CONNECTION BETWEEM KARMA AND LIFE...

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEM KARMA AND LIFE?

Karma is a concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism that refers to the idea that actions in this life determine one's future destiny. The idea is that a person's current circumstances are the result of actions and decisions made in previous lives, and actions taken in this life will impact their future existence. Karma is often portrayed as a type of cosmic balance, where good actions are rewarded with good outcomes and bad actions are punished with bad outcomes. The concept of karma is meant to encourage moral behavior and discourage harmful actions. It is a fundamental belief in Eastern philosophy and remains an important part of many cultures and belief systems.

Life is Karma. Unfortunately, if the human race understood this truth, they would live with grace. Today, we live with greed, and we don’t just work to fulfil our need but we have desires and passions that make us crave till we reach our grave. The Ego thinks – ‘I am responsible for my life. I can make the impossible possible.’ What we don’t realize is that every action of ours controls our life. We might have performed some actions in the distant past, even in a previous life but they will not leave us. They will unfold as circumstances in our life and create challenges, even problems that will stop us from our dreams.

So often, we see people cry. They look up at the sky and question ‘Why?’ Why do bad things happen to good people? Somebody lost their job. ‘Why me?’ they question. Another is diagnosed with cancer. ‘Why is God unfair?’ is the question. Still, another loses a dear one. ‘Why did death have to choose my life partner?’ that person asks. We human beings have questions after questions, as we watch the drama of life unfold. We don’t have answers. We don’t realize that everything that is happening in this world, is unfolding as per the Divine Law of Karma. Life does not unfold as per the wish of a God who is sitting in a distant heaven and passing orders as to what should happen in our life. It would be impossible to govern the world like this. Our life is the result of Karma.

If everything depends on Karma, then are we mere puppets? If everything is pre-destined as per our previous actions, then what is the point of this life? Those who understand the Law of Karma, realize that just as there is a past Karma that controls our present circumstances, our present Karma or actions will control our future destiny. Everything is not predestined. But our past Karma is recorded in the diary of our life, and it causes our life circumstances, good or bad to appear. One day the body will die, but our Karma is not over. Karma does not belong to the body. The body is an instrument that performs actions and even experiences the results of our Karma. But the owner of the Karma is ME – the Mind and Ego. It is the subtle ME, that the Mind and Ego experience the rewards of its past Karma or is punished for its sins. One day, the body will die. But the ME, the Mind and Ego, carries the Karma forward into a new life. It is Karma that controls the continuous cycle of birth, lift, death and rebirth. Everything in the cycle of life is controlled by Karma. The Karma may be our past Karma which is recorded and unfolds in our life, or it may be our present Karma, which is a result of our thoughts, our free will, and our actions.

Together, our past Karma and present Karma, become the deeds that act as the seeds that will result in our destiny. We control our own life. Through our actions, our Karma, we are the master of our destiny. Even our prayers to God, or deeds of love, compassion and kindness, become our good Karma that will result in our happiness. So also, our bad Karma, our sins, become the reason for our misery and sorrow. Not just today, Karma controls everything that will unfold in the future. Karma controls our life.

In conclusion, Karma is a complex and deep-rooted concept that has been a part of Eastern philosophy for thousands of years. It offers a way to understand the interconnectedness of all things and the impact that our actions have on the world around us. By embracing the principles of Karma, we can strive to live our lives in a way that is moral and just, knowing that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our lifetime. Whether one believes in reincarnation or not, the idea of Karma can serve as a reminder to act with kindness, compassion, and integrity, making the world a better place for all.