Another Interpretation of Karma

It's odd, growing up in a Hindu home, exposed to Buddhist teaching, but yet constantly having to redefine ancient cultural terminology you thought was once understood. One term that comes to mind is "Karma". Karma is an ancient Eastern term, a religious philosophical teaching, but yet known throughout the Western world. Asking my Western raised friends what they think about Karma, most would agree. Ask them to define the term, well, you get the whole "what goes around comes around" dribble. I mean, just look at google images with the word "karma".

However, that seems to be the definition accepted through most Easterners as well. It was my definition growing up, but quickly changed based on different teachings. The definition needed to include past life experiences that are carried over into this incarnation. Then the definition took on a more "physics" approach, where there was a "cause" resulting in an "effect". This particular description seems to be the prevalent definition.

An example of a remedial definition of Karma.

Then the law of attraction philosophies crept in, promising the ability to shape your reality as you see fit, or should I say, as you "believe" fit. I had trouble with the law of attraction believing that one's karmic actions would be the testament to one's lot in life. Without the consideration of the numerous individuals, border-line criminal, who seemed to get the best of life, it seemed that karma was just something I wouldn't understand. After all, I was not God and could not explain the mysteries of life with my feeble human mind.  

As opposed to attempting to get a better grasp over this karma philosophy, the law of attraction offered a better understanding of our individual power and ability to control one's life. I chose to dabble in that area as it was philosophically satisfying, with the idea of karma staying in the background. It was not until decades after spiritual/philosophical exploration do I think I have a better understanding of this term "karma". 

The way I currently define karma was simply one's attachments within life. Attachments can be seen as habits and habits are developed consciously through some thought process, which is then embedded in the subconscious. So the way we think is key to unlocking our karma. Our thought patterns seem to dictate our life. As an example, I have discussed in my prior posts my issues consisting of self-worth. Quite possibly a perfectionist, I always felt that things needed to be perfect in order to be a success. Such is found through my profession where I felt that success would be accomplished once I reached a certain perfection level with my own skill. However, I was constantly placed before successful individuals who challenged that notion of perfection. Hence, self-worth is a karmic issue, where the universe has constantly proven to me that perfection is not required for success. Nonetheless, my issues with self-worth has kept me karmic-ally locked into a universe that constantly put me in positions where I would challenge my self-worth. 

Most law of attraction teachers will either have you do away with the concept of Karma, use imaginary/meditative scissors to cut these attachments out of your chakras (Lazaris),  or will go through a psycho-analysis with you to undo your thought process and belief system to clear your old patterns (Abraham-Hicks, Bentinho Massaro). Though these teachers seemed to be on point, I was still not set on a proper definition of Karma.  However, most recently I came across Swami Nithyananda's definition of Karma, and it was just perfect. "Any thought pattern in which you are stuck is Karma". 

Any thought pattern in which you are stuck is Karma. Suffocating thought patterns...Anything which is not letting you to cause reality is Karma. -Swami Nithyananda

Swamiji's ​definition of Karma is right-in-line with the law of attraction and his words ended my search for the proper definition. Taking it a step further, Swamiji negates all definitions associating karma with "action" by stating "your actions do not count, your thoughts count". Further elaborated, two people committing the same action will not have the same karma due to their thoughts. A sigh of relief as this term has been so elusive through these numerous years, and numerous teachings, which created a block for me in truly understanding the law of attraction. Our thoughts create our reality and karmic-ally creates the limitations in your reality. Look in and dive deep, psychoanalyze yourself and your belief system seems to be the way to clear your Karma. Get to the root of your patterns and you'll unlock a significant limitation. 

If a thought pattern is not giving you a breakthrough, it is Karma. -Swami Nithyananda

Once you understand and master your beliefs and thought patterns, you are liberated from karma.