Karma is an idea that has worked its way into mainstream beliefs. But that idea is twisted. Corrupted by pain.
We took something beautiful and neutral, and made it about punishment. We’ve made god, and the universe an angry judge. Giving to only those who deserve it. While most people seem to suffer from some unknown (or known) sins of the past.
I used to carry this belief close to my heart. Believing my pain was penance for the things about myself that I judged as wrong. The times I was selfish when I wish I wasn’t. When I was mean where I could’ve been kind.
Today I’m sharing with you something that is deeply meaningful to me. The shift in my understanding of karma started when I studied tantra, at an ashram in Nepal. Close to the source of this idea and under the guidance of a guru. So much of what I thought about spirituality. About the world. Was transformed.
The word karma comes from Sanskrit. So to understand it fully we must take a look at ancient Hindu culture.
Karma, translates to action, deed, or work. In the Bhagavad Gita, it states “Whether good or bad, every action follows its own path to fruition.” As well as “The nature and quality of the action determines its result.”
Do you see how punishment is not inherent in the meaning of karma? Neither is reward. Simply action = result.
To illustrate this further let me share a story with the goddess Durga. Paraphrased and summarized from my memory.
Two demon brothers sought to take over the kingdom of the gods and goddesses. So they performed a task to receive their blessing. I believe it was holding a yoga pose, while on fire for 200 years.
After completing this karma (action) they were granted the kingdom of the gods. Because while their intent and spirits were evil, they did what was necessary to get their desire.
Think of any corrupt Wall Street businessman, politician, or scam artist – they have selfish motives. Yet does it stop them from receiving their wealth and power?
After a reign of terror from the brothers. There’s an intense battle where Durga epically defeats their army. In the end, as the brothers die she holds them in her arms. Looking at them not with hate, but with the love of a mother. For even the wicked are worthy of her love.
There are definitely religious ideas of punishment, hell fire and penance. That isn’t karma though.
Karma tells you that your actions create a result. To go even deeper, you will often find seemingly negative circumstances have hidden positives. Seemingly positive outcomes have hidden pains. There is a little good in every bad, a little bad in every good.
It would be easier to live in a world where wicked deeds are always punished. Where good is always favoured.
However, if you’re reading this today, I’m certain that your particular brand of evil, of harm, or meanness, is not dire. That the idea that the negative outcomes in your life are karmic payback, is silly.
You don’t need to do more good to be worthy of what you long for. Just take the actions that lead you there. Your internal guidance system knows the way. At least part of it.
If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, you’ll understand intimately. That is punishment in itself. That is the curse. The black magic. Lamenting or digging through the past. Wishing over and over you took different steps. Like Prometheus and the bird. You’re ripping your own organs out, each day.
Life is not so complicated. We learn and we do differently.
If you’re hoping for one who has done you harm to be punished. Then all I can say is, I see your pain. I feel the hurt and the heartbreak you carry. The suffering and the darkness. I will not sit on a pedestal and tell you to choose forgiveness, because of some ideal. If hoping for their suffering gives you solace. That is your truth. If you want to see them punished and hurt, it’s because of how deeply they’ve hurt you. Carrying that pain is heavy. You’re not alone.
Twisting the meaning of karma may provide a salve for your pain. A temporary bandage. However, what is the damage to you? What is the risk of believing that the good in your life can only come from being worthy of it? That worthiness is in fact, how much you suffer.
I invite you today to leave behind that twisted understanding of karma. To see the truth as it was meant. Your actions create consequences.
So take the actions that lead to what you want.
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My understanding of spirituality and the world informs my tarot readings. I’m not a reader who will sit there and tell you your suffering is karma from some past life mistake. Instead, I will walk beside you, in a world where you can create what you want. From exactly where you are. Where your pain and your suffering is seen, heard, felt. Not sold to you as a punishment.
If this aligns with you, contact me here to book your reading. Read my reviews here. Or find out more information on this page.
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