What is karma?
I hear this term used frequently with regards to laws of nature. What is karma or how does it work?
Karma aligns with the Newtonian theory that every action has a reaction, every cause has an effect. Whatever you do comes back to you either in this life or the next. In a spiritual sense, karma governs human behavior in that we are responsible for our actions and beliefs and responsible for our intention behind them which have the greatest impact on future actions/beliefs. It is a perpetual process in which our nature is being shaped by actions. It also warns us to be mindful of every decision we make.
What goes around comes around. That is the most commonly used way to describe how karma works. In my experience, I find that people do not always suffer consequences for their behaviors. If they did in equal measure to the ignorance and problems they create.
Karma is the binding of action. When one decides on what one "wants" the universe will give that one what it needs to be "one". It takes two to make one, does it not?
Karma I believe is the shortest way of saying "you get what you get". It's believed that it is nature's own way of giving you what you deserve. For example if you are to treat others poorly in life, you may be thrown into a situation where you spend some time being looked down upon and treated as others have treated you before. Of course Karma isn't instantaneous, and these situations don't tend to happen until a much later point.
Karma is a concept that originates from ancient Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is often referred to as the "law of cause and effect" or the principle of moral causation. Karma can be understood as the cumulative result of your actions and choices in life.
The word "karma" itself means "action" or "deed" in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. According to the belief, every action you perform, whether it be physical, verbal, or mental, leaves an imprint on your consciousness. These imprints, or karmic seeds, influence your future experiences and determine the quality of your life.
Karma can be seen as a form of moral accountability, where positive actions lead to positive consequences, and negative actions lead to negative consequences. It is not necessarily about punishment or reward but rather about cause and effect. Actions motivated by selflessness, compassion, and kindness tend to generate positive karma, leading to more positive circumstances in the future. Conversely, actions driven by anger, greed, or cruelty tend to accumulate negative karma, resulting in more challenging experiences.
Understanding how karma works can help bring awareness to our actions and their potential consequences. By living with mindfulness and making ethical choices, individuals can strive to create positive karma and improve their future outcomes.
To explore more about the concept of karma, reading books on Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism can provide a deeper understanding of its intricacies and philosophical underpinnings. Additionally, engaging in conversations with practitioners or scholars of these religions can offer valuable insights and perspectives.