Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

A new concept is introduced: ahimsa, or not causing harm. A commitment of all people to avoid doing harm to themselves and to others would result in a calmer, safer, and less violent world. This commitment can be undertaken at any moment in life. One may need to draw on it in their own self-talk if they find themself talking behind other people’s backs or if they are causing other people pain or grief. Harming or hurting comes from a root of fear; when fear doesn’t cloud one’s view, one can act with gentleness and kindness.

Karma acknowledges that all things have antecedents. A person’s karma refers to their impact on the world around them. Negative impulses and behaviors will have negative consequences. We are locked into behavior patterns by tendencies of thought, speech, and action. These tendencies result in further similar tendencies. Mindfulness allows one to make actionable changes to their karma, as they can watch their impulses and consider whether they feel authentic to them.

Without mindfulness, we are propelled forward thoughtlessly and continue to enact old patterns.