So what is Karma?<\/strong> To truly understand this concept, we first must explore its origins from about the 4<\/span>th<\/span> century and later perspectives. <\/span>This can be easily achieved by intellectual travel. <\/span><\/p>\n So our first destination is China<\/strong>, followed by India<\/strong>, Europe<\/strong> and then America<\/strong>. However, before arriving in China, we will explore the relationship between Karma and Rebirths.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The concept is also explored, alongside the idea of rebirth<\/strong> in Taoism<\/a><\/strong> and Indian religions, particularly Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The familiar understanding of Karma comes from Buddhism<\/strong><\/a>. The definition given to Karma<\/span> is <\/span>\u201caction\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cdoing\u201d<\/strong>, driven by intention, which leads to future consequences. <\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, karma is known as a cause-and-effect principle. So a fundamental, causal law. When good intent and deeds (thoughts and actions) align, they will contribute to good<\/strong> Karma and happier rebirths.<\/span><\/p>\n While bad<\/strong> intent and bad deeds will contribute to bad Karma and rebirths. The consequence can be material, moral or emotional. Therefore Karma refers to the totality of our actions and intent as\u00a0a law of the Universe.<\/p>\n Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism believe rebirths may occur in realms dependent on quality. <\/span>So the seeds<\/strong> of Karmic impulses from the current life pass on<\/strong> into another life and lifetime of Karmas.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n The cycle is broken when the Karma is paid off (or the person is destroyed due to their bad deeds). The realms of gods will instantly embrace us<\/strong>, where suffering ends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jainism<\/strong><\/a> does support Karmic reincarnation and the awakening of the soul but goes no further. Modern Taoism believes in reincarnation, governed by how harmonious we have lived with mother earth than Karma.<\/span><\/p>\n Jainism and Taoism, however, do not support the belief that awakening will end the cycle. Therefore neither see a perceived end.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Taoism<\/strong><\/a> is about cosmic energy, freedom and change. \u00a0 A spirit of evolution<\/strong> and openness<\/strong> sustains its relevance. By supporting free will through Taoism, Karma powers choice, which is the universe’s way.<\/span><\/p>\n Taoism is deeply rooted in ancient China<\/strong><\/a>. It is a way of thinking based on a system of beliefs, attitudes and practices steep in humanitarian values that we apply in the best way<\/strong> we know. <\/span><\/p>\n Consequently, it is considered to be both a philosophy<\/strong> and a religion<\/strong>. Taoism promotes harmony with self and nature, especially through the concept of yin and yang (opposites), learning from others and accepting. <\/span><\/p>\n Taoism is governed by 3 Karmic poles, positive<\/strong>, neutral<\/strong> and negative<\/strong>. The aim is to accumulate positive or neutral Karma (involuntarily actions). Karma makes awakening (enlightenment) possible but not necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n All the above religions refer to Saint Paramhansa Yogananda<\/strong><\/a>, who described karma as a \u201claw of Justice<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> that determines who we are. We can’t escape our basic patterns but <\/span>follow our basic nature against them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All three religions believe that we must accept the consequences of our actions and learn from them on our path to awakening, also referred to as \u201cNirvana\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cMoksha\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cMukti\u201d<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n Karma determines our rebirth cycle<\/strong>. <\/span>So physically hurting someone will lead to misfortunes either in this life or the next, and the opposite outcome is achieved through virtuous actions. <\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes the Karmic result is not obvious<\/strong> or observable<\/strong>, meaning it is a future or past debt to clear instead of an instant one. <\/span>So it is no surprise that mindfulness is encouraged.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is one of the oldest<\/strong><\/a> Indian philosophies. Jainism’s view of the soul is impure at its origin but remains impure and defiled like natural gold. Karma either defies the soul further or refines it to a cleaner state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Karma also operates as a self-sustaining mechanism as a natural universal law without needing a Divine entity.\u00a0 The soul attracts Karmic matter with action. All souls are equal<\/strong>, meaning with thoughts and actions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If we achieve this state, there is no gain other than to say that we have arrived at our state. The path to awakening<\/strong> is practising non-violence to all living things, including plants and animals. <\/span><\/p>\n We can reincarnate into an animal or even a plant and vice versa, depending on the quality<\/strong> of our Karma. The soul continuously reincarnates into one of the four realms: subhuman, human, celestial or hell.<\/span><\/p>\n Is philosophy, science and religion combined? Spiritism<\/strong><\/a>, established in France in the <\/span>19th Century, \u201cThe Law of Cause and Effect<\/strong>\u201d. Spirits choose how to suffer retribution for the wrong they did in previous lives. <\/span><\/p>\n Spirits understand that Karma is an inherent condition<\/strong> of the Spirit. To progress in the Spirit, one must live a hard life to eliminate moral guilt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Carl Jung<\/a> (1875)<\/b> connects Karma with unresolved emotions. Popular methods recommended for enhancing<\/strong> emotional self-awareness are meditation, counselling, psychoanalysis and metacognition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To tackle negative Karma and acquire better emotional hygiene<\/strong> and reduce Karmic impacts<\/strong>. This process of emotional maturation aspires to a goal of individuation or self-actualisation.<\/span><\/p>\n Both claim that Karma can be understood as a principle of psychology<\/strong> and habit<\/strong>. Karma seeds, habits and habits create the nature of man. <\/span>Both habits and perceptions affect the course of one\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n They can be linked and compared to a person\u2019s \u201ccharacter<\/strong>\u201d. <\/span>Karma and character are an assessment of the person and are determined by that person\u2019s habitual thinking and acting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Karma is the Law of Return; The beneficial or harmful effect will return to oneself. The saying \u201cWhat goes around comes around<\/strong>\u201d emanates from this.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n S<\/span>o, it is the Law of Cause<\/strong> and Effect<\/strong>. Operating in the human realm and bringing about adjustments between an individual and others.\u00a0 In particular, one’s thoughts, emotions and actions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Every action has a consequence, which explains our current and future life.\u00a0 Karma is not itself \u201creward and punishment<\/strong>\u201d but the law that produces consequence.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Karma considers action, intentions, attitude and desires before and during the action.\u00a0 Therefore, the quality of one\u2019s afterlife<\/strong> becomes contingent on the practice of social ethics through the concept of Karma.<\/span><\/p>\n In closing, regardless of the philosophy we embrace, we can agree that Karma plays a powerful role<\/strong> in reminding us to live a good life. One that aligns with nature by cultivating self-awareness and good habits.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n So essentially, a life governed by virtues<\/strong>, healthy intentions<\/strong> and perceptions<\/strong> will enable us to achieve a happier and freer existence.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I look forward to seeing you in part 2 of Karma, where we will explore Karmic relationships<\/strong>, patterns, how to reduce them and lots more. So, see you then and in the meanwhile, wishing you all \u201cLove and Light\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Carma is a compassionate, warm and uplifting psychic. She is looking forward to speaking to you and giving you a psychic reading! Contact her\u00a0right here!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Psychic Today<\/strong>\u00a0has a highly experienced and friendly team of\u00a0Natural Psychics<\/strong><\/a>, all of whom can provide you with unique guidance with any dilemmas you face in life! 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We may send free promotional messages.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Psychic Today is on a mission to continue providing the very best psychic advice. Now we have more ways to reach\u00a0our<\/span>\u00a0trusted\u00a0<\/span>psychics<\/span><\/strong>, and\u00a0<\/span>we<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>dedicated<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ourselves<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>answering<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>questions<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n You can ring them via our\u00a0EasyCall<\/strong>\u00a0feature, found on your chosen Psychics profile. Text our psychics through our\u00a0Text Reading<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>page. You can also send IMs directly to the live stream via our App.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Philosophies of Karma – By Carma Karma is a very familiar concept. \u00a0Quotes such as “What you put out, you get back” or “What goes around, comes around” are often quoted. Like the Jewish and Christian principles, \u201c You reap what you sow. \u201d\u00a0 So what is Karma? To truly understand this concept, we…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/psychictoday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Karma_blog_large-1024x563.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Relationship of Karma<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n
Rebirths\/Reincarnations\/Life After Death\/Samsara\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
China:<\/b> Taoism (Daoism)<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/psychictoday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/karma-shutterstock_182613749.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIndia: Hinduism, Buddhism & Sikhism\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
India: Jainism<\/b><\/h2>\n
Other Later Perspectives<\/b><\/h2>\n
Spiritism: France<\/b><\/h3>\n
Psychoanalysis: Switzerland\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Harold Coward & Karl Potter<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>(1964<\/b>) <\/span>America<\/b><\/h3>\n
Theosophical Society (the 1970s) America<\/b><\/h3>\n
Gananath Obeyesekere: Anthropologist & Psychoanalysis (2002)<\/b> Sri Lanka<\/b><\/h3>\n
How To Accumulate Karma<\/b><\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/psychictoday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/karma-shutterstock_1075875023.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn Summary<\/h2>\n
Connect with Carma<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Speak to one of our Psychics!<\/h2>\n
Download our Psychic Today App now!<\/b><\/h2>\n
Psychic Today is Here For You!<\/b><\/h2>\n