Quest for True Karma: Negating the Misconceptions

Karma is a word that we don't translate. Its basic meaning is simple action. But because the word Karma carries so many implications the English word action can't carry its luggage. So we have simply airlifted the original word into our vocabulary. But when we try unpacking the connotations the word carries now that it has arrived in everyday usage, we find that most of its luggage has gotten mixed up in transit. In the eyes of most Americans, karma functions like fate — bad fate, at that: an inexplicable, unchangeable force coming out of our past, for which we are somehow vaguely responsible and powerless to fight. "I guess it's just my karma," I've heard people sigh when bad fortune strikes with such force that they see no alternative to resigned acceptance.

Karma is an activity, which all human beings have to perform until death releases them from this body prison. Man cannot live for a moment without doing Karma. Even while he is sleeping, the breathing process becomes his Karma. Karma is the cause of man's bondage to the cycle of birth and death. The life has been given to man to sort out the consequences of the previous

Karma did, in many past lives, as well as in the present life. Man cannot be liberated, until and unless he has sorted out and neutralized all effects of past and present Karma, and bringing the Karmic balance to nil.

The theory of karma harps on the principle that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. Every time we think or do something we create a cause and this in turn will sooner or later bring its effect and this cyclical cause and effect generates the concept of world, birth, and reincarnation.

The law of karma is sometimes stated as "What you sow so shall you reap".

Content: The concept of Karma has been prevalent in Indian culture since time immemorial. However, what colloquially is referred to as karma is not karma but a misapprehension of the same (Prati-karma). To elucidate, when we say “I” am thinking or “I” am doing, we keep the “I” included in the expression. Karma ideally takes place only when the “I” is removed and/or our ego is obliterated from the action. Karma can only be performed by a person who has reached the strata of perfect awareness and complete spiritual consciousness. The “Prati-Karma” happens when we involve our ego in our actions and accomplishments. To understand this vital element of “Karma”, we must completely recognize our existence.

When does ‘Karma’ take place?

When ego turns into Love and when “me” gets swapped by “you”, only then you get engrossed in absolute devotion and karma takes place. When you are completely aware of yourself, and about your each breath, you become out of fear, and inhibition, Karma takes place. When every part of your body dissipates love and devotion, Karma takes place. The actions that are driven by love and devotion are Karma. On the contrary, actions that are driven by lust and expectations are Prati-Karma. To put it differently, Karma happens when you let yourself go; and you become free from ego.

Understanding body functions: An example

To exemplify, when you are asleep, your body mechanism is in dormant state. You cannot realize it but it is there. Our body system processes every diminutive demand of it to keep working. But we pride of every big and positive actions performed by us. We create nothing but Prati-Karma. Obliterating ego and staying in that state is called true “karma”.

Have we reached our destination?

Secondly, the contradiction between thoughts and destiny will move away only when you realize that Karma and destiny are colligated. Given that, thoughts also determine the destiny. We need to be aware of the existing discrepancy here. So far, whatever has been considered your actions are merely your reactions (Prati-Karma). Until this point of time, whatever we have done are guided by our surroundings, by the people who surround us, the books we read, and the news we hear. We perceive and respond with our sense organs. This is not real karma. Rather, these are our reactions; not to be confused with our natural instincts. Since birth, whatever actions we take are the outcomes of actions taken by other people and we somewhat robotically reciprocate or react. What we think as our actions are actually the price we pay for our existence.

Watch your thoughts

Try to get aware of your actions and the deep underlying motives. Watch your thoughts. The thoughts that originate in your state of self–awareness actually become your destiny. You first need to break the manacles of Prati-Karma. You must come out with your real inner persona. You must understand yourself. Be conscious of your limitations and capabilities. Only by knowing the real ourselves, we can achieve pure love coupled with ultimate devotion. Only then, Karma is realized and it brings our destiny to us, the human beings.

Men should do the actions without thinking of the fruits from it. By learning to balance the mind, body, and soul through awareness and becoming a conscious creator of your life, you can achieve healing of the past karmic lessons and release them from your cellular memory. This means you no longer need to live in the cycle of Karma and reincarnation, if you so choose. Create your reality based on what is true to you, not the ideas or concepts that we have been indoctrinated through history.