The word karma It is used in many areas and on many occasions, but its definition is not unequivocal. The term originates from the beliefs of the Hinduism and the buddhismfrom which the actions carried out by people have the effect of generating a transcendent energy, which is at the same time invisible and immeasurable.
From each generation of energy, the conditions are established under which the individual (or his soul) will return to life once dead. The original definition Karma has to do with reincarnation.
This question of reincarnation It has to do with the fact that, in the Buddhist and Hindu creeds, it is not enough with just one life to pay for all the good or all the evil done in the current one, nor in the past: the stage on earth is provisional and is related both with the lives that will come as with those that have already happened. In this way, by having good karma it will be more likely that future reincarnations will be more and more profitable.
Karma in the West
In the western societies, the question of karma is analyzed without considering reincarnation. Many people believe that what one gave to others comes back, in the same way or in another, but with good expressions if one had good intentions and with a bad destiny if one did evil.
Thus, who did good will receive his prize sooner rather than later, and whoever did evil his punishment: those who are really connoisseurs in spiritual matters affirm that karma in no way establishes rewards and punishments, but tends to completeness and balance, which is necessary to be able to achieve love and happiness.
Importance of the idea of karma
The idea of karma is a very good mechanism to provide happiness in many people. This happens because, according to the logic of karma, acting with good intentions will have its reward at some point (eventually, in other lives).
As is known, there are many people who spend their lives acting with a good attitudeand seeing how their success is not as great as that of others who have a much worse attitude.
Believing in the balance given by the cause-effect relationships of karma is a mechanism to persist in a positive attitude, and can be understood from this perspective in the sociological interpretation of religion.
examples of karma
Here are some examples that could be thought of situations in which karma manifests itself in life, in a tangible and rather immediate way:
- Someone who plans a practical joke for another, but then this joke backfires.
- Someone who helps those who need it most, and when he is in need he finds someone to help him.
- Practicing a sport, a young man strives to get there while another achieves success by having acquaintances in a club. Then, when it comes to playing professionally, most of the time the one who tried hard is luckier and the other one is unluckier.
- A boy who bullies his classmates in elementary school, and then in high school is bullied.
- A man mistreats his wife, she ends up abandoning him and he suffers for not having valued her at the time.