Not necessarily a bad thing, it has earned itself the most potent compare to that of the ‘B-I-T-C-H.’ Karma, although a spiritual tenet, is also a universal law which was demonstrated by Newton as the Law of Action and Reaction. The Buddha explained karma as “this arises, that becomes.” It is not the same as cause and effect. It is more circular. Take for example life and death – cause and effect would have us think that we die because we are born. It is almost as if these 2 concepts are separate, as though they are opposites. Karma teaches us that life and death involve each other and are connected, and that life implies death and death implies life.
Though its specifics are different depending on the religion, karma generally denotes the cycle of cause and effect — each action a person takes will affect him/her at some time in the future. This rule also applies to a person’s thoughts and words, and the actions other people take under that individual’s instructions.
‘Karma,’ as a philosophical concept is an original Vedic thought (1500 BCE), which was later propagated and popularized by the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira(500 BCE).
Through the thousands of years, we have lived on this or other realms, we have activated a series of events, like a chain reaction. Every moment that we breathe, we act, think and feel activates a change in the astral and physical plane. This change of energy will convert to actual events which become our reality.
Buddhism teaches us that we are not tiny, insignificant specks on a lonely little planet. We are in fact a part of everything around us, and everything that happens is happening as it should. It is not up to us to control the world around us. We have to control what is within ourselves, and by doing so, we become part of everything.
In other words, what we now call ‘Reality,’ is merely the result of all our actions, thoughts, prayers and curses of our present and our past lives! More importantly, karma is wrapped up with the concept of reincarnation or rebirth, in which a person is born in a new human body after death. The effects of an action can therefore be visited upon a person in a future life, and the good or bad fortune someone experiences, may be the result of actions performed in past lives.
Karma is not an instant reward system. It is a set of values that are meant to teach us all to do better. The more good people do, the more good will come of it. In a nutshell, karma dictates, that if you plant an acorn, an oak will grow. The oak will produce acorns and the cycle of growth will continue. If you plant a rotten seed, nothing will grow – that is karma.
THE 12 LAWS OF KARMA
The word “law,” is often used for lack of a more appropriate translation. The 12 Laws of Karma are not laws – they are more like lessons. The laws are meant to educate you to make the necessary changes within yourself. To set you on a path of good karma and free yourself from bad karma as it were. If the world around you is in chaos, it is because there is chaos within yourself:
1. The Great Law
Whatever we put into the universe will come back to us.
The message here is similar to that of the Law of Attraction. In other words, whatever you give out is also what you will receive, whether it is positive or negative. So, if you want love in your life, be loving. If you want to enjoy financial abundance, be generous.
2. The Law of Creation
Life does not happen by itself, we have to make it happen.
A major part of understanding the Law of Creation is seeing that things outside ourselves tell us what’s going on inside. So, if you don’t like the way your life looks right now, look within and ask yourself what needs to change.
3. The Law of Humility
We must accept something before we can change it.
For example, if you constantly blame others for things that you created or you see anyone who disagrees with you as a villain, you’re out of step with reality. You will, therefore, find it very difficult to make the shifts you need. Consistent self-reflection can help you make the most of the Law of Humility.
4. The Law of Growth
By changing ourselves, we change our lives.
Focus on your development before trying to control or change others; let them come to their own conclusions about what needs to change.
5. The Law of Responsibility
We are responsible for what happens in our lives.
Like the Law of Growth, this karmic law aims to teach you that you should be looking to take ownership of the good and bad things you create, rather than constantly looking outside yourself to find excuses.
6. The Law of Connection
The past, the present, and the future are all connected.
This law emphasizes the interconnected nature of the past, present, and future, and reminds us that our control over the present and future can help us to obliterate the bad energy of the past (whether it is from our current life or a previous life).
7. The Law of Focus
We cannot think of two different things at the same time.
Our minds are not equipped to follow multiple trains of thought with equal competency. So, if you have several important goals, try to follow them in a linear, ranked order rather than giving each goal only a fraction of your energy.
8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality
Our behaviour should match our thoughts and actions.
The focus here is on the link between belief and practice. It suggests and encourages the importance of ensuring that your actions reflect your deeper beliefs.
9. The Law of Here and Now
We cannot be present if we are looking backward.
Following the Law of Here and Now means reminding yourself that the present is all you really have and that it is there to be fully engaged with and enjoyed.
10. The Law of Change
History repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path.
If you notice that you seem to be stuck in a loop, this is because there’s something fundamental that has not yet been addressed.
11. The Law of Patience and Reward
The most valuable rewards require persistence.
If you expect immediate results, you will ultimately be disappointed; your successes will be minor in comparison to what you’re capable of achieving. Instead, look to figure out your true purpose. Act in accordance with that purpose and enjoy the reward of knowing you are doing what you are supposed to with your current life. In time, associated successes (emotional and material) will follow.
12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration
Rewards are a result of the effort and energy we put into it.
This aspect of karma stresses that every contribution you make will influence the Whole, however small or great that contribution may be. Whenever you make creative, loving contributions to the world around you, your act inspires similarly positive behavior from others and attracts more positivity back into your life.
Regardless of whether you believe in karma and reincarnation or not, there are some valuable lessons to be learned from these teachings. It is a universal truth that a lot of the suffering in this word is a direct result of inaction. Karma teaches us to act and to do – we simply need to start thinking, acting, and doing more good.
