Karma is not out to get you

Over the years I have met a great many people who blame their bad luck on karma.

"No matter what I do, I can't catch a break. I just have bad karma."

"I must have done something awful in a former life."

"I can't find a lasting relationship. Must be my karma."

I call it like I see it, and I call comments like these plain ridiculous.

What I do believe

I believe in karma, and in its basic principle that you reap what you sow. I do not believe the universe is busy making you pay back a debt from the days when you wore a suit of armour and went around slaying dragons.

That is a cop out. Can't find love? Blame karma, and never mind that you have not really opened yourself up to someone new. Can't get the big job? Blame karma, and never mind that the world needs to see you get out of bed and show it how hard you are willing to work. Rain on your wedding day? Bad karma, obviously. Nothing to do with the weather doing exactly what it does every November.

After 50 the same excuse turns up in better clothes: it is too late for me now. It does the same job. It lets the universe take the blame for something you have decided not to try.

Good karma is simple

The way I see it, if you act out of love and kindness, take responsibility and stay open to what comes, your karma in this life and any other is good. What comes may not look the way you expected. That is fine.

Good karma does not ask for much. Live with dignity, and treat every being with respect and kindness, every day. The Dalai Lama has described his own philosophy as kindness, and I have never heard a better summary.

We also tend to become what we think about most. If you are sure you will never have a loving relationship because your karma is bad, that is very likely what you will get. If you believe your karma is good and stay open to what is possible, you are open to good things too.

We all make mistakes. Trying to put one right, or changing the way you think, can make a remarkable difference to your life and to your karma.

Try this

As I understand it, the joy you bring other people is about equal to the joy that comes back to you. So do something kind for someone this week, for no reason at all, and do not tell anyone you did it.

Then notice how you feel. I suspect it will be happier than the person still blaming that knight in armour.

From the archive. First written for my journal years ago, and rewritten for life after 50.