QUESTION
Hi Robina
I accidentally killed a baby gecko and I can’t stop crying. Those around me think I’m being dramatic and telling me “It’s only a gecko, why are you so upset?” as though its life matters less than theirs.
That also makes me feel angry towards their inhumane belief that their existence is somehow more precious than other life. But I’m trying to send compassion towards their arrogance.
I have meditated on the gecko and wished it peace but my heart feels a bit broken. I did take a vow not to kill and now I feel as though I’ve broken it.
I understand intent behind the action is everything with karma but I still can’t soothe myself.
I guess I needed to repent with you and perhaps have your point of view and guidance.
Thank you!
G
ANSWER
Dearest G!
How kind of you to have such compassion: so special.
After that, the best is to simply be extra careful to not do it again. Difficult! But all we can do is our best.
A crucial thing to remember is how the law of karma plays out. Remember that everything we think and do and say brings results to ourself: so think of the gecko: a sentient being, who like us has karmic seeds in its mind, running along the road and then, due to the ripening of its personal karma with you, it dies.
So it’s like we’re in the life together: all the people who are kind to us, who are unkind to us, whom we harm, whom we benefit: we’ve all got strong links with each other.
So, yes, it’s good to regret your having killed the gecko, but the poor little gecko created the cause from having killed you in the past — hundreds of lives ago even! — and then the karma ripened.
All the things you do to help others: same: they have the karma to receive your kindness because they’ve been kind to you.
Think about this!
Much love,
Robina