Karma

Karma in the west has a negative ring to it. In Sanskrit Karma translates literally to “action”. The concept of Karma is that each action (good or bad) has an equal reaction (of the same kind). Our Karmic “account”, if you wish, is full of not only our actions, but also our thoughts, emotions, even belief system (and if you believe in re-incarnation, both baggage and knowledge from past lives too).
Every thought and feeling (even if left not acted upon), has a consequence. If your belief system dictates that you cannot beat the disease you’re fighting, or ever get out of debt, or have children, or leave an abusive relationship then that becomes your reality.
Karma is not a “punishment” system as such. I see it more of a learning system. Whatever you’re lacking in your life, mind, emotions and actions will continue to haunt you till you know better and make a change (whether internal or
external).
It is also not “personal” in the sense that next time someone wrongs you, know that it is your karma as much as it is theirs. I know many will disagree (and some will even get aggressive), but there are reasons why some people find themselves as “victims”, “sufferers” or even “under privileged”. Studies have found that most women who were subject to domestic violence, find themselves in equally abusive relationships after receiving help. Why? Because the belief system didn’t change. The problem is not the person delivering the Karma to you (in the form of a disease, abusive relative etc) but rather the reason that Karma landed in your lap: the lesson you are yet to learn to become the version of you that you that is happier and more peaceful.
The beautiful thing about “bad” Karma is that not only does it consistently provide valuable lessons of growth and liberation. They also provide endless opportunities to be reversed. There are many stories told of people who solved their own problems by helping others: the paralyzed man who finally walked after donating an artificial leg to an amputated man, the man who found love after helping a couple in need, the stories go on.
One of the main lessons that Karma continues to try to teach us is simple: we are One.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Metta Always, Weam

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