Cause and Effect

There are many different definitions and concepts surrounding “Karma” but the common thread seems to be that of “cause and effect” or better said “what goes around, comes around”.My belief about the meaning of Karma is that there are two parts to it:

1)      Intention – This does not mean doing random acts of kindness on purpose with the expectation that this will now create “good karma”.  It is simply doing random acts of kindness with the intention of generating a positive feeling in the recipient.  In my opinion it is the positive act with the only desired outcome being that you make someone’s day better that automatically generates the good karma.  The unintention within the intention.

2)      Reaction – One of my favorite quotes by Wayne Dyer that clearly expresses this;

         “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” 

So true, and quite often reaction can be a very difficult emotion to control.  When others have treated me in a way that hurts or upsets me, my immediate reaction can be either to act out or shut down.  I’ve found that neither one of these have ever been a beneficial solution.I’ve had my own difficulties with trying not to let others words/ actions affect me and sometimes it can still be an ongoing battle but I’ve found that it depends on the state of being I’m in at the time an issue arises.  If I am in a place of feeling strong within my mind and soul then no one can affect me, however if I am in a less than strong position I will have a feud going on within me just to fend it off.  One of the quotes I constantly remind myself of when I’m in those less than strong positions that helps me find my way out is, of course, another Wayne Dyer quote:

        “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

It doesn’t always work for me at first but if I keep repeating it in my mind at some point it kicks in.  Along with that I will constantly ask myself “do I want to allow others to block my happiness or positive energy?” or “give someone else the power to change my future?”  

Absolutely No Way!

I know that when I’ve let someone else’s behavior affect me I’ve noticed that it has a direct effect on all those around me, my entire day and every day after that until I stop letting it affect me.  It’s something I have to consciously choose to ward off and it can sometimes take all of my positive energy just to stay on the level but it’s a definite “have to” for me, and the most necessary step in maintaining my spirit.

I do have one aide that I use that helps to calm me internally when someone has affected me and it really does work.  I bought myself a clear crystal quartz that hangs on a nylon cord like a necklace and I wear it when I feel out of sorts.  Clear crystal quartz is said to have healing properties that cleanse away negativity, clear blockages and balance your crown chakra.  It’s called “the poor man’s diamond” because it’s so rich in every way except material value.

It’s been said that your karma follows you through each and every life until you’ve paid up the karmic debt that you’ve created.  I can’t say one way or the other on this statement as I would have to have data from not only mine but from others past and current lives.  I don’t know if that’s even a possibility to complete, at least not for me anyway.  I do believe in the statements of the karma coming with you through each life and the karmic debt being paid.  I think that anyone can turn their karma around as long as their intention is coming from an open and honest place.  Of course I don’t mean that by reaching an open and honest place that means that they are automatically paid up for any past transgressions.  I view it to be a process, somewhat like a 12-step program and that the person who has made this transformation within is usually eager to make amends and make up for any stress and/or hurt that they’ve caused.   It is through these positive desires that the karmic debt gets paid up, not just because they’ve made amends but because the intention is open and honest and their words/actions are consistent with that intention.