Tune Up Your Karma!

Published on September 07, 2007 02:12 PM by Stephanie 

Karma.  It’s not just a Culture Club song. It’s what makes the world-go-‘round.  The concept of Karma has recently been the focus of the popular sitcom, “My Name is Earl” airing on NBC. Earl is getting ready to start it’s third season on September 27th with a special 60 minute episode! If you have never seen this show before, I highly recommend you check it out. The first season is out on DVD and season 2 is released on September 25th, but you can pre-order a copy now from Amazon.com!

 

But back on topic… Recently, I had a friendly argument with a friend about the legitimacy of karma.  He believes that it’s just another “fence me in” attempt to keep people from being, well, people!   So what do you think about Karma?  Want to know more about it…read on.

 

What is karma anyway?  Karma is the law of cause and effect, and it is the foundation of various Eastern religious and spiritual belief systems.  For the science folk, it’s like this, “what goes up must come down”, but in a more spiritual/ethereal sense.

 

Technically, karma is a philosophy, not a religion,  But if you’re basing your existence on the idea that the consequences, (both good and bad), of your actions and thoughts will come back to you sooner or later, then why not make it your personal religion?! 

 

Is karma all it’s cracked up to be?   Well, let me first preface my response with this, I am not a member of the clergy, and I do not have the magic mirror on the wall to tell me who is the fairest of them all.   But, I think we all can agree that deeds usually do not go unpaid or unpunished.   Good things happen to good people and bad things can happen to good people.  That’s my belief, but let me give you a more text book answer:  

 

The general philosophy behind karma is that if you lead a compassionate and kind life, you will reap the rewards in this lifetime or in a future lifetime.  If you are malicious or cruel, eventually you may become victim to similar cruelty, and karma may come back to bite you in the rump.  In short, why not lead a life that is filled with compassion and love?   Or do you just like being Joan Collins from Dynasty or Simon Cowell from American Idol?  Even they can put a little love in their hearts!

 

Live with a clear conscience; follow your intuition and instincts.  You will soon realize inner peace in a world that does not consist of good or bad, but of values and lessons on the road trip of life.

 

Here are a couple of tips to help you prepare for future lifetimes:

 

· Face issues: no matter how severe the situation, you must face the facts, it's the inevitable. 

 

·  Embrace it head on!  Clear the path now for peace later.

 

·  Challenge each lifetime: Challenge yourself each day, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  This will strengthen your soul bringing wisdom and growth.

    

 

 

 

What’s your philosophy on karma – Yea?  Nay?  Maybe?  Got some good karma stories?  Share ‘em below!   

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# -maxine said on September 8, 2007 4:45 PM:

You got it right in that karma is the law of cause and effect – what goes around comes around – It is not a religious energy it is factual. No matter who you are how your belief system works you cannot get past or away from your karma.  Everything you say think and do is a cause.  There is no such thing as bad or good karma (what might be good for you might be bad for me) karma is the action you put out into the universe it is also the effect you receive back. It is possible to change your karma and make your life better by making causes that enhance your life rather than causes that will cause you pain and suffering.  There is an up side to suffering as it clears your karma – like paying your dues - it is said that “the joy is in the struggle.”  Struggle and suffering help to change and clear your life, your karma.  

Karma gives one the opportunity to be independent take life into your own hands and make life the way you want it to be.  There is no one to blame for any of your problems it is your karma (you) that made the problem in the first place. There is no one to thank but yourself when things go well as it was your actions (causes) that brought you to the point in life you are at.  So many people say “why me” when something uncomfortable happens to them, well, it is you because of the actions or causes you made in this lifetime or even perhaps in a past lifetime – or stretching it a bit because of the causes your parents made.  Family karma – if you hate your mother your daughter will hate you, it is somewhat that simple.  Being our karmic connection to our mother is said to be the strongest what happens if you do not like your mother?  You cannot change her only the way you interact with her, this interaction is a cause that will change the nature of the relationship.  If you however cannot get past the situation than walking away from it might be the way to go, clearing your karmic connection with her.  

Karma is not a way to fence you in, religion on the other hand is very controlling and full of guilt.  You asked why not make karma your religion??? that is impossible to do as karma just “is”.  It is the basis of life, it is taking responsibility for your life, and how can you make your life a religion?

One does not have to believe there is karma for it to be a reality.  Every cause has an effect and in turn the effect becomes a new cause and so we have our life –

Namu myoho renge kyo – devotion to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound.

This is a Buddhist chant.

-maxine ext.7791

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