In some Eastern traditions, it is natural to believe in karma.
The word “karma” comes from Sanskrit and means “action” or “deed”. In several Eastern religious and philosophical traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, karma is an integral part of their faith and understanding of the world. Believing in karma is natural in these contexts, because it is part of the fundamental teachings of these religions.
What is karma?
“These are all the experiences, the past lives, all the memories that our soul has accumulated over its different incarnations”explains Ambre Kouadio, personal development coach. “It is a complex and multidimensional notion which is based on an idea: how will our past experiences influence the awareness of our present and future life?” In different cultures, we often say “be careful, you’re going to see karma!” Or “karma on you!”as if it was a backlash, a punishment that we were going to receive in life. “I am convinced that the notion of good and evil is a human notion”continues the coach. “While in energetics, we talk about experiences. I don’t think there is any backlash or punishment unlike what we can have, for example, in religions.” Some people find that their life experience seems to confirm the idea of karma, observing patterns where good or bad actions seem to have corresponding consequences.
Positive karma and negative karma
“There is positive karma and negative karma”recognizes the coach. “When positive things happen to us in life, we consider that it is normal, that it is fluid and we will not pay too much attention to that. On the other hand, when we have blockages (karmic knots) or negative things that happen to us, we will say that it is because of negative karma and we will focus on it.
“One thing is certain: past experiences are passed on”
There is no universal answer to the question of believing in karma. For some, it is a central part of their worldview and spirituality. For others, it is a symbolic notion that can inspire a moral life. “Everyone must reflect on their own beliefs, experiences and values to decide the place of karma in their life. One thing is certain: past experiences are transmitted. These are events that come naturally into our lives and which allow us to understand some things.” So no backlash but actions that encourage us to act morally and to think about the consequences of these actions on others and on ourselves.
Work on your karma
Working on your karma is a personal process aimed at improving your actions, thoughts and attitudes to create positive effects in your life and that of others. “This can be done through an energetician, who will help us to delve inside ourselves, to introspect, in order to become aware of certain things”, concludes our interlocutor. Meditation or mindfulness practice can also be used. “The goal is not to erase karma, but to fluidize it and free oneself from karmic knots.”