How can I understand the concept of Karma ?

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How can I understand the concept of Karma ? Topics in Hinduism

2 points | Post submitted by Durgi 1095 days ago | 4 comments | viewed 696 times

Everyone talks about Karma. We use that word quite liberally in the 21st century.

Links to information, also is much appreciated.

ichat1094 days ago | +1 points

(Disclaimer: In my answer, the word "Hinduism" is used to mean "Sanatana Dharma", and "religion" is used to mean "dharma".)
Karma cannot be understood in isolation. First one needs to understand what is the dharma for him/her-self. The one simple idea of Hinduism, if one asks you to explain the uniqueness of this religion, is that - "do your karma as per your dharma". If you do not, then the accumulation of the karmic debt causes the Self to take rebirths, and the cycle goes on. Again, another important point is - dharma is not a fixed set of rules or protocols to be followed by an individual. It is a live, vibrant, responsive set of behavioral characteristics of a person that does not operate in isolation from the events around him/her.
The challenge today is people want to know what are the behavioral standards I am measured against - but there is no "guru" available who will provide that guidance effectively, and neither do we want to ascribe complete trust in our guru's instructions. So the challenge remains.
To look for a simple solution - a faint light-beacon within the dark room - look back at nature. Look back at the fundamentals of our life processes. Look back at how a society can live in harmony keeping all the cogs and wheels in motion without friction. Look back at how the smallest unit of the society - the family - can function with love and care as main goals, and shun selfishness. The perspective should be : nature > society > family > self while trying to prioritize the goals, and self > family > society > nature while trying to prioritize the efforts/contributions.
Your dharma will be clear, and so will be your karma.
Best of luck!

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Durgi1094 days ago | +0 points

Thank you for an elaborate explanation. Much needed for me to understand the concept.
"""The perspective should be : nature > society > family > self while trying to prioritize the goals, and self > family > society > nature while trying to prioritize the efforts/contributions."""
This is a simple explanation which is mighty clear where ones priority should be.

I, as a law abiding , peace loving ( minding my own business types) human, carry on with my life following the above principles as explained by you.
Then, I hit hurdles - fellow humans who cause havoc - minor to major.
Minor, I am ready to ignore and carry on. Major, I cannot. I pile up anger and want to attack back - physically or emotionally.
What happens to my Karma debt now?

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ichat1078 days ago | +1 points

Karma is not only the actions you take or do, but also the thoughts that you have in your mind around the actions that you could have/would have/should have taken. Each thought counts. The resultant karma-phala may be more from actions, and comparatively less for mere thoughts, but it is there for sure.
The way out from this easy trap of Maya is to gain full control on your thoughts and emotions, essentially on your mind. A mind in absolute peace with the world is a mind that does not wander around idle thoughts, and does not create "negative karma" so to speak in Anglo-Indian lingo.
How to get it? Sadhana. Meditation. For an effective meditation, you need to install your Ishta at the center of your consciousness. It need not be any Deva or Devi rupa only, it can even be just a speck of light far, far away. And your mind needs to travel to the source. Only with a mind that is perfectly calm and still like a midnight pond do you get the perfect reflection of the moon. And I do not have to tell you Who the moon adorns - even His reflection will be there on the pond along with the moon.

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Durgi1075 days ago | +0 points

Many thanks Sir, for taking time to explain this. I will try to control the thoughts and that needs attention. Cos actions can be controlled, much better than thoughts.
I do meditate and hope to get better.
Jai Shri Ram

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