Helping or Paying Back?

Question: A friend says my caring for stray cats is due to me ‘owing’ them karmically, though I feel that it is out of compassion, more out of empathy than sympathy. What do you think?

Answer: Instead of thinking in terms of ‘owing’ or not, what we can say is that you have karmic affinity with the cats that you help voluntarily. You know the helping is voluntary because you can choose to walk away like your friend, but choose not to, out of proactive compassion. The idea of ‘owing’ is useless. It is not helpful to the cats, yourself or your friend. In fact, it can be a dangerous idea. For example, if everyone thinks they have absolutely no obligation to help anyone in need because they don’t ‘owe’ anyone anything, how do they cultivate their compassion and how do the needy receive help from anyone? Of course, we can say good karma will find its way to be expressed if the needy truly deserve help – but why not voluntarily play a part in being the means for their good karma to be expressed? Doing so creates good karma on our part too, making it more likely for others to help us in future, though this should not be hankered after. In short, voluntary helping creates win-win situations for all involved. ‘Owing’ or not is not important at all when it comes to wanting to help and receiving help.