"Karma" is a term that we use daily, but perhaps we do not fully know its meaning, origin and the 12 laws that govern it.
Written and verified by the psychologist GetPersonalGrowth.
Last update: January 27, 2022
Within religious traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, karma is understood as a universal principle of justice and balance from which all your actions have an equivalent consequence. According to the Buddhist tradition, it does not derive from the existence of a god who judges and punishes our actions, but from precise laws of karma, cosmic forces that always tend towards compensation and harmony.
Karma is the judge of our actions, it is the transcendent and invisible energy that derives from our behaviors and accumulates consequences based on them. The laws of Karma tell us that the forces we set in motion ten minutes ago or ten lifetimes ago will return to us.
Intimately linked to the next reincarnations, following the principles of Hinduism, karma becomes the energy that we will use to purify the soul until we reach perfection. So while karma symbolizes responsibility for our actions, reincarnation would offer us the opportunity to move forward.
Based on this, we are free to behave as we wish from the first incarnation and, consequently, we will accumulate this energy. There creation of good and bad karma and intentional or unintentional will dictate what we must face and resolve in life. Our first goal is to learn, through experience, to be better.
Then, il Karma does not give rise to chance. Let's delve into the laws of Karma below which will dictate how we respond to our actions, thoughts and feelings.
“Is there a maxim that should underlie the actions that take place throughout life? It is certainly the maxim of compassion: don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you ”.
-Confucius-
The 12 Laws of Karma
1. The great law of Karma or the law of cause and effect
We grew up with this law, even if we don't know it: we will collect what we sow. What we disseminate in the Universe comes back.
Negative energy sent to others will come back to us, but ten times more powerful. Karma is the judge of our actions and helps us reflect on our suffering.
So it is leaving aside this spiritual approach, this principle has a great psychological correspondence. Take, for example, some behavioral dynamics. In that authoritarian father, in that controlling mother or in that friend who betrays or denies rumors.
The effect of these actions is evident in many cases: the distance, the need to put aside that attention that at a given moment gave us only suffering and unhappiness. Let us therefore reflect on this correspondence: the causality between our actions and their consequences.
2. Creation
Life requires us to participate in it. We are one with the universe inside and out, we are part of the current of the birth of nature and our lives reproduce like the rest of the natural cycles. Our surroundings provide us with clues to our inner state. Create the options we want in life.
Within Buddhism, each of us is fully responsible for what we do. The laws of Karma teach us that we have enough freedom to be able to create the reality we want.
However, in later we will play based on those choices made, on that fabric designed according to our actions.
3. Law of humility
What you refuse to accept will continue to happen to you. This well-known principle of the laws of Karma is something we see very often in our daily life.
We all somehow present certain internal realities that we don't want to see. In us dwells selfishness, excessive attachment to the material or even our absolute dependence on certain people.
Being humble is being able to see reality even if we don't like it. It is about looking within to see all of our wounds, our flaws and our weaknesses.
Only those who are able to see themselves authentically are able to make a change. And that progress, that conquest must start from the law of humility.
4. Laws of karma: growth
Wherever you go, there will always be you. To grow authentically, it is we who must change and not the people, places or things that surround us.
But the implementation of this basic principle requires a great deal of effort. The reason? Our society did not educate us according to the law of growth.
We are obsessed with looking outside, with wanting what we don't have, from envying what the other has. We are passive entities waiting for others to change to suit our needs.
We will have control over ourselves only when we are able to grow within. Leaving aside the context, accepting those around us for what they are and not for what we would like them to be.
If we try to change our being, our life will also change. And this must be done carefully so that it returns to karmic benefit.
5. Liability law
Do we take responsibility for each of your actions? Your happiness depends on what you do, what you say or don't say, your silences, your presence or absence.
You are responsible for your choices, your mistakes and your successes. According to the laws of Karma, everything that happens to us is a reflection of our interior.
It is clear, however, that there are things that are beyond our control. When we least expect it, adversity comes. Now, in these cases what matters is your attitude towards those events.
How you respond will also determine its effect. So do it, be responsible for yourself, your words, actions and reactions.
6. Laws of karma: connection
The universe itself is inscribed in the smallest things. In the casual, in every encounter, in every act, decision, personal choice. All these dynamics according to the laws of Karma are connected.
Because everything that exists is set like a beaded bracelet. If one pearl moves it will move on to the next ones, if one breaks the others will come away too.
Likewise, every step we take is the result of our past. Our present decisions influence future ones. Nothing is left free, no bond is dissolved in our existence.
Being able to perceive the law of connection will allow us to be more consistent (and prudent) in each of our decisions.
Neither the first nor the last step is more or less important because both are necessary to complete the task. The laws of Karma remind us that we are all connected in the past, present and future.
7. Law of focus
You can't think of two things at the same time. You have to go up step by step, little by little. When we lose north in our compass, we wake up with insecurity and anger.
Let's face it, this is also another of our outstanding problems. Daniel Goleman himself reminds us of the importance of training attention as if it were a muscle.
Our reality is full of mysteries, opportunities and corners in which is the happiness. Only those who are mind and heart attentive will connect with what the universe has in store for them.
Now, those who look at the world only for lack, materialism and a desire for possession, will rarely understand the mystery of the case. The magic of life.
Focusing is looking at the world from the heart. Adapting our gaze to what surrounds us is to connect to reality wisely.
8. Law of gift and hospitality
Whoever is capable of giving others what is his, also offers part of his energy: it makes our universe wider and more receptive. Offering and welcoming are two vital principles in humanity, what makes us great, what makes us noble.
Because these two acts are realized through humility and that barefoot approach of selfishness where one can welcome the other as part of oneself.
According to the laws of Karma, this energy also returns to us. Whoever protects, welcomes and is able to give in the end also receives. Sooner or later that act of nobility will reward us as we deserve,
9. Here and now
Looking back and living anchored in the past is what prevents us from enjoying the present. We need to learn to focus on what is happening right now, in the here and now. How to reach it?
We are that committed and hyper-connected company. We are waiting for multiple stimuli and the present fades on the horizon in the face of so many pressures, information and anxieties.
At this point it is also necessary to apply the law of focus. Something that teaches us very good practices like mindfulness.
Only when we learn to train our attention in the present moment, we can better appreciate every moment and be aware of everything that happens.
10. Laws of Karma: Change
History repeats itself until we learn the lessons needed to change our path. This is what one of the most relevant laws of Karma tells us.
Now, the question is undoubtedly: how do we know if we are on the right track? How can we know that we are not making the same mistakes as in the past?
The law of change is also the law of responsibility. Every step we take, every choice we make must be made with kindness and humility. Without hurting others, without even going against our needs and essences. Something like this is performed by self-knowledge.
Because only when we are able to understand ourselves will we set in motion those changes that will build our true destiny.
11. Patience and reward
The laws of Karma remind us that all rewards require initial effort. Nothing happens just because, nothing happens just because fate or luck want it. So, and although these magical coincidences can sometimes happen, these events respond to an initial cause.
We are the architects of our present, we who will build our future. Something like this implies effort, implies will and determination.
The greatest gratification is the one that finally comes after combining patience and perseverance.
12. Law of importance and inspiration
The value of something is the direct result of the energy and intention that is put into it. Each personal contribution is also a contribution to the whole. Mediocre contributions have no impact on the whole, they are so common that they cancel each other out.
We must therefore know how to involve ourselves in everything we do, to give us that inspiration that gives birth to great dreams and that sooner or later makes them come true.
If we give importance to each proposed goal e we invest the best personal resources in that purpose, the magic will happen. Destiny will come true.
Whether you believe in karmic philosophy or not, the truth is that sometimes it seems that the only thing we can be sure of is that spring or winter will return but, in truth, as Voltaire said, "it is no longer surprising to be born twice and none; because everything in nature is resurrection ”.
Laws of Karma are life lessons that help us be better.
Image courtesy of vsanandhakrishna
