Turning Karma Around

In recent times, the word karma has become a part of everyday vocabulary. People are increasingly using it to talk about the importance of good deeds and having good morals.

However, many people are still not clear about what the word really means. They confuse it with destiny, luck, or thinking others deserve bad Karma, some even wish bad karma on others, or think luck is just good Karma….

If you listen to a spiritual guru and do some research on eastern spiritual texts, you can have all your doubts cleared. Frankly, karma is a simple concept.

Karma means choice and action. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. In truth, karma is neither good nor bad. It just is what it is. The type of action you take during experiencing Karma (life as it is), is what you can control and experience by choice.

Karma is ‘your lot’ to deal with…Not anyone’s fault or creation made for you to suffer because you deserve it, not a destiny you are unable to work with or change.

It’s what you do with ‘it’ that counts. Where you are born, into what family, rich, poor, black, white, yellow, green, no relatives, religious, criminal, ill at health whatever the circumstances are – there is a choice.

My life had an abusive upbringing, a multitude of complications, difficulties and extremities including nearly dying due to illness, brain surgery, years of suffering and physical disability. All his has taught me much about Karma. Through research, going to groups, workshops, searching, reading, studying and using the tools of professionals like psychologists and therapists,  I can confidently conclude there is always a choice..

“It’s not what happens to you, its what you do with it “

Karma to me, is about growth, transformation.  If you go back to the law of karma, you will be reminded that your life can be your own making by choices.

If you want to advance on the path of spirituality, move forward and grow as a person, community member and child of earth, the responsibility of that entirely rests on your shoulders. Waiting for something to happen or someone to give you a push may get you nowhere? If you want it, your best taking the necessary action to ensure it! It’s as simple as that.

I wanted to be happy, healthy and in a successful relationship. “Fat Chance” I thought most of my life….However, after “doing the work”  I have been enjoying a healthy and joyous relationship for 11 years now, and feel joy, mostly, in every breath.

It’s up to you to do the work.

“If it is to be, it’s up to me”, was a favorite of mine, also,“Your rewards are in proportion to your contribution”

 Next time you want to complain about ‘this’ or ‘that’ not working, or always being crap, or it’s too hard – ask yourself – ‘what you have done to change it?’

I ask you – what patterns are you still not breaking to change the Karma? What fears are holding you back?

Let’s take an example to understand this better. Meditation is often said to be the most powerful practice that can help you grow in ways you can’t even imagine. Now, if you meditate regularly, you are bound to experience this growth. If, on the other hand, you are wait for something or someone to make you meditate, well, you might keep waiting all your life!

We humans often like to complicate things, we have muddied the meaning, relevance, and significance of karma in our lives. It’s time we go back to the basics and understand karma for the simple (yet powerful) concept it is.

Doing so will help you take charge of your life and build it the way you see as they expression of the you are.