Question: “Why do I live a privileged life while others don’t? For example, I come from a well off family, I have enough money, food and water but others don’t. Why am I “lucky”? I’ve also been feeling scared about being reborn into a horrible life, like in the Mid East where terrorism and wars are abundant. Do you have any thoughts on how to handle these questions and thoughts?”
You must have some great karma on your side! Our present lives is determined by our past lives’ karma and deeds, and our future lives are determined by our present life. If you live a privileged life, then your past life (or lives) must have created the necessary causes (good karma) for your present effect (good outcome). Of course, just because some people have a “good” life, doesn’t mean they will/are “good” people. You might have a very privileged life, but that’s just because circumstances between your last life and this life were good enough for the effects to ripen into a good life.
If we watch the news and pay attention to social media, there are a LOT of wealthy people who don’t deserve what they have. Well, what they do or don’t have isn’t our or their choice. The circumstances of their past causes were good enough to be born with them. But depending on their present life’s deeds or misdeeds, their next life might not be so lucky. On the other hand, there are many, many wealthy people who do a lot of good and give a lot to charity. Their next life will be twice as good as this one because of their good deeds.
Karma is not fate, so it’s not a fixed thing. It can be changed. So if you’re a good person, do more good things. If you’re not such a good person, try to do good things to change and replace any bad karma.
Karma is like going to college. If you study and work hard in high school, then you have a really good chance of getting into a really good college. But if you don’t study and work hard and just lazy around, then your chances of getting into a good college are minimal. In most cases, a college degree from a fancy school looks really good on a resume. It shows you’re capable of working hard, are organized, and can get through challenging situations. A resume without a college degree, doesn’t necessarily mean the opposite, but for some people it lacks that “proof.” Anyway, what we do and don’t do can change certain outcomes.
Smile and be well!