In Sanskrit, karma literally means “action.” According to experts, there are often misconceptions about what karma really is and how it applies to our lives.
This article will help shed light on what karma is, the philosophy behind it, and its core principles, known as the 12 laws of karma.
What exactly is karma?
The true definition of karma can vary depending on who you ask. Some people adhere to the traditional meaning grounded in Eastern religions, while others interpret it from more of a Western view of good and bad. As a result, this can lead to different views on how karma applies to life.
For example, the Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs says karma is the Hindu view of causality in which good thoughts, deeds, and words, may lead to beneficial effects, while bad thoughts, deeds, and words, may lead to harmful effects.
However, many experts like to look at karma as more than just “good” or “bad.”
According to Dr. Jennifer Rhodes, a licensed psychologist, karma is simply those situations or interactions that help us navigate our path toward our higher purpose.
“We are often easily distracted and miss messages which make us believe we have a lot of ‘bad’ karma. But those situations are simply signs for us to course-correct and move forward toward our higher purpose,” “The journey is not about being perfect, it’s about undoing what is not us and becoming who we really are,” Rhodes explains.
Tejal Patel, a meditation and mindfulness expert, looks at karma as a cycle of cause and effect that’s about action, not result.
“Karma is a philosophy of how to live our lives so we can truly become the best version of ourselves and live the most fulfilling life we desire,” she says.
And since the future is not set in stone, Patel says we can change the path of our life by the choices, thoughts, and deeds we choose right now.
What are the 12 laws of karma?
Everything is energy, including your thoughts and emotions, which are energy in motion. So, in essence, everything you do creates a corresponding energy that comes back to you in some form, Patel explains.
“Simply, everything you do creates either a positive or negative consequence,” she says.
Using karma as a set of powerful guidelines for your life can incentivise you to be more mindful of your thoughts, actions, and deeds before you make decisions.
With that in mind, think of the laws of karma as guidelines to follow as you go through daily life. The 12 laws of karma can help you understand how karma really works and how to create good karma in your life.
Let us look at each of these laws in more detail.
The bottom line
The 12 laws of karma can serve as a guideline or road map to follow as you go through your daily life. These laws can help you understand how karma really works, and the effect that your thoughts and actions can have on you and the world around you.
Using karma as a set of guidelines in your life can incentivise you to be more mindful of your thoughts, actions, and deeds before you make a decision.
Reference
Website – https://www.healthline.com/health/laws-of-karma#definition
