Ask anyone about the meaning of karma, the answer would be in the context of fate, destiny, luck, what is written, pre-ordained, etc. The word has become overused and misunderstood. Karma is none of the above.
“At last, a book about karma that can be trusted,” said Indian-American physician, author and eloquent speaker, Deepak Chopra. The book he is referring to, recently released, was written by best-selling author and India’s modern- day mystic Sadhguru: Karma: A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny. It is flying off the shelves and has received great reviews from the press and notable celebrities.
Sadhguru claims that karma is none of the above and offers instead a new riveting light on what karma really is.
What karma is not a balance sheet of good deeds and virtues and that sooner or later, we pay for our sins. It is not a punishment-reward concept. Karma is far from our general belief. The misunderstanding arises from the fact that it is interpreted as fate, not allowing for the done deed that produces the result.
In Sanskrit, karma simply means action.
Your action, your responsibility. It is not a quid pro quo. It is an internal cycle generated by you. The true meaning of karma concentrates on the individual’s will to make things happen. We have heard of the theory of personal will, but regardless, we have been convinced that “what will be, will be.”
Sadhguru expresses hopefulness by reminding us of our own capacity to control what will be. We alone can draw the course of our lives.
The mystic puts us back in the driver’s seat instead of being back-seat passengers stricken with terror, victims of what might or will happen in our life. We are not victims of our own deeds or of what is written on our foreheads.
We are the drivers, we have the keys, we start the engine, we turn the wheel and we navigate the course of our journey through life. It is our action, our responsibility. Our own actions affect both our happiness and unhappiness.
Chopra, a sort of guru himself, comments: “I have never found a book that explains and solves the mystery of karma with the simplicity, clarity and hopefulness of this invaluable book”. Quite a testimonial, amongst many more.
However, the idea of responsibility can be burdensome.
How much easier it is to sit and wait for life to happen and blame it on destiny.
Responsibility implies that what happens to us is a result of our action. We are the only factor that decides our goals and the work it takes to reach them. It is within our power.
That is hard to swallow. How are we assured that we are empowered by karma? How can we change our lives? Does karma have an impact on health, memory, love, life, pain, and suffering? Do we have to take him at his word?
He has authored several books that were Nielsen and New York Times best sellers. Trusted by so many he must know and is able to convince his readers about the mystery of life which escapes all or most of us.
The new enlightened view by Sadhguru is a result of your action. Act, make it happen.
The ideas of karma first appeared in the old Hindu text, Regveda, before 1500 BC, with a limited meaning of ritual action, which it continued to hold in the early ritual dominant scriptures. Its philosophical state was extended in the later Upanishad period, circa 800 BC.
It is prominent in several Eastern religions, especially Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism.
In Buddhism actions that are performed or arise or originate without any bad intent are considered non-existent in karmic impact. Therefore, intent affects the individual in his life and the lives of others.
The good produces good effects on the actor while bad karma produces bad effects be it material, moral or emotional.
“Like deeds produce like effects” a philosophy adopted by Buddhism and its founder Siddharta Gautama in 566 BC, 2500 years ago, who was born to a Hindu family, therefore Buddhism originated from Hindu religious traditions. Buddha is a title meaning “the Enlightened One”.
Buddhism however has its own precepts. Its meaning, concept and scope varies from the numerous traditions that originated in India’s Hindu religion.
Hinduism did not develop from the teachings of a single founder. It has diverse traditions owing to its long history and continued development during the course of 3000 years.
With no one deity, God as Vishnu is the Supreme Enforcer of karma, acting as Sanctioner or Overseer to numerous supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.
Hinduism turned excessively violent towards the newer Buddhism, destroyed Buddhist statues, killed Buddhist followers, (830 AD-966 AD) in the name of surviving the original Hinduism, which now has over a billion followers.
There is clearly a concept of karma in Abrahamic religions, implying good deeds will be rewarded with good results.
What is karma anyway? Is it a theory, a model, a paradigm, a metaphor or a metaphysical viewpoint? If used wisely to enhance activity it can be a source of enlightenment, but if used as identity it becomes a source of bondage.
Whatever has been determined in your life has been determined by you, unconsciously.
“What you think, you become. What you fear, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”
Buddha (563-483 BC)
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