Is there karma? The 12 Laws of Karma

The idea that the actions of a human being (especially those related to ethics and morals) lead the individual to experiencing results consistent with them is a very common component of religions that spread throughout the world. balloon. Without going any further, Jesus himself, in the Bible, makes a similar postulation: "In the same way that you judge, so you will be judged, and the same measure that you use for others, it will be used for you" (Matthew 7, 1-2).

We could cite many more passages from the Bible and other religious writings that adhere to this idea, but the premise is clear: don't do it. that you do not want to be treated, treat others as you would like them to treat you or, rather, treat others as they want to be treated. Whether this force of action is delimited by the idea of ​​a deity or a way of conceiving existence and the way of addressing the world, it is clear that all action has a consequence.

Based on these interesting premises, today we come to show you everything you need to know about karma and its disciplines, or what is the same,

the belief in a transcendent energy that is generated from the actions of people. Do not miss it.

• We recommend you read: "Karma: definition and the different types that exist"

What is karma?

Roughly, Karma can be defined as the belief based on the fact that every action has a dynamic force that is expressed and influences the successive existences of the individual.. For the more scientific, this does not differ much from Newton's third law, postulated in his great work "Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica", in 1687:

"With every action an equal and opposite reaction always occurs: it means that the mutual actions of two bodies are always equal and directed in the opposite direction."

Every action has a reaction, and this is irrefutable on a physical level. Energy is not created or destroyed, it is transformed, so each act, no matter how innocuous, has a greater or lesser effect on the environment or the individual's own internal environment. All living things are open systems and, as such, we influence (and are influenced by) whether we want to or not.

The term "karma" is composed of several interrelated but not interchangeable meanings: this concept not only makes reference to physical actions, but words, thoughts and feelings are also taken into account, for example. Karma conceives an action executed as a consequence of an activity, but also the intentions of the actor behind the action (or its planned). A good deed creates good karma, for the intention is honest and pure. A bad action creates bad karma, since the intention is bad, whether in thought, development or execution. As simple as that.

• We recommend you read: "50 phrases about karma (to reflect on life)"

Is there karma?

Karma is an idea, belief and philosophical discipline, or what is the same, a construct. Since it cannot be seen or quantified by numerical parameters, it is very difficult to affirm or disprove the existence of a transcendent, invisible and immeasurable energy that is generated from the acts of people.

However, scientific articles such as "Does Karma Exist?: Buddhism, Social Cognition, and the Evidence for Karma" give us very interesting points of view. For example, the authors of this paper stipulate that, being social animals, almost all of our actions have connotations of this nature and, therefore, are perceived as critically important for personal development and common. In addition, an activity carried out by a human being usually generates a response of the same intensity by another: it has been proven that aggressiveness is usually responded to with more aggressiveness.

For example, studies exploring these ideas have found that violence within adolescent dating is responded to with violence by the other party in 83% of cases. Negative interaction generates negativity, anger generates conflict, and violence is often responded to with violence. We are animals and we have thought patterns (and instincts) within common limits, so it is not risky to generalize on this subject.

Therefore, karma may not exist as an omnipotent and ethereal force, and perhaps it is not an all-powerful deity (like God). who exercises it, but it is clear that a social action usually entails a response of intensities and connotations Similar. For this reason, at an evolutionary level, it can be affirmed that, statistically, "bad things will happen to beings who do evil in the long term."

What are the 12 laws of karma?

Beyond evolutionary and philosophical reflections, it is always good to know the bases of any belief or discipline, whether for simple knowledge or for spiritual interest. Therefore, below we summarize, briefly, the 12 laws of karma. Do not miss it.

1. The great law of karma

The one that comes to mind when we think of this complex concept. Every thought or action that a human being constructs translates into a return of the same type. Good generates good, evil generates evil.

2. The law of creation

Life requires active participation on the part of the one who experiences it. The power to create the ideal reality that each one conceives lies in the actions and thoughts that are carried out to achieve it.

3. The law of humility

If responsibility is denied for an act, it is promoted that it continues to occur invariably over time. You have to be humble enough to recognize that the current reality is the product of past actions, that is, take a sense of responsibility with respect to what surrounds us.

4. The law of growth

In order to change the world for the better, you must first experience positive personal growth. In the same way, to achieve great goals, it is necessary to take control of what is at hand, or what is the same, of oneself and of the immediate environment.

5. The law of responsibility

Everything that happens to us is, in part or in full, our responsibility. We cannot always modulate what happens to us, but do interpret it and take a concrete course of action. As we are solely responsible for our actions, we will also be responsible for the outcomes that occur as a result of them.

6. The law of connection

As if it were a butterfly effect, the past, present and future of the individual are unequivocally interconnected. We are the result of our past actions, and our future selves will be the fruit of what we do today.

7. The law of focus

Focusing attention on many things at the same time can lead to failure, restlessness, and negativity. As the popular saying goes: he who covers a lot does not squeeze, so better channel energy into a specific area each time.

8. The law of giving and hospitality

Something very similar to what is stipulated in the great law of karma: if you believe in equality in the world, you must grant equality in your environment and practice as much as you can the acts that promote it. If you believe in something, put it into practice and fight for it.

9. The law of here and now

Focusing attention on the past prevents the presentBecause being stuck in the mistakes that have already happened makes them happen again. This point is essential for personal well-being beyond karma, as attention "in the here and now" is widely sought in the cognitive-behavioral therapies of modern psychology.

10. The law of change

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again hoping to get different results. If you are looking for different results, do not always do the same thing ”, said the famous and wise Albert Einstein in his day. The law of change rests on this premise: if you want things to change, change your way of acting and explore other horizons.

11. The law of patience and reward

To generate a change in the future and obtain what you are looking for, you have to be persistent with the karmic obligations of today.

12. The law of significance and inspiration

All human beings are equally essential for the development of societywhether we are able to perceive them or not. Despite the fact that many acts go unnoticed and seem anecdotal, it is important not to forget, once again, that every action has a reaction.

Resume

As you can see, karmic laws are applied in many moments of the day to day without us noticing, from when we advise a friend to be patient until when we go to the psychologist and he recommends us to focus on today. Many of the mindfulness techniques and therapeutic methods are based on some of these premises and, therefore, it is not difficult to agree with the majority.

Karma as an energy of its own may not exist (or does), but what is certain is this: the more wrong you do, the more possible it is that something bad will happen to you. Human beings are entities with shared patterns of thought and reaction, so if someone attacks, we may return it in one way or another, but with similar intensity and mechanisms.