The philosophy is straight and simple—you get what you give.

The Sanskrit word “karma” stands for action and its result, for the fact that whatever we sow in our lives returns to us sooner or later.

It is a vast and deep concept from which we continue to learn new lessons. For the spiritual student, an understanding of personal karma may work as a motivator to deepen awareness and embody positive attitudes.

The more we internalize, the more we realize the extent to which we are moved by deep-rooted habits and how we often think and act in an automatic way. At times we may be lacking a long-term vision or just find ourselves too tired or busy to care. Our dharma—the knowledge and experience of the spirit—must run deep for our values and direction to remain right.

There is no more important and yet challenging teaching than that of righteous action.

The philosophy is straight and simple—you get what you give. Still, interpretations are full of nuances. This happens because our values and understanding of aspects like right and wrong vary according to our consciousness, culture, context and time period.

But relativism is not applicable to the law of karma, for as with some physical laws, there is an exact universal constant operating in its spiritual counterpart.

It might have been easier for us to assimilate such things if spiritual teachings were with us from an early age. This would make a difference in the way we envision life and save the world a lot of trouble.

The tricky thing about karma is that it stretches beyond the limits of a lifetime and therefore is one of those things that cannot be empirically seen or proved. Such a notion is not easily acceptable for most people living in this age of material reasoning and quick fixes.

Besides, this is the kind of knowledge that historically has been kept away from the masses, remaining a privilege of esoteric initiates. Many mystical schools were structured around what was left from ancient teachings related to soul realization and its connection with the natural world. In certain time periods, such as the medieval Inquisition, it was a risk to merely ponder about such subjects.

Spiritual knowledge gives the soul inner strength and freedom from dependencies and fears. This was definitely against what established ideologies and dogmas wanted people to have.

The law of karma says that everything we think, do and express is bound to generate a return in equal intensity.

It is this that keeps the wheel of life in constant motion.

Karmic accounts are seen as being quickly created and taking time to become settled.

The value of this natural arrangement or invisible order is that it is responsible for recording and rewarding the expression of human energy on this planet. No effort is lost; everything has meaning and creates resonance.

It is refreshing to know that we can always begin anew, planting new seeds for future harvests. This is also a compelling way to learn about individual responsibility. We can’t escape the consequences of our actions—nor of our inaction.

At the time of reaping good fortune, all of us enjoy encountering our destinies. Yet life today is becoming ever more unpredictable, and the fact that we have basic things like health, clarity and some ability to sustain ourselves is already a sign of very fortunate karma.

Because at this time a great part of our human family is carrying an invisible burden, the practical manifestation of our will is not as easy as we would like it to be. In certain moments you may feel as if something is not quite right even though you did your best, or that your energy is blocked and things don’t come to fruition.

Even though focus and positive thinking are essential in keeping the mind stable, some things do take time to take form and there might be cases where they never will. Karma is free will and pre-determination working together.

We can understand life as interplay of energies—spiritual, mental and physical. Whether we are conscious or not, a constant interaction and exchange of vibrations is being created and experienced by each of us at every moment.

To be sensible and discerning before acting means you’re living your dharma—you’re acting with awareness.

The only way out is within.

As souls, we are beings of light. We have come from a dimension of light, and the most powerful spiritual experiences we can have are those in the incorporeal stage, in union with the Highest Being.

Connecting with the Divine is also the means for becoming gradually liberated from one’s karmic debts, for deep meditative states relieve us from the heavy baggage stored in our subconscious minds. Over time, with constant attention, we are able to clear the shadows within.

On the other hand, as long as we keep acting under the influence of our limited perceptions we continue to cause agitation in our emotional selves and in the environment. We keep losing precious energy.

The more we educate ourselves to use our spiritual powers and elevate our consciousness, the more we let go of old patterns of defensiveness and aggression. Learning to see problems in a new light is always liberating.

We are empowered by developing tolerance and acceptance of situations as they come and by trying to understand their roots.

This world may then be seen as a stage, a creative ground, where we souls are just actors expressing ourselves through thoughts, words and actions.

Empty yourself.

Let your mind rest.

All the things of the world rise and fall

While the soul catches their return.

Everything grows and flourishes,

Then returns to the source of stillness.

This is unchanging, eternal.

To know this constancy is insight.

To know this constancy frees the mind.

A free mind brings an open heart.

Open-hearted, you will act royally.

Being royal you attain the divine.

Being divine you will be your true self,

Your eternal self.

The body dies, the soul will never pass away.

Lao Tzu —Tao Te Ching

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Assistant Ed.: Moira Madden / Ed: Catherine Monkman