Q & A with Robina

A rock painted with mantras near Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu. Photo: Ven. Katy Cole.

QUESTION

Hi Robina.

This is L – I took refuge vows with you recently.

Something traumatic happened to me two days ago. I was robbed at gunpoint in my home. Two men took my purse and wallet with my IDs, credit cards, my car keys, and all my sentimental jewelry given to me by my mother. The jewelry was worth more than $2,000.

I'm saddest about the part that I feel that I failed my mother, because she have given me those sentimental items. I've been thinking about what karmic actions I have done in my past lives to have this manifest, I hope that it has purified some negative karma.

I cannot help but feel attachment to the things I've lost. I went back to work the next day because I wanted to resume routine life and stay out of my house away from the crime scene. I think about the suspects, about their karma, forgiving them and seeing that what they did was out of ignorance and suffering. Detectives are working on the case.

Although I want my things to be found and the people caught, I know that there's a chance that it might not happen. At least I want to see the jewelry.

I hope you will share with me your insight in the middle of your busy time. 

Warmest regards,

L

ANSWER

I am so sorry, L! That’s awful. I can only imagine.

For sure, it’s purification. Be glad about that. And it’s so wonderful that you can think about the people who did it and the karma they have created, and to forgive them. And it’s great you went back to work the next day. 

Of course there is attachment to the precious things! That’s natural. Let’s hope the police find them.

The main thing is to protect your mind, to stay as steady as you can. To increase you confidence in the law of karma. To be confident that you have, in fact, purified. In general, any time something bad happens, it’s the purification of some past negative karma; that’s the most optimistic attitude to have.

But remember, as you say, that you might not see the precious gifts from your mother again. That’s realistic. Accepting this can alleviate the pain and the attachment.

And you haven’t failed your mother, that’s for sure! You did nothing wrong!

Much love,

Robina