Cause and Effect, and the State of the Heart: How Buddhism, Psychology, and Counselling Guide Inner Harmony

In my previous article, I explored the Japanese idiom "自業自得" (jigou jitoku), which translates to "you reap what you sow." This concept emphasises the connection between our actions and their outcomes, highlighting the importance of our mental state.

Building on this, in this article, I want to consider the Buddhist principle of "因果応報" (inga ouhou), or "cause and effect," and explore the relationship between our inner world and the reality we experience.

What is Cause and Effect?

"因果応報" (inga ouhou) can be simply explained as the law that "every cause has a result." In Buddhism, our actions, thoughts, and state of mind are considered the cause (in), which inevitably produces outcomes (ka) that return to us in the future.

Difference from "You Reap What You Sow"

• Jigou Jitoku (自業自得): The idea that consequences follow directly from one’s actions; commonly used in everyday language.

  
  

• Inga Ouhou (因果応報): A broader concept where all causes lead to results, regardless of scale or moral value, including the state of mind and thoughts.

  
  

In other words, while jigou jitoku emphasises the link between actions and outcomes, inga ouhou highlights that our mindset and thought patterns also shape the results we experience.

Cause and Effect and Psychology: The Law of the Mirror and Projection

The Law of the Mirror can be seen as a practical reflection of inga ouhou.

• Our internal emotions and thoughts are unconsciously projected onto our surroundings.

  
  

• Our reactions to others and events reflect the state of our own mind.

  
  

The psychological concept of projection further clarifies this:

• If we harbour anger or anxiety, we may perceive it in others and react accordingly.

  
  

• If we cultivate kindness and gratitude, we are more likely to notice and appreciate these qualities in others.

  
  

This means that what we perceive in the world often mirrors our inner state. Conversely, by tending to our internal world, we can positively influence our external relationships and experiences.

Cause and Effect and the Mind: Lessons from My Son

I have an adolescent son who experienced a mild depressive state. At first, I felt compelled to "fix" the situation and do everything I could to help him.

However, one day, I realised: "Could what is happening be a reflection of challenges within my own mind that need addressing?"

I recognised that my anxieties about being a "good mother" – wanting him to go to a prestigious university and grow up to be a respectable person – had subtly manifested in my behaviour and words. These expectations, I realised, were unconsciously projected onto him, influencing his responses and behaviour. In short, my inner state was shaping the reality of our relationship.

I decided to take the time to carefully reflect on and organise my own mind. Gradually, the anxiety and irritation I felt towards him began to dissipate, allowing me to interact with him from a calmer and more balanced place. As a result, as I stabilised my inner state, his condition also slowly improved.

This, I came to understand, was a living example of the principle of cause and effect.

Lessons from the Words of the Buddha and Carl Jung

The Buddha said: "We are shaped by our thoughts; if the mind is pure, happiness will follow; if the mind is impure, suffering will follow."

This highlights the essence of inga ouhou: our state of mind directly affects the reality we experience. Before trying to change external events or other people’s behaviour, it is crucial to cultivate a calm and balanced mind. Our thoughts, emotions, and unconscious habits naturally manifest in observable outcomes and everyday interactions. By adopting this perspective, we can respond to life’s events with composure and avoid being overwhelmed.

Carl Jung said: "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

Jung pointed out that unacknowledged beliefs and emotions shape our actions and relationships without us realising it. By becoming aware of my anxieties and expectations regarding my son, I could recognise the emotions I had unconsciously projected onto him. This awareness enabled me to interact with him more calmly and naturally, and our relationship improved over time.

This personal experience illustrates Jung’s teaching in practice: observing and bringing awareness to our inner world can change the outcomes we experience.

Both the Buddha and Jung, though separated by time and culture, convey the same fundamental message: turning attention inward and cultivating a balanced mind directly influences the reality we experience. What we can control is not external events but how we relate to our own minds. The principle of cause and effect supports this conscious choice, shaping the future that unfolds from it.

What I Can Do Now

Adolescents are unpredictable; it is often unclear why they are sullen or angry.

In such moments, I feel there are three things I can do:

• Trust my son.

  
  

• Be present when he needs me.

  
  

• Reflect on my own mind when worry arises.

  
  

We cannot change others, but by focusing on our own inner world, we can consciously choose the influence we exert on the future.

Practical Steps for Self-Reflection

How can we practise self-reflection? Here is a process that can be tried immediately:

1. Recognise your emotions – Simply articulate, "This is how I feel right now." That alone is sufficient.

   
   

2. Create distance from your emotions – Observe your feelings from a slight distance, without being swept away.

   
   

3. Explore the cause – Ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this?" and consider related past experiences.

   
   

4. Accept and release emotions – Acknowledge them without judgment, allowing the energy to naturally settle.

   
   

By repeating this process, you can become aware of unconscious beliefs, anxieties, and expectations, and gradually organise and release them.

A Small Step: What You Can Do Today

A simple step to take today is to quietly say "thank you" to yourself in your mind. If possible, speak it out loud.

In that moment, warmth, lightness, and positivity may arise within you. These small shifts create gentle ripples that return to you in the future.

At Locus of Life, I support you in noticing your daily thoughts, words, and actions, helping you take small steps while engaging with your inner self.

By quietly practising gratitude today, you can make your future a little kinder and freer. By carefully observing and nurturing your inner world, the outcomes that return to you can indeed change.