If there is one maxim that should become the basis of one’s actions throughout life, it would surely be compassion: do not do to others what you do not want done to you.
This is a very old saying, from Confucius, but it is also very current, although unfortunately, very few people actually put it into practice. This idea is, in a way, the basis of karma.
What is karma really?
Karma is a word that comes from Sanskrit and is present in different Dharmic religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Today this word has become popular but very few people know what it really refers to.
Karma indicates actions, both physical, verbal and mental. These actions leave traces or impressions, even if they are very subtle, which later generate results or consequences in the person. In a certain way, karma is something equivalent to Newton’s law that indicates that “every action has a reaction.”
Therefore, when we think, speak or act, we unleash a force that will react in proportion. Thus, there is not bad or good karma but a kind of judge of our actions, but we should not understand it as a punishment that condemns us to a predetermined destiny but rather as an opportunity for learning. In fact, karma also symbolizes responsibility for our actions and emphasizes the importance of being aware that these have consequences.
Each person is free to take the path he wants, he can choose between doing good or evil, but the world will return to him the forces he has set in motion.
Of course, karma is a much more complex concept and is not part of the object of study of Psychology, even so, many of the laws that are found at its base can leave us with valuable lessons for everyday life, they can help us see the world with different eyes and, above all, they can promote personal happiness from a committed and conscious position.
The laws of karma: What do they teach us?
1. Great Law
This is a basic principle that refers to the popular wisdom “ he who sows the wind, reaps the whirlwind ”. What we send out into the universe will be returned to us, but ten times more powerful. This law encourages us to reflect on our thoughts, words and behaviours because, in one way or another, they all have an impact on our well-being. Even our way of thinking determines the way we react to situations and, consequently, what we will get out of them.
2. Law of Responsibility
If something bad happens to you, it means that there is something wrong with you because what surrounds us is simply an expression of what we reflect. This law reminds us that we should not complain uselessly but rather assume our share of responsibility for what happens to us and ask ourselves what we can do to change the situation. Taking responsibility for our actions is not about blaming ourselves, but rather about adopting a proactive stance that leads us to where we really want to go.
3. Law of Connection
In the universe everything is interconnected, so any action, no matter how inconsequential or trivial it may seem to us, will have repercussions. This is a law closely linked to the Butterfly Effect, as it indicates that each action we undertake leads us in one direction and takes us away from another. It tells us that each step is important and that we must pay attention to each thought because these can bring us closer or further away from our goal, even if we do not realize it at first.
4. Law of Change
This law is closely linked to a popular saying that says: “man is the only animal that hits the same stone twice .” It tells us that history repeats itself until we are able to learn the lesson and change course. That is why many people find themselves caught up in negative and/or self-destructive patterns that are repeated continuously. The good news is that it is in our hands to break this vicious circle, learning from our mistakes, growing and moving forward.
5. Law of Focus
You can’t think about two things at once, so it’s best to take things one step at a time. When we try to take on too much, we not only lose focus and waste more energy unnecessarily, but we also open the door to insecurity and stress because we lose our bearings. An ancient Roman proverb referred to this law in a certain way: “Whoever goes slowly, arrives far and surely.”
6. Law of Humility
This law also takes us back to an old popular saying, “If you don’t want soup, you get two cups.” It tells us that if we are not able to accept things, they will continue to bother us, so it urges us to accept changes. In fact, accepting is the first step to change or to heal; if we do not accept the existence of a problem or something that disturbs us, we will never be able to solve it. However, this law goes a step further to tell us that we must accept from a humble attitude, not from arrogance or superiority.
7. Law of Growth
Wherever you go, you will be there. At first glance it may seem like a truism, but the truth is that many people change places and things, only to find themselves caught up in the same vicious circle again because they have not changed their bad habits and thought patterns. However, any change begins within ourselves. Buddha had already said: “It is easier to wear slippers than to carpet the world.”
As you can see, these are laws that even have their equivalent in popular wisdom and, if we apply them, they can have a very positive impact on our daily lives and our well-being. Basically, it is about understanding that our words, thoughts and actions have consequences, which also means that it is in our hands to achieve that state of happiness and tranquility that we so desire.
Reference:
(2013) 12 Little Known Laws of Karma (That Will Change Your Life) In: Social Consciousness.
Theresa S. Haywood says
Thank you