Karma!

One of the most often used word in an Indian household is 'Karma'. It is a word we use very casually. An ice cream melts in our hand before we lick it... many say it is karma (i mean whattttt is that!) any difficult  experiences that we go through (like tolerating a team mate, a boss or answering your little one) we blame it all on karma. This current situation that we are in, if we sneeze it is blamed on karma, sigh! This got me thinking... 

What is karma?

How is karma determined? 

Is there a way to change it?

I am Blessed with a Living Guru and very thankful to Him for His knowledge. Salutations to Him _/\_. My understanding from His teaching....

What is Karma?

Karma is the Vasana or the energy carried by the soul. It is the culmination of all the experiences lived by the soul until a moment in this universe. In Hinduism, we believe the God of death, Yamraj, maintains an account for each soul. All the good and bad is weighed and paves the way to our afterlife in heaven or hell. Vasana is nothing but acts done by a person across several life time.

Inference?? Okay I don't know if Chitraguptha and Yamraj are fantasies or realities, but i do believe the good and bad we do becomes ours to carry forever. Yes, I also believe in the concept of body and soul, in soul taking different forms and that the soul is the one eternal truth.

How is Karma determined?

Karma is determined more by the intention than the action of the individual. There are times we are hard on our children to make them better people... accumulating good karma. There are times when we need to stand up for right even if it hurts people because it is the right way... accumulating good karma. Action is very important but when there is a conflict between the action and the intention, it is the intension the decides ones karma.

Is there a way to change Karma?

There is no escape from Karma. Several religion say, live as if some one is watching you always. Why did they say that? Karma keeps ticking with every thought, action and inaction of ours. Once we attract a good karma it stays with us forever and once we attract a bad karma it stays with us forever. There is no tallying of the debits and credits. Just like how one will enjoy the benefits of good karma, one has to go through the hardship of bad karma. We in our individual capacity have no control over our Karma once we attract it.

The only thing in this whole universe that can protect us from bad karma is Guru’s love. A Guru has the potency to alter the Karma of an individual. He has the ability to absorb our bad karma and replace it with His good Karma. He, in His benevolence, has the power to bestow upon us His grace and protect us with His energy. Why does He have this ability? A Guru's love is infinite and it is from this love, His ability stems. The act of replacing a disciple's bad karma with His good karma, is the greatest of all giving, it is one of the greatest act of selflessness from a Guru.  This is one of the several reasons, why a Guru is worshiped before God in Hinduism. 

Karma is a very potent thing, we may be casual about it in our talks, let us not be casual in our acts. Let us always intend and act with positivity, love and betterment in our hearts.

My small wish for all of you....

May the seeker in you be awakened,

May the grace of the Guru find and touch you,

May you surrender yourself to Him,

May He carry you in life... 

May you experience Miracles of Faith!!!

May you experience the magic of Guru's love.. may all the good Karma be yours!