People have struggled to understand karma from ancient times, including how it works, its effects, and its consequences. It’s never an easy road to take on. Its impacts might be immediate or delayed, transferring to the next birth or after numerous births.
There are five fundamental truths in existence: the Supreme Being, the soul, the body (material nature), Kaal (time), and karma (action). Material nature and karma are not eternal; karma’s consequences might be quite ancient, almost eternal, but not eternal. However, its impact can be mitigated through spiritual practice.
When good or bad deeds are done, they will invariably result in their respective outcomes. However, its results can be altered by the practice of sanyyam – a triode of dhyan (attention), dharna (concentration), and samadhi (absorption); japa (chanting); and daan. (charity).
We must do some action in order to maintain our life in this mundane world—even prioritising our thoughts is included in our actions. So, it requires a great amount of mindfulness while reacting to our thoughts and performing actions, which may lead to devious consequences.
A realised soul constantly listens to his or her inner self—the soul, the conscience, which always offers oneself a sign to guide you on the correct road, or intuition, and does not warn you of acts and ideas that might go too far and have negative consequences. One should be conscious of one’s activities and ensure that they will lead to long-term growth, even if it comes with the cost of some current unpleasantness. Things that will have negative results in the long run should be avoided at the cost of some momentary pleasure.
People are commonly observed feeding grains to birds, fish, and cattle as a gesture of charity, as well as hosting outreach public feasts. It is the activity of cultivating a grateful mindset.
Karmas are categorised into three distinct groups: satvik karma (auspicious action), tamasic karma (inauspicious action), and rajasic karma (mixed karma), which may be further broken into three sub-categories: sanchit (accumulated), bhavishya (to experience in the future), and prarabdha (already commenced). Only an embodied Jeeva, the soul, can perform the actions; action is inextricably linked with the body. As a result, all further births or incarnations of the jeeva in this life, ranging from a human being to an insect, would be determined by the karma of the present life.
The Science of Karma
The science of karma is fairly apparent and straightforward. Let me give you a few examples. If you plant a guava seed, can you anticipate growing it into a mango tree or a bush of flower? Obviously not. You must be hoping it will grow into a lovely guava tree. So is karma: it reverts statically according to the intention of the doers while performing the deeds. An action performed with good intent results in good, while an action undertaken with evil intent results in trouble and misery. That is why it is frequently stated that karma should be done purposefully and with total consciousness.
However, many people are skeptical when they witness wicked people celebrating a happy life and good people suffering in agony, but we fail to see how those individuals reacted to their actions in their past. Karma is similar to a mutual investment. What one has today was invested a long time ago. Some people use good karmic investment when they are in need or going through a difficult time in their lives and expect an instant return that is completely irrelevant. They have to survive the consequences of their past karma.
There are some principles of Karma.
1. Karma is non-transferable.
2. In order to achieve the intended consequence, the action must be deliberate.
3. Karmic experiences will never be deliberately erased on their own.
4. A modest act of compassion or malice may go a long way and bring a huge change in someone’s life.
5. Having a grateful mindset may have a significant impact on your actions.
How to Get Rid of the Negative Karmic Experience
Karmic experiences will never change on their own – they need a wholehearted spiritual involvement in oneself. If you take your house on the weekend, you will find it cluttered, unclean, and unfamiliar to sustain. Can you imagine it becoming neat and clean by itself? Obviously not. You must put in a lot of effort to order things by sweeping, dusting, and rearranging furniture and bedsheets. So is the negative karma. A realised soul always understands who knows the right path and practices Sanyam, acts of compassion (services), jap (remembering to ‘Daata’), and works in the direction of achieving perfection of knowledge.
