinship Ministry
    • Circle of Love
    • Coming Home – Awakening To Spirit
    • Community Outreach Programs
    • Jewel Tones Choir
    • New Thought Bookstore
    • Shifting Sands
    • Youth and Family
  • Science of Mind Classes
    • Course Descriptions
    • Current & Upcoming Classes
  • Events & Calendar
  • Prayer Ministry
    • Affirmative Prayer: Career and Creativity
    • Affirmative Prayer: Health
    • Affirmative Prayer: Love and Relationships
    • Affirmative Prayer: Spirituality and Consciousness
    • Affirmative Prayer: Wealth
  • Ministers
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Blog

Change Your Karma

karma purse
Everyone is in their true place. 

The above title only makes sense when the term Karma is misunderstood to mean Fate. Something from which you cannot escape. For a long time I have observed that many people use certain terms such as the term Karma without a full understanding of what the word actually means. 

According to the late Alan Watts, when Hindus and Buddhists use the word Karma they are using it as meaning action, from the Sanskrit root meaning to do. Watts offers a meaning of Karma as being that “this arises” “that becomes.” He notes that due to certain seldom unexamined assumptions prevalent in “Western Thought.” Western interpretations take it as meaning a law of Cause and Effect or Cosmic retribution.

Watts notes that in a fuller explanation in Buddhist philosophy there is a concept of the interdependent origination of all the forms and phases of life. Thus, what you do and what is happening to you and to every other person or thing is inseparable.

In one form of viewing Karma it is seen as a chain, often equated to bondage. Simplistic interpretations see it as “Good” Karma and “Bad” which then equates to the idea that if you do good things then good things happen to you and if you do bad things then bad things happen to you.

Watts adds .”Now, you may say, ‘I did not mean to do that.’ One school of thought will explain events by saying, ‘You did something in a former life, or at a former time, that is now having this consequence.’ However, that is a very superficial understanding of karma. You do not need to believe in reincarnation to understand karma … 

With one aspect you are doing what you call the environment and with the other aspect you are doing what you call the organism, this living body. Since you cannot possibly conceive of the existence of a living body with no environment, there is the clue that the two are basically one. As with the two poles of a magnet, north is quite different from south, and yet they are both part of one magnet. 
In precisely the same way, you are both what you do and what happens to you. You have a little game in which you play that you are not responsible for what happens to you, you are only responsible for what you do. (emphasis mine) … Basically it comes down to the fact that you are responsible for everything … 
The place in life where you are is where you have put yourself. Just as on the surface of the sphere every point may be regarded as the center of the surface, so every place may be regarded as the true place. 
Everyone is in their true place. 
In whatever language you say it, everybody is a manifestation of the divine, playing this game … Your not knowing it, if you do not know it, is part of the game … ” ~Alan Watts…


This Wednesdays evening at 7:00 pm we will look at practical ways to make your life work better for you.

Rev. Bruce Fredenburg


Share this post

Author: Lisa McClure

Recent Blog Posts
  • The FAD3 Fundraiser Concert

    The FAD3 Fundraiser ConcertFriday, January 13, 2023, 7 p.m, Our first event of the NEW YEAR is a Fundraiser Concert given by the FAD3, Dave Friedman, Karyn Allen, and Rick Dale Friday evening, January 13, 2023. This fun evening includes classic Beatles songs performed by the FAD3, live and silent auctions, and carousing with friends…

    January 8, 2023
  • Book Study – The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection

    Beginning Wednesday January 18th, Mary Brogdon will lead a book study based on Michael A. Singer’s bestselling book, The Surrender Experiment. Singer tells the story of what happened when, after a deep spiritual awakening, he decided to give up his personal fears and desires and simply let life unfold before him. From Goodreads: “Spirituality is…

    January 8, 2023
  • Class: Reignite Your Life

    Reignite Your Life: Spiritual Principles & Practicesthat will move you in the direction of your intentions with Rev. Alice Reid CHANGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE YOUR HEART, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Are you ready to discover your emerging direction and purpose and how to make it happen? Join us for 5 weeks of self-discovery and revelation. Classes…

    January 8, 2023
  • Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service

    Return of the Light Christmas Eve marks the return of the light. Winter has arrived, the longest night has passed, and finally light begins to return. Life and wisdom are illuminated, newness abounds. Join as we welcome the Return of the Light, Saturday December 24th. Caroling: 4:45 p.m.Service: 5:00 p.m.

    December 6, 2022
  • Annual Holiday Boutique & Brunch, December 4

    Our annual Holiday Boutique and Brunch is set for December 4, 2022, after the service. Our Center’s artists, artisans, and authors will be offering their work for sale at our annual boutique. We have a number of professional photographers, graphic artists, fiber artists, and authors in our community. Here is your chance to do a…

    November 16, 2022
  • Thanksgiving Eve Taizé Wednesday November 23

    Remembering What’s Important Gather with your spiritual family Wednesday November 23 for a special Taizé service. We will hear readings on the importance of giving thanks. We’ll quietly contemplate gratitude in our own lives. And we will chant as one. Date: November 23, 2022Time: 7 – 8 p.m.Where: In person only, at the Center.Notes: No…

    November 16, 2022
Categories
  • Blog
  • Classes
  • Events
Tags
Affirmation Affirmative Prayer Audio blog center for spiritual living capistrano valley creativity Darin McClure Darin McClure Dr. Heather Clark Dr. Heather Clark Ernest Holmes Forgiveness gratitude gratitude Jason Silva Joyous Living Journal Joyous Living Journal Juli Isola Juli Isola Lisa McClure Lisa McClure Love Love Meditation meditation Music Oneness Parenting Quotes Rev. Dr. Heather Clark Rev. Dr. Heather Clark Rev. Karyn Allen Rev. Pattie Mercado Rev. Pattie Mercado Science of Mind September Warren September Warren spiritual growth Sunday Service Sunday Service Vidette Vanderweide Vidette Vanderweide Wednesday Wisdom Wednesday Wisdom Youtube
Contact Us
Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley
1201 Puerta Del Sol
Suite 100 San Clemente, California 92673

Phone: 949-240-6463

Other contact options

Volunteers: Please check your assignment schedules here.

Latest Tweets
  • https://t.co/p2YlbiLr6r https://t.co/ntd6y49CHo https://t.co/o1SPxRSiuY https://t.co/tCBkUwmXpr6 days ago
  • https://t.co/V9ThIgDYHn #meditation #SanClemente #CenterforSpiritualLiving #CapistranoValley https://t.co/uQaXkilvvf10 days ago
  • https://t.co/ntd6y49CHo https://t.co/p2YlbiLr6r https://t.co/l0p2pY2KW013 days ago
  • Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. https://t.co/STFYDxtZrD19 days ago
  • https://t.co/iHSlx2NAVM https://t.co/A1ACZfLjuQ https://t.co/2MV6ewfWC020 days ago
  • Tonight, at the Center, 7 p.m.! 1201 Puerta del Sol, First Floor, San Clemente, CA https://t.co/Th77lGtmAr21 days ago
Latest Facebook Update

Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley

Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley

Season for Nonviolence Day 6: February 4The thought for today is SIMPLICITY. To simplify is to invite peacefulness into your life. When we have lots of 'stuff' in our lives, it is hard to be peaceful. Close your eyes and ask "How can I simplify my life, what can I let go of?""Live simply, so others can simply live." - Traditional Quaker guidanceIf we dare let go of our possessions and the will to control and dominate, we will cultivate a deeper spirit of peace within us because we can accept the present moment as a gift. By simplifying our lives, dropping less important activities and 'things', we allow more time for what matters most.Today: I will write down three ways I can simplify my life and put at least one of them into practice today. I will give away something I have not used in the past year.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Center for Spiritual Living
© Copyright Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley