The most important aspect of karma relates to the state of our mind. At some point, whether we meditate or not, we learn that certain activities disturb the mind. When we apply awareness to cause and effect, we cultivate recognition of subtle shifts in mental behavior, and we become more sensitive to how an agitated mind affects other activities. If we don’t pay for our bills, we might become so afraid that the bill collectors will call or knock on the door that we become increasingly anxious, untill we are in serious psychological trouble. In the same way, taking an opportunity to help in small ways, such as helping a lady lift her toddler’s stroller onto a bus, giving up a seat on the subway, even just smiling more than usual, can condition the mind to generate more goodwill and can infuse the whole atmosphere with some subtle sense of kindness.

Mingyur Rinpoche

from the book Turning Confusion into Clarity: A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism

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Further quotes from the book Turning Confusion into Clarity:

• What creates samsara
• We are born buddhas
• The very first sign of waking up
• Recognition
• Not a substitute for practice
• Diligence
• Befriending the monkey mind
• There is no absolute bad karma
• The real obstacle to resting meditation
• The student’s responsibility
• Becoming the awareness
• The Four Considerations for Choosing a Teacher
• You are discovering yourself
• The mind of letting go
• Rejoicing
• Impermanence
• Freedom exists within our very own mind
• Turning toward awakening
• Ordinary sangha