IN THE FACE OF A NEGATIVE AFFINITY, DO WE ENDURE OR AVOID IT?
Caller: There are both good and bad affinities within one’s relationship circle. In the context of a negative affinity, where deep down, we understand the nature of it is the crystallisation of evil seeds sown in the past, and hence, we must accept and resolve it as it comes. Apart from reciting the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots, if we choose to walk out from the relationship, would the affinity be considered to have come to an end?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Evade! Evasion itself is also one type of resolution. Once, a caller told me that her husband would get aggressive for no reason. She told me, “I would avoid my husband whenever he loses his mind”. Do you think she should escape or get beaten up by him?
Caller: Certainly escape. But what if the situation is not as bad?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If the situation is not so grave but the negative affinity is overbearing, you should try to avoid it. For example, you can leave home early in the morning and return slightly later at night, can’t you? After all, you are not abandoning your family.
Caller: We are not referring to family relationships. What if this problem crops up, for example, at our workplaces?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That is a little tricky. Try to avoid it whenever possible. Avoidance is also a way to resolve bad karmic affinities.
Caller: What about situations that are unavoidable? We know well that this is caused by negative karmic affinity and we insist on reciting the Mantra to Untie Karmic Knots. If we continue to put up with the situation, would this help eliminate our karmic obstacles or ……?
Master Jun Hong Lu: This helps eliminate your karmic obstacles. When you are putting up with the situation, the issue is in the midst of being resolved. In this context, there is nothing much that you can do but endure.
In fact, practising tolerance constitutes a vital foundation for Buddhist learning. A person without the capacity to tolerate will never be able to cultivate well. Who does not need to exercise tolerance? When you are driving and the traffic light turns red, you will still have to bear with it and stop the car even if you think that it is safe to proceed.
Caller: Yes, agree, but from a different perspective, if we opt to leave, we would be free from worries and it will be conducive to our cultivation?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That will depend. You may be relieved from this spot, but you may not necessarily be better off in another spot. The fact is, karmic affinities follow you wherever you go, so does bad karma.
Caller: Understand.
Source: Wenda20130419 25:07, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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