Purify Negative Imprints

KARMA

HOW CAN WE PURIFY NEGATIVE IMPRINTS?

Purification by means of the four opponent powers is very important. It not only Prevent  Future suffering, but also relieves the guilt or the heavy feeling we experience now. By cleansing our mind, we are able to understand the dharma better, and we are more peaceful and can concentrate better. 

The four opponent powers used to purify negative or seeds are 
1-Regret
2-Determination not to do the action again,
3-Taking refuge and generating an altruistic attitude towards others,
4- An actual remedial practice.

First, we acknowledge and have regret for doing the destructive action. Self-recrimination and guilt are quire useless and are just a way of emotionally torturing ourselves. With sincere regret, on the other hand, we acknowledge that we made a mistake and regret doing it.

Secondly, we make a determination not to do the action again. If it is an action that we do habitually and frequently, like criticizing others, it would be hypocritical to say we will never do that again the rest of our lives. It is better to choose a realistic amount of times and determine that we will try not to repeat the action, but will be especially mindful and make concerted effort during that period of time.

The third opponent power is that of reliance. Our destructive actions are generally in relation to either holy objects such as Buddha, dharma and sangha, or other sentient beings. To reestablish a good relationship with the holy objects we rely on them by taking refuge or seeking direction from them. To have a good relationship with other sentient beings we generate an altruistic attitude towards them so that so that we dedicate our heart to becoming Buddha in order to be able to be benefit them in the best way.

The fourth element is to do a remedial action. This may be any positive action. Listening to teachings, reading a dharma book, prostrating, making offerings, reciting the names of God, chanting mantras, making statues or paintings of God, meditation and so on. The most powerful remedial action is to meditate on emptiness.

The four opponent powers must be done repeatedly. We have done negative actions many times, so naturally we cannot expect to counteract them all at once. The stronger the four opponents powers are-the stronger our regret is, and so on-the more powerful the purification will be. It is very good to do purification with the four opponent powers every before going to sleep in order to counteract whatever destructive actions we have committed during the day.