The concept of Karma in the philosophy of yoga is a well-known term. People use it in everyday language: “this is my karma” or “such a person has a difficult karma.”
In general, it is understood that when we act or think in a certain way, the response of the Universe will manifest (both in good and bad). We can understand this with simple examples, such as: if I decide to eat a lot of sweets, I will have a stomachache, isn’t it true? No one is “cursing” me… through experience, I understand that this is a truth and a response for me. And I can then decide whether I will eat and feel unwell or moderate and feel well.
What is sometimes not understood is that this response is not always so direct or linear. And what people sometimes do not see is that even the worst material situation of a person is not always an indication of “bad karma,” and not always is a rich and healthy person blessed only with “good karma.” Usually, in almost all situations, karmas are mixed. I have met beautiful, sensitive, rich, and intelligent people who threw themselves out of the window… and I have met people living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, full of joy for life and a desire to learn and improve. Things are not always as we think and judge.
Even the worst material situation of a person is not always an indication of “bad karma,” and not always is a rich and healthy person blessed only with “good karma.”
I believe that, for example, people with greater material difficulties in life have a role in sensitizing those more materially privileged. I am sure that if we have possibilities, a home, food, security, health, and are well with everything essential guaranteed, we also have the responsibility and duty to help others who may be in a less favorable situation.
I also believe that often we choose the type of karma we want to face in this life, and not always someone who has “everything” in life will continue that way forever. Depending on how a person acts in this world, in the next life, they may have a different situation, always for learning and moving forward on the journey. And vice versa. It is not about punishment; it is simply a Universal law that applies to all of us.
We should not, of course, passively accept situations of violence or extreme poverty, saying, “this is my karma, or his or hers…,” but observe what is happening and act wisely with the aim of improving our own situation or that of others.
According to Paramahansa Yogananda, my spiritual teacher, when we enter superconsciousness in the Divine Being, beyond the mind, beyond emotions, in a state of calm and peace, in Divine Bliss, we are beyond even karma and are free. He encourages us to enter deep meditation daily, identify ourselves less with the ego, and remember our Infinite Self, unlimited and no longer conditioned by anything. We simply Are. Hong-So. Om Guru Om.
Raquel Bhavani
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