THE LAW OF KARMA

The Law of Karma is a fundamental part of teaching and the legacy of Hinduism and Buddhism. The teachings of Buddhist philosophy concentrate on the idea of the individual as a combination of physical and mental forces or energies.


“Karma is a Law in itself...It operates in its own field without the intervention of an external independent ruling agency.”
(A Manual of Buddhism)


Karma is a Sanskrit word which means “indebtedness to yourself”. When you constantly repeat certain situations, actions or experiences and wonder why the results are always the same, or ask yourself “why me, what have I done to deserve this?” it is because your soul - the True Self - is in need of learning and desires to be “educated” on the spiritual level.

Circumstances created by you provide learning experiences for your soul which are necessary to relieve karmic energies.


Karma is caused by your intent that lies behind actions and can only be relieved by your understanding.


In other words, if our intention and actions are designed to harm someone, (this applies to humans, animals and nature), you will be harmed in some way.


If you are spreading malicious gossip, malicious gossip will be spread about you, or problems will appear in the form of undesirable or unpleasant situations in your life. This will happen to you until the lesson is learnt, or understanding gained.


This Law is also called The Law of Reward and Punishment. Karma is created whenever we act with intention. Motives and intention behind our words, actions and deeds are the foundations of this Law.


Reward and Punishment:


“Reward: something given in return for something done.”
“Punishment: the penalty imposed.”
(Webster New World Dictionary)


If you believe, or don't believe in this concept you are correct. The Law itself does not recognise this as such. Being neutral and impersonal, it does not “understand”, recognise or accept our earthly terminology.


The Law operates on energy levels and detects only frequencies. It works in perfect unison with the Law of Attraction which “delivers the goods on order” All positives and negatives (by our perception) emitted into the Universe – interact with universal energies, bringing them into being in the form of reality. Positive actions and deeds based on the universal sub-laws; love, happiness, compassion, kindness, charity, tolerance, generosity.....will bring desirable results in the form of opportunities, good luck or miracles which are recognized by us as rewards.


Negative actions and deeds based on hatred, greed, jealousy, cruelty....will bring undesirable consequences in the form of adversity which will greatly or sometimes severely complicate our lives – this application of the Law is regarded as punishment.


Application of good or bad deeds and actions toward humans, animals and nature will result in similar consequences, as everything is a part of the Universe and a part of One-another. (All is One – The Law of Oneness).


“Of a certainty the man who can see all creatures in himself and himself in all creatures knows no sorrow.”
(Isha Upanishad v. 6,7)


In situations where someone requires your help and you are perfectly able to assist, but refuse this denial of positive action will also result in undesirable repercussions. Ignorance, stupidity, negligence, lack of common sense or knowledge is no excuse.


“We inflict our own pain and misery.”
(Homer – Greek Epic Writer)
Circa 8th Century


The Bible also talks about reward and punishment.


Reward:” The Lord will bless you if you respect him and obey his Laws.”
(Psalm 128: 1)


“You give peace of mind to all who love your Laws.
Nothing can make them fail.”
(Psalm 119:165)


Punishment: “If you disobey me and my Laws and if you break our agreement I will punish you terribly and you will be ruined.... Then if you still refuse to obey me, I will punish you seven times for each of your sins.”
(Leviticus 26: 14, 15, 16, 18)


The Law of Karma applies to our deeds based on motive and intention, resulting in consequences for our past and present actions. Enforcement of this Law is essential, so we can decide what we must, or need to learn, in our life time. Through this learning process we gain wisdom.


“With wisdom you will learn what is right and honest and fair. Wisdom will control your mind and you will be pleased with knowledge.”
(Proverbs 2: 9, 10)


This Law is designed to teach you “a better way” as the disharmonious acts must be balanced in the future and it is necessary for the growth of your soul – your True Self – providing the foundation for the Law of Harmony.


“When you act contrary to the Universal Law, you experience instant Karma, energy coming back to you. It may not seem instant because of the slow vibrational field we are in, but in cosmic sense is immediate.”
(Stuart Wilde – Writer, Lecturer)


Summarising: the best way to deal with the Law of Karma is to gain understanding that you are responsible for creating the world around you, as well as your own reality.


Every lesson that we need to learn is like an inoculation: the pain may be sharp and the side effects may be long lasting but psychological, emotional and spiritual immunity, will last an entire life time.


“You will learn to see that in every situation there is a gift for you, an opportunity to learn, to become more complete, and to develop understanding, patience, compassion, self respect and self worth. Every experience in your life will take on greater meaning and purpose.”
(Dr. Laurel Clark – Astronaut - Space Shuttle Columbia)
1961 – 2003


 The Law of Karma is based on motives and intentions behind deeds and actions.

 Positive (good) deeds attract rewards (high frequency).

 Negative (bad) deeds attract punishment (low frequency).

 The Law provides learning opportunities for the soul.

 Punishment can be avoided through the application of wisdom.