Recently I was asked about the concept of Karma. We often refer to Karma in casual conversation, even if we do not practice Buddhism or Hinduism, the two belief systems Westerners most commonly associate with the concept.
So, what is Karma?
Very generally speaking, it is cause and effect. Actions, intentions and one’s inner nature in this life work in rather intangible ways to influence an individual’s circumstances in their next life.
The concept has been expressed many different ways across cultures and spiritual practices. Those who have been exposed to the Bible are likely familiar with a phrase from Galatians 6:7 (KJV): “….for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”.
There is “Good” Karma and “Bad” Karma. In a nutshell, “Good” Karma is when you do good things in this life and thereby improve your circumstances in the next life. “Bad” Karma works in reverse. Do bad things in this life and suffer the consequences in the next life.
I will only be discussing “Bad” Karma in this post.
I am not a practitioner of any organized religion.
The information I am sharing below differs in some aspects from some traditional Eastern religious teachings.
My insights were given to me by my spirit guide, Charles.
According to Charles, a key element in how Karma is created and “erased” has to do with intention. I never really thought about that until after several years of working with spirits.
I always thought that if you did something – anything – that harmed someone, you’d automatically be destined to suffer the consequences, whatever they may be.
But that isn’t always the case.
Karma, to the best of my knowledge, is not always a reciprocal arrangement.
One misdeed could trigger multiple, less severe (but no less meaningful) “paybacks” with the outcome of making the recipient a better person. (Not all “Bad” Karma results in what would be considered punitive consequences).
Another thing I’ve learned from Charles about Karma is that we can “work it off” both in the physical world and in the spirit realm. This differs from what I previously understood, which is that our personal “Karma Train” pulls into the station in the next life, or even a life after that.
Final thoughts on Karma: Intention is often the key to creating Karma, good or bad.
Actions themselves are sometimes secondary.
The act of forgiveness goes a long way towards eliminating someone else’s “Karmic Debt”.
So… Be good to one another!
When you haven’t been good to someone, even unintentionally, seek their forgiveness.
And when you have been wronged, strive to forgive.
Forgiving someone allows you to move forward, away from the past, rather than continually dancing around it.
Please feel welcome to comment below.
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©2020 Jeff McKeehan – All Rights Reserved
Photo: Domino Effect by Kurt:S
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very interesting!!!!!
so. if I go to a physic and he says ‘ you will care for your mother when she gets old’
then what I will do helps me in the next life,??? but
why I needed to do this in the first place, is what I don’t understand
so obviously at some point, I did something in a PAST life, whereas I needed to make
up for it in this life, .
all that said, I love your giving these comments. whatever you write about is always
fascinating!! thanks??
.
I liked that you touched on karmic debt. There is also karmic credit…it is possible to build up good karma to balance out future bad karma. You always want to stay in the positive and there are times you can “cash in” your positive karma but do so at your own risk cause you don’t know if you’ll need it later.
I like this idea of a karmic “savings account”, Stephen! There have been so many instances in my life where I felt justice was absent – (my theme song when I was a kid was “it’s not fair!”) If karma can actually even the score… well, that idea appeals to the justice-seeker in me! ~♥~