12 PRINCIPLES OF KARMA
Karma means action, work, or deed, signifying the activities of mind, speech, and body. The term also refers to the principle of cause and effect (causality) often called the principle of karma, or retribution, wherein the intent and action of an individual (cause) influences the nature of that individual’s future life experience (effect). Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and happier experience, whereas bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and more suffering.
“Now as a man is like this or like that, according as he acts and according as he behaves, so will he be; a man of good acts will become good, a man of bad acts, bad; he becomes pure by pure deeds, bad by bad deeds; And here they say that a person consists of desires, and as is his desire, so is his will; and as is his will, so is his deed; and whatever deed he does, that he will reap.”
`Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
THE 12 PRINCIPLES OF KARMA
Awareness and understanding of these principles can help us take responsibility for our lives by removing the desire to blame others for our circumstances. These laws give us a new perspective that will inspire and motivate us to make right use of our thoughts, speech, and body (leading to greater degrees of peace and happiness).
1.) THE LAW OF CAUSALITY
“What you put out you get back. What goes around come around. Every action has a reaction similar to its cause.”
2.) THE LAW OF CREATION
“There is no such thing as chance, only the karma you have created. You are co-creating your universe based on your intentional activities.”
3.) THE LAW OF HUMILITY
“Accept the fact that you alone are responsible for all that you experience. No one is above the Great Law of Karma.”
4.) THE LAW OF GROWTH
“Growth starts within and accelerates when we accept the uncontrollable. Seek only to control what you can; yourself.”
5.) THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY
“No matter what happens to us in life we can always choose how we respond to that situation (if not physically, then mentally).”
6.) THE LAW OF CONNECTION
“Past, present, and future are one. Who you are today is the effect of past actions. What you become tomorrow is determined today.”
7.) THE LAW OF FOCUS
“Concentrated attention increases the effect of one's karma and strengthens the willpower.”
8.) THE LAW OF SERVICE
“Selfless charity will help to abandon egoic ambitions that cause the mind to become restless.”
9.) THE LAW OF PRESENCE
“Dwell not on the past nor attempt to predict the future. Keep the mind aware of what’s happening in the present. Only the NOW (and how we respond to it) matters.”
10.) THE LAW OF CHANGE
“Impermanent is the nature of all Creation; nothing (neither good nor bad) lasts forever. Do not obsess over what is temporary.”
11.) THE LAW OF PATIENCE
“Reversing the effects of negative karma takes time to manifest. Do not stop even if the effects are not immediately apparent”
12.) THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE
“Purifying our karma is difficult and strenuous but worthwhile. Interdependent and connected are all things. Thus as we strive to become better, we become sources of inspiration and happiness for others, who in turn become sources of inspiration and happiness for us.”
