This worlds justice

[Ashrend]

I simply wanted to ask what do each of you believe of this entire universe and its laws of justice. Is karma a real thing? Or is the world just cruel? Is it a test from your gods for an ultimately better next life? Or is the aim of the game to just enjoy what little time we have and forget the haters? I'm curious as to what makes your world alright when things go wrong, what solidifies your belief in your religion, your family and friends when life is giving you lemons?

[Pallando]

I simply remind myself that I have no right to determine if my life is going right or wrong.
I recall the last paragraph of the excellent poem 'Desiderata'. Here it is in its entirety;



Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

[SnowCat]

That was the dedication in our high school yearbook my senior year. Thanks for the memory.

Snow

[SpiritTalker]

I'm not sure there is a law of justice, so much as lessons to be learned within the plane of consciousness, and wisdom gained within the collective. It seems that Mercy over rides getting a come-uppance, however much it seems to be deserved, when a lesson is overcome.

[Firedrake]

If there is some kind of universal karma/justice, it could only be exactly the opposite of what we'd like to believe it to be.

If you look at just how frequently unapologetic jerks and all around awful people are successful, and how good, ethical people have to struggle so much, the only logical conclusion is that karma rewards people we consider to be "bad" and punishes people we consider to be "decent".

As interesting a thought experiment as that makes for (perhaps we're already in a sort of "hell" dimension for past wrongs?), I instead choose to believe that there is no objective, universal judge of right and wrong, sentient or otherwise. Just makes things simpler.

[Lord_of_Nightmares]

The Eastern notion of karma is very different. But I am not sure I even believe in THAT. I don't believe in a cosmic mechanism for punishment. I do believe something like karma accumulates and effects reincarnation, though it may not always be bad. I do believe the gods can enact justice, however.