Tricycle | Awake in the World

Is it true we can inherit karma from our parents?

Thanks in anticipation, Rhonda

“Nudgie Lama” (aka David Nichtern) responds:

Nothing but karma. That’s exactly what we inherit from our parents on every level—genetic, physiological, psychological, emotional, atmospheric. Our parents pack us a lunchbox in more ways than one. In some sense, our job is to harmonize or synchronize the contrasting energies of our parents. In the Buddhist teachings, it is said that we are drawn toward the energy of the parent of the opposite sex and away from the parent of the same sex. Sigmund Freud said the same thing, some time later.