Everyone knows what goes around comes around. This is Karma and Karma Yoga is a stand alone Spiritual Path. However, with Karma Yoga there is something many aren’t aware of.
In brief, we know that Yoga is about self realization through the union of our dualities, ultimately leading us to Samadhi, (Nirvana), which equals freedom and liberation. But how does Karma play into this? Again, this is a short version, but it is easy to get the concept.
Karma Yoga – There is more than you may realize.
Each of us is a copy of the Universe. A microcosm that is an identical copy of the Macrocosm. Everything we do is acting upon the big picture. Every ripple created by our thoughts, and actions will have an affect. And this is not just sitting there doing nothing. These actions, and thoughts are acting on us as an equal and opposite reaction. Jesus says as you sow you shall reap,and this is not just a philosophy. This is a fact.
So it is essential that each of us is smart about our karma, and what we are sowing. This isn’t about moralizing. You get what you sow. You sow aggression, you get it. Live by sword die by it. This is the law of Karma. Whether you like it or agree with it does not matter. Like gravity whether you see it or acknowledge it, it keeps your ass on the ground.
So it is always good to learn about the forces in the Universe that are driving us, so that we can learn how to use these as effectively, and for the right purposes as possible. We are obligated to incarnate over and over because of this. Samsara (our current physical world) is one state of consciousness. Nirvana (heaven to some, but a union with the Divine) is another.
When you have been reborn, there is no escape from your Karma. When you have something to receive from the Universe, you have to give something back. Because we are imperfect beings, often we get back something that our ego selves term bad Karma. But Karma is Karma, and the Universe does not distinguish in terms of good or bad. Just returning back what it receives.
We also have past karmic debt from our past lives, which of course we can’t remember. This has to paid back, and we have no idea what it may be. So we often term it bad, but we can’t be a victim, we created this. So we get it that it isn’t all good. Nor is it always peaceful. The karma from our past lives is an imprint on our unconscious, un-examined minds, and is called Samskaras.
But say you think you only produce good Karma in this life, you may ask “What’s the problem”. The problem is you have not reached the place of “No Karma”. Which is the only way to freedom and liberation. You continue in the Karmic cycle, bound by it, albeit by a golden chain. But you will continue to be reborn, returning with no memory, no awareness and no choices. And have to continue to eat your Karma. So the Karmic cycle is not broken. And that is the point. Plus, you don’t know about your past Karma.
Then let’s say that you have great Karma when born. In this life everything comes up rosy. You are born into a rich family, have beautiful looks, nice body, car, everything you could possibly want. What happens this, I must be lucky right. I have no work to do, my Karma is awesome. But you forget your purpose here. And remember nothing from before. You become arrogant. Greedy. Possessive. You begin to plant these and other impure seeds. Now you are back to sowing bad karma. And all Karma has to be paid back, so you continue in the Karmic cycle, returning to earth ignorant, repeating the cycle of suffering. So it is essential that we burn up the karma. Then the Universe owes us nothing. And we owe it nothing.
By letting go of our ego and recognizing that we are a copy of the Universe, a microcosm of the Macro, simply (albeit difficult for most of us) return it to from where it came. This will break the karmic cycle. This is the true definition of letting go that you hear about in Yoga classes, and now in marketing materials. This is surrender. Anything else you do is resistence. And there is no reason for it, because it is the path of pain and suffering.
So to change your Karmic debt, from this moment forward, in everything you do, consecrate the fruits, actions, results, learnings, understandings, everything to the MacroCosm, The Divine, God, Buddha, Shiva, Jesus, Brahman, whatever your name for the Cosmic Consciousness. Everything you sow, you reap then offer it back to where it came from originally. You keep the fruits but you don’t keep the karma.
And work to change your reactions to everything from an impure to a purer place, and purpose. Then if you get born again, you could come as a master, not like a fool going through life blindly. But with clarity. Your awareness decided by you, not for you. You designing the game of life, and the conditions. Not life decided by your Karma.
Karma is part of all the yogic paths. So though you may prefer a Yoga practice that includes the asanas and other yogic principles, this principle of karma still applies. All practice leads to the same place. Self Realization, Samadhi, Nirvana, Freedom and Liberation. There is only one thing you should know. Conquer yourself.
Hatha Yoga is easier for many in the modern world and works through our negative thoughts, obsessive factors, blindness and other obstacles integrating, balancing and harmonizing our feminine (shakti) and masculine (shiva), ha/tha, yin/yang, lunar/solar/ receptive/emittive and the like, that occurs on every level of our being, mental, emotional, physcial, psychological, physical, until we are truly a perfect reflection of The Divine. Which of course we all are. We are just to blind, and ignorant to see it:)
There are so many veils that have to be lifted to see this. In terms of spirituality one must have self-realization, or you can’t begin to attain a spiritual practice. So Yoga in general is an excellent path for everyone. It does not require any change in your religious orientation. It has the tools, techniques and resources. But does require awareness, comittment, consciousness and vigilence. Our unconscious is a filter through which we view everything. If it isn’t pure, your Karma won’t be either.
But everything comes down to unconditional love. If you can see the Divine in everyone, looking beyond the superficialities of this life, our egos, perceptions, opinions, we are in a place of Bliss and Samadhi. What do you think?
