Search results
People also ask
Where did Karma come from?
Can Karma be shared?
Does karma create positive or negative consequences?
What does karma mean in astrology?
Learn the origin, synonyms, and examples of the word karma, which can mean the force of actions and consequences in Hinduism and Buddhism, or the aura of something. See how karma is used in sentences and related articles.
Karma (/ ˈ k ɑːr m ə /, from Sanskrit: कर्म, IPA: ⓘ; Pali: kamma) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences.
- Overview
- What exactly is karma?
- What are the 12 laws of karma?
- 1. The great law or the law of cause and effect
- 2. The law of creation
- 3. The law of humility
- 4. The law of growth
- 5. The law of responsibility
- 6. The law of connection
- 7. The law of focus
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
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.
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,” Rhodes explains.
“The journey is not about being perfect, it’s about undoing what is not us and becoming who we really are,” she adds.
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 incentivize 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.
When most people talk about karma, they’re likely referring to the great law of cause and effect, Patel says.
According to this law, whatever thoughts or energy you put out, you get back — good or bad. In order to get what you want, you have to embody and be worthy of those things. It’s the concept of what you reap, you sow.
The law of creation underscores the importance that life doesn’t just happen to us. To make things happen in your life, you need to take action, instead of waiting for something to magically come your way.
“You are the co-creator of making what you want, based on your intentions,” Patel says.
She recommends asking yourself what you need to release so you can create space for the thing you desire to show up.
Also consider how you can use your skills, talents, and strengths to create something that not only benefits you but others, too.
According to Paul Harrison, creator of The Daily Meditation, the law of humility is based on the principle that you must be humble enough to accept that your current reality is the result of your past actions.
For example, if you’re blaming your colleagues for your poor performance at work, Harrison says you must accept that you created this reality by not performing as well as you could have.
Growth starts within us. To positively shape the world, you need to start with yourself. That’s because real change or personal growth begins with what you have control over, which is yourself, not others.
The law of growth also looks at the things you can’t control and how you deal with accepting this fate. Ultimately, your focus should be on you, not trying to control the people or things around you.
Alex Tran, a yoga instructor based in Seattle, Washington, says the law of responsibility is her favorite law to teach in class.
“It’s a reminder that you own what happens to you in life. It’s a great reminder that what happens to you is because of you. This eliminates the opportunity for you to look outward to find the cause of your problems,” Tran explains.
This law is based on the principle that everything in your life, including your past, present, and future, are connected.
“Who you are today is the result of your previous actions,” Harrisons says.
Focusing on too many things at once can slow you down and lead to frustration and negativity. That’s why the law of focus encourages you to concentrate on one thing at a time.
“If you focus on higher values like love and peace, then you’re less likely to be distracted by heavy feelings of resentment, greed, or anger,” Patel says.
Karma is the philosophy of cause and effect, where your actions and thoughts create your reality. Learn the 12 laws of karma and how to use them to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
noun. Hinduism, Buddhism. action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation: in Hinduism one of the means of reaching Brahman. Compare bhakti ( def 1 ), jnana.
- 2 min
Karma is the universal law of action and consequence in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Learn about the origins, meanings, and functions of karma in different traditions, and how it relates to rebirth, ethics, and theodicy.
Apr 28, 2024 · Karma is the law of cause and effect in human affairs, influenced by Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Learn how karma relates to morality, rebirth, and the Bible, and how it differs from fate and destiny.
Dec 4, 2015 · Karma is a Sanskrit word that primarily means 'action' but for South Asian Religions (and Philosophy) it is not limited to that as the term has gained various meanings and connotations over time. The term karma connects actions and results.
