Surely you have said many, many times that ‘karma will pay you back’, ‘karma will punish you’ or ‘that’s karma’. Since we were children we all know that this word refers to that mystical ‘energy’ that balances things, and that, in short, is positive if we do good things, or negative if we do bad things. But… have you ever stopped to think more seriously about where this concept comes from? Do you know what its history is? Do you really know everything it can imply? If you are a spiritual person (and you believe in these energies), keep reading, this may be of great interest to you…
What is karma?
The word ‘Karma’ comes from Sanskrit, which is the classical language of India. According to Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism), it is an action, a spiritual force or a transcendent energy that is derived from our actions, our words and our thoughts, which conditions or influences certain moments of our life (even possible reincarnations). Its operation is simple: good actions give rise to positive things, while bad actions give rise to negative things.
“Karma is the universal law of cause and effect: you get what you put in, you reap what you sow. A good deed equals good karma, and a bad deed equals bad karma,” notes psychic and author Mary T. Browne in her book The Power of Karma: How to Understand the Past to Shape the Future . According to her, karma can be used to understand the past and shape the future, so that past mistakes or failures are not repeated once the importance of karma is understood.
The Power of Karma: How to Know the Past to Shape the Future (NEW CONSCIOUSNESS)
How does karma work?
“Karma has nothing to do with rewards or punishments. The Indian word ‘karma’ means ‘action’ – your action, your responsibility. It is not an external system of crime and punishment, but an internal cycle generated by you, based on patterns of behaviours,” says renowned author Sadhguru in his most famous work, ‘ Karma: A Yogi’s Guide to Creating Your Destiny’.
Religions usually associate karma with reincarnation, since they understand that a single human life would not be enough to experience all the effects of the actions performed. “The whole idea of karma is, of course, inseparable from the theory or law of reincarnation. The process of reincarnation simply refers to the periodic manifestation of immortal beings, souls or spirits through the physical world, in order to learn certain lessons and develop specific ways of being, in preparation for a higher state of being (or consciousness),” says the specialized author Stephen Arroyo in his work ‘ Astrology, Karma and Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Natal Chart ‘. And you, do you believe in karma and reincarnation?
Astrology, Karma and Transformation. The Inner Dimensions of the Natal Chart
The 12 laws of karma
According to Hindus and Buddhists, in order to successfully navigate the path to evolution in this and subsequent lives, one must follow the laws of karma, which are 12. In his work ‘ The Laws of Karma: 60 minutes to change your life and your thinking ‘, the specialized author Daniel R. Aleman reveals what they are:
- The law of cause and effect: This is the basic law when we talk about karma: every choice we make and every action we take sets in motion a succession of events, unleashing a sequence of consequences that can be experienced by others and also by us in the first person. By being aware of this power, we can use it responsibly to sow seeds of kindness and compassion and do good deeds and thus contribute to the creation of a more peaceful and loving world.
- The Law of Creation: By practicing conscious manifestation, we become active co-creators of our reality and promote greater well-being in ourselves and the world around us. Your mission is to participate in life.
- The law of development: According to this law, the soul, in its immortality, goes through a series of physical existences over time, taking different forms in each one. Each existence that we live becomes a stage for learning and development, a classroom where the soul has the opportunity to advance and grow.
- The Law of Responsibility: The process of humbly accepting and assuming responsibility for our past actions is a crucial component in the path of our personal and spiritual development. This process is actually an opportunity to learn from our experiences, to grow in wisdom and to cultivate self-compassion, freeing ourselves from emotional burdens.
- The Law of Humility: Humility is a virtue that will make you grow morally and intellectually. Being humble and grateful is also remembering that your reality is a product of your past thoughts and actions.
- The law of connection: Everything is connected to each other: what we do has an effect on others and vice versa. Although an act may seem inconsequential, it is connected to other elements of the universe and any action you perform is connected to another.
- The law of focus: You must pursue and focus on what your life goals are and move towards them little by little, without ever losing concentration or forgetting them.
- The Law of Generosity: Growth and abundance are only possible in the world if we are generous with those around us. Respect and compassion for others will make you advance spiritually and live in peace.
- The law of the present: It is based on the concept of ‘here and now’, and the need to live and be aware of the present moment, without thinking about the past or the future.
- The Law of Change: Bad luck tends to repeat itself until you find a way to change. If you make the same decisions over and over again, you will not get different results. Change is the only thing that is fixed in life.
- The law of patience: Everything takes time to evolve and nothing is immediate. Patience until you obtain the fruits of your work and effort must be one of the fundamental values in your life.
- The Law of Inspiration: The effort, energy and courage you put into your life on a daily basis can inspire and bring about change in the world. Live a full, rewarding and meaningful life.
