The Real Definition of Karma

More than 2000 years ago, the concept of karma was clearly defined in Buddhist teachings and Hindu texts such as the Mahabharata: Karma is inextricably linked to reincarnation and a person’s actions dictate the circumstances in his future lives. The concept is straightforward without much ambiguity.

Think of karma as circumstances in life you can’t change, such as the choices and actions of others, including those of your family members that affect your life, rejection and criticism you endure, your early life circumstances, the unique level of unavoidable strife or harmony between you and another person, the end of a relationship, natural disasters, and those brick walls of failure that everyone must face on occasion.

Amazingly, a lot of stuff you can’t change in life, both challenging and rewarding, symbolically shows up in your unique personal comprehensive astrological and numerological patterns.

Actions have consequences, and personal adversity seems to serve a spiritual purpose because it makes you stronger and helps you unleash your full potential. Plus, without challenges in life you wouldn’t recognize the rewards.

Some in the spiritual community today erroneously claim that you can get rid of your karma by simply rising above it. Snap your fingers and have a clean slate, just like that! Next step, billionaire status and the perfect relationship! They don’t appear to be selling magic wands, so it’s unclear how they expect others to go about this process.

The truth is, you (your personality) don’t have a choice after your soul on the other side agrees to your overall life circumstances (in part from karma—good and bad), before you incarnate. The good news is that you can control how you react to your life circumstances to make the most of your life.

Below is a series of quotes about what you can and can’t control in life.

“In our personal and professional lives, we are constantly hit with one adversity after the other, most of which we have no control over. But the four things we have total control over is how we react, how we adapt, how we breathe, and how we take action.” —Diamond Dallas Page

“I think we are all insecure, and there is nothing wrong in accepting that. But the problem arises when we try to counter this insecurity by cultivating this illusion of control, and we start taking ourselves and everything we know too seriously.” —Sushant Singh Rajput

“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” —Brian Tracy

“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our actions. The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.” —Epictetus, Enchiridion and Selections from the Discourses

“Of all men's miseries the bitterest is this: to know so much and to have control over nothing.” —Herodotus

“Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.” —Marilu Henner

“You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” —Wayne Dyer

“A lot of things are going to happen that you can't necessarily control all the time, but you can control what you do after it happens. So that's what I try to do, keep my head up, keep moving forward, stay positive and just work hard.” —Lonzo Ball

“We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations.” —L. Lionel Kendrick

“There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help.” —Jan Schakowsky

Copyright © Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo