What Buddhists want to point out, at root, is that unlimited emotional space and expansion is possible, and that only varied forms of ignorance and emotional and cognitive dysfunction prevent us from realizing this fact. I realize the name for these dysfunctions, which are categorized and placed in lists in various ways by different traditions, is Klesha.
Karma, to put it another way, is the outcome of the operation of Klesha. Klesha is how and why you screw up, and Karma is the outcome.
But again, at root, the notion is that our natural state, the state God (the universe, the Law, or whatever name we want to use) intends for us, is one that is completely happy in ways which transcend the normal notion of happiness as something close to and not exceeding having all the things and love that we want.
Reaching previously unknown emotional states is strange, but fun. I remember Annie Lennox singing about a “new emotion”, and wondering how that was possible. It would be like a new color. They have all been catalogued.
But all of us are capable of feeling emotions that are new TO US. And for that matter, there is no reason not to suppose all emotions are unique to people, times and places.
Think about this, actually: even at the best restaurant, is every meal EXACTLY the same? Not if you pay attention to detail. Think about the sky: does it ever repeat exactly? No. Is the lawn of this year the same as last year? Of course not.
Even machines, I would argue, are not exact. There is always room for randomness, for chaos. Can I say God is a pirate, too?
Ah, ramblings of a confused soul. Thank God I am confused. I knew everything before. With a nod to
Bob Dylan, I will say that I seem to be getting younger.