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Don’t Be A Banana Slug

28 June 2009 4 Comments

I’m not sure what I believe in regards to the afterlife. I’m definitely intrigued by the idea of reincarnation, though. More importantly the role that karma plays in reincarnation. I don’t know that I completely understand the pure mechanics of reincarnation (Religions of the World 201 only got me so far in my knowledge of Eastern beliefs) but there is something both encouraging and self-challenging about the overall concept. We will be rewarded for our good behaviors, and held accountable for our evils.

This was reinforced for me as I was watching “The Big Bang Theory” on DVR earlier this year, and it isn’t just because I have a huge soft spot in my heart for an adorable geeky guy. One of the characters on the show is an Indian Particle Astrophysicist (seriously, I’m not even sure what that exact field of study is!) and his beliefs and customs are sometimes shunned as they do not always meld well with such analytical and scientific minds. As one of the others is discussing the fallacies of karma, he explains most eloquently: “It’s not superstition, it’s practically Newtonian. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. If you pretend to be someone’s friend, but behind their back you are a two-faced bitch, you will come back as a banana slug. It’s actually an eloquent system.“

I’ve never heard karma explained that way, but I think it definitely clinched for me the beauty of the system. It is very cause and effectual. As Raj clearly explains, the whole theory has a very scientific method approach. This makes more sense to me than blind faith. I’m not much of a jumper, and I like to understand the reasons for things instead of just believing them. When faced with question A, I like to find Process B to get to Solution C. If you are a jerk, then karma will rear it’s ugly head and you will be made to suffer the consequences of your actions. It’s just about the only way I see in today’s world that anyone is held accountable for anything, even if they don’t realize it.

I’ve told many of my friends about this quote. It makes it much easier to assess problems or situations we are going thru. When I hear a story of someone just being an idiot, I simply shake my head and utter “banana slug.” Now, the next part of karma I still have to figure out…why do bad things happen to good people? That piece aside, I’m quickly becoming a fan of the Banana Slug Theory.

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  • Paul Doucette

    I like your banana slug theory – I know it first came from Big Bang Theory. One thing to think about and maybe research is that there is the theory that reincarnation was actually part of the Bible. It was removed in the 11 or 1200's by those that purged all sorts of things from the Bible because they did not go along with their beliefs.(the Apochrapha) I personally do believe in reincarnation. My thought is that you keep living a life here on earth until you get to as close to perfection as anyone can be. There was even an elderly lady at our church who believed in it. We were discussing this at a Sunday School class on C S Lewis' Screwtapes book. I don't remember how it came up, but it did and we both gave our views and they were very similar. As far as coming back as a banana slug – I don't know. There are some that I wish would.

  • Rachael Stott

    I too love Big Bang Theory. It is soo funny and an intelligent comedy that doesnt rely on toilet humour, but as you pointed out, it also takes a fresh modern look at social customs and societal beliefs.

    As for 'bad things' happening to 'good people'… Its a matter of perspective. As Sir Winston Churchill said 'The kite flies highest against the wind'. The way we react to so called 'bad' things can turn even the most tragic of circumatances into a life changing and positive event.

  • Sam

    I believe in karma, just like I believe in the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you…or something like that. But, although I'm confident that bad people will get a taste of their own medicine one day, I know full well that bad things happen to good people too. It's one of those cruel ironies in life that I will never understand. However, like Rachel said, life changing and positive events can come out of "bad" things if we react the right way.

    On a side note, I also love the Big Bang Theory. They're funny and intelligent, quite the combo :) Great post!

  • Elisa

    Paul (Dad) – I'm totally not surprised that organized religion swept something else under the carpet that didn't seem to align with their agendas. Course it's no secret that I'm not a big fan of organized religion anyways! :) Thanks for bringing that point into the conversation, though, it definitely adds an entirely new dimension!

    Rachel – While deep inside I do agree with the idea of perseverance against adversity, I still feel that there's some things that happen that just don't seem to make any sense in my brain (I've been hanging out over on Carlos Micelli's Owl Sparks blog lately, he makes me think about those things!)

    Sam – Ooh, I love the Golden Rule as well. I think it kinda goes hand in hand with the golden rule. As my Dad mentioned above, it seems that karma had some life in early Christianity…I wonder if like the Golden Rule, every religion at one point had it's own version?