Karma: Instructions for Use

Karma: Instructions for Use

Karma It's a term that entered the common vocabulary in our country not very long ago. Until the mid-1980s, very few people in Italy had heard this strange word.

To date, thanks to TV series , TV shows and extremely popular songs, more or less everyone has heard of the word “karma” at least once.

It must be said, however, that usually words, habits and trends who suddenly become popular fail to make themselves fully known.

It seems like a paradox: great popularity diffuses the simple meaning of what it conveys, but somehow hides its depths. So let's see below to understand something more about the infamous Karma.

What is Karma?

Let's start by trying to understand what Karma is through the word itself: “karma” comes from the Sanskrit language and can be translated as “ completed action ”.

It is a concept strongly linked to Hinduism , the great and ancient religion that developed throughout the East starting from the Indian peninsula.

In short, Karma refers to one of the Universal Laws that govern our reality: the law of cause and effect.

These universal laws, as is known, are present in most of the mystical traditions and also, as in this case, in the major religions.

There Universal Law of Cause and Effect It's simple: every cause has an effect. It follows that when we become aware of the causes, we also begin to understand the effects they will have on our lives.

Karma is therefore the Hindu translation of this Universal Law, a awareness which reminds everyone that you will only reap what you sow.

That said, it is quite clear that Karma is central to the Hindu religion precisely because of its fundamental role in the belief in reincarnation .

In search of samsara

The Western mind often and willingly confuses with Eastern concepts fundamentals and it is good to make some clarifications in order to avoid misunderstandings.

First of all, Karma is not something apotropaic: it is not applied as if it were a " behaving badly brings bad luck ", as it has been translated in the popular Western world.

Also because it would enter into the difficult question of understanding what is good and evil and the related implications. traditional Indian culture Instead, we are more concerned with concepts such as Dharma and samsara.

The Dharma It consists of one's natural inclinations, individual tendencies that should be in a harmonious relationship with the Universal Dharma.

It follows that man's primary purpose should be to live in harmony with oneself and with the Universe. This also helps us avoid another misunderstanding: Karma has nothing to do with nihilism and fatalism.

In fact, there is no judgment or destiny already written, but the awareness that when you performs an action there will be effects that will return in our lives: if the action taken is in harmony with the Universe and with one's own path, the effects will be beneficial.

Benefits of what kind? Another typically Western misunderstanding: one immediately thinks that the karmic system it's a kind of lottery in which material rewards come if you behave correctly.

In the Hindu religion, the concept that we are in the world in order to fulfill our purpose is central. Immortal Self , getting rid of all that is in excess.

The fundamental idea is therefore to abandon the world and realize only that which goes beyond it.

The sa ṃsāra it is in fact the cycle of death and rebirth which, translated from Sanskrit, means precisely “flowing together”.

This cycle is often referred to as a wheel of reincarnation that will continue to turn until one reaches Enlightenment, which leads one out of samsara.

By following one's Karma, therefore, it will be possible reincarnation after reincarnation to escape that river of eternal reincarnations and finally pass to a higher plane of existence.

It is clear that the concepts of good and evil would lend too many philosophical implications, the concept of "harmony" instead is somehow more precise. He who is in harmony with the universe produces Positive Karma Whoever is out of balance with the universe or with his own path accumulates negative Karma.

Those who will not become aware of this In principle , they will have to spend more time and more lives in the wheel of samsara and this will lead to delaying their liberation to the higher planes of existence.

Can you influence Karma?

Let's start, contrary to typical custom, by immediately giving the answer to the title above: Yes, it is possible to influence Karma .

In fact when for a long time the Negative Karma If it remains inactive, it tends to "crumble" little by little. It is therefore not a piece of diamond that remains unchanged over time.

This highlights that it is also possible to influence it through mental and behavioral actions that develop Positive Karma while reducing the negative one.

First of all, you need to become aware that the Karma system exists and that by operating in an unbalanced way, negative Karma develops. operating in a harmonious manner instead it will be reduced.

Once you grasp this fundamental concept, you must learn from the mistakes of the past and transcend them. If you continue along the same path, it's clear that the result will always be the same.

It is therefore necessary make a complete turnaround from the mistakes of the past which have generated negative Karma.

Here another typically oriental concept is introduced: the detachment . This shouldn't be taken literally, but rather as a good habit of thinking before speaking and acting.

The whirlwind of emotions cannot be left to itself like a runaway horse , you have to take the reins of all that is instinctive and become aware that you belong to another world.

What binds us to this world is therefore a chain And it's not good for us. This is true detachment. To achieve these results, you'll need to work hard, including breathing exercises, meditation, contemplation, and reflection.

Another way to reduce your negative Karma is to offer yourself to the needs of others: Compassion , the ability to feel the difficulties of others, is undoubtedly a very effective tool for rebalancing one's Karma.