TM - 105 - What does "karma" mean to you?

[on_holy_ground]

Karma is a concept that is central to many religions that were first formed in India, and includes the entire cycle of cause and effect. It incorporates all that a person has done, is doing, and will do throughout their existence. The effects of the actions that each person takes ripples through their lives and causes other experiences, therefore making each person responsible for his or her own life. This also includes the idea of reincarnation in those religions who believe in such things. So, basically it effects not just a person’s current life, but also all the lives they have led before, and all those that they might lead in the future.

Many people confuse karma with fate, when in reality the two have nothing to do with each other. Fate says that outside forces determine a person’s destiny, while karma says that each person’s destiny is their own to make. The effects that happen can also be alleviated by other actions, and so are not truly fated in any way, shape, or form.

As for myself personally, I believe that karma is summed up best for me by a single sentence that was spoken by Christ in The Sermon on the Mount.

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." ~ Matthew 7:12

Comments

[a--nightingale.livejournal.com]

You know, Monsieur, I completely let that passage slip my mind when I was writing on Karma myself. I wish I had thought of that...*chuckles* I based my reply on the Book of Job.

OOC: || INCREDIBLY well-written <333 I'm sorry. I simply had to fan-girl you.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles softly* I read your reply, and thought your use of the scripture was very astute actually.