God is the greatest Accountant. Let’s see how
For that let’s first understand the concept of Karma.
What is Karma? The literal meaning of this word is ‘Action’ or a ‘deed’.
Every moment of every day we are creating Karma with every action and every thought. Every situation that’s occurring right now is a result of the past karma. Every action and reaction we are giving in this situation is gathering new karma for future outcomes.
It is said “To determine the cause from the past, look at the events as they manifest in the present. To know what will manifest in future, look at the causes that you are creating in the present.”
Now that we understand Karma, let’s see how the accounting process of it works.
Every time we do a good deed – it gets added up in our account as a credit. On the flip side, every time we do something that we aren’t particularly proud of, it appears as a debit entry in our account. To simplify further, we can use Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”.
These debits and credits unfold and manifest in our present life or future ones and they determine the quality of our lives. If we feel blessed and fortunate we are living our good karma that we have gathered before. When we feel unhappy and encounter unfortunate situations, we are paying for debit and the bad deeds.
This is not the kind of book-keeping one can cheat on. Not just because God is the Head of this Accounting Department and axiomatically this balance sheet. But because he has inserted a little bit of himself in us. Some of us call it our ‘Soul’. While others call it ‘Conscience’. It speaks to us in the form of our inner voice. It brings a smile of contentment when we do something that goes in the credit column and berates us when we do something that’s meant to go in the debit column.
All this causality of this balance sheet is governed by some universal rules or laws. Twelve in all. Knowing these just gives us some guidelines on how to operate in the big world of karma and reincarnation. These 12 rules are also meant to propel us in a direction where we automatically gravitate towards getting a higher credit rating in these Karmic books of accounts.
1. THE GREAT LAW
“As you sow, so shall you reap”.
This is also called the “Law of Cause and Effect”.
Or in other words whatever thoughts and actions you generate, will come back – good or bad.
2. THE LAW OF CREATION
“Life doesn’t just HAPPEN, it requires us to participate.”
We all have this great ability to create. If we want something for ourselves and to share with others, we have to go out there in the world and create it.
3. THE LAW OF HUMILITY
“Denial to ACCEPT what is, will still be WHAT IS.”
I think Buddhism explains this concept the best. To change anything, we first need to accept that it exists. Everyone we can call truly great in this world has had abundance of humility.
4. THE LAW OF GROWTH
“Our own growth is above any circumstance”
There is only one thing in the universe over which we have any real control – and that is our own action. When we choose our one action over another, we grow (or de-grow) in spirit.
5. THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY
“Our lives are our own doing”
What is happening around you is a mirror for what is happening within you; or in other words you are responsible for all of your life experiences, whether joyous or sorrowful.
6. THE LAW OF CONNECTION
“Everything and everyone in this universe connected”
There is a deep intricate circuitry that connects everything to everything else. Every deed leads to something somewhere. Absolutely nothing is random.
7. THE LAW OF FOCUS
“Our focus is our reality”
Human mind is like a torch. It can only shine on one thing at a time. So the quality of our focus and WHAT we choose to focus on, dictates the quality of our achievement in our lives.
8. THE LAW OF GIVING AND HOSPITALITY
“Let the intent of selflessness show in our behaviour”
We get several opportunities in the day to demonstrate kindness, altruism and philanthropic claim. How many of these opportunities do we really seize. This law claims that credit in your karmic balance sheet is achieved highest with this law.
9. THE LAW OF HERE AND NOW
“Present is our only GIFT”
Ruminating about the past causes depression. High focus on outcomes in the future causes us anxiety. If we hope to make any difference, any action we can take is RIGHT NOW. This is the moment over which we have the power to change the course of the future. No other moment.
10. THE LAW OF CHANGE
“History repeats itself until our actions change.”
If we keep running into the same kinds of problems, the universe is asking us to alter our strategy. If the infinity loop is to be broken, infliction of force is required to jump on another trajectory.
11. THE LAW OF PATIENCE AND REWARD
“To create something valuable, the input needs to be valuable.”
Law of karma posits that all benefits may not accrue immediately. We may work and work and work. Sometimes we feel that all effort is in vain. Reward WILL come. When the time is right according to the big cosmic plan.
Be patient. It’s not escaping the Big Man’s Eye.
12. THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE AND INSPIRATION
“We are all unique. What we can do, no one else can.”
We all are unique souls walking on earth. Hence we all have the ability to give our unique gift to the world.
Action taken in the direction of true passion yields good for not only for us but the whole world as our legacy in this world and that positive energy reverberates in the whole universe.
To conclude:
If there is one thing that transmigrates with our soul, it is this balance sheet of Karma. Not the wealth that we accumulate in our bank accounts.
The best way to live our life in my experience is this. When we are living the good times, express your gratitude and pledge to do more of good karma. When we find ourselves in unpleasant situations, express your gratitude that you are getting a chance to repay and clear off the debits of bad karma that have sitting in our karmic balance sheet.
However, these does exist a shortcut to wipe out all the outstanding debits of bad karma. That shortcut is called spirituality and selfless service. When we move towards focusing on developing our souls through spiritually and serving others with no selfish intent, we get a pass on a lot of bad karma that has been sitting in our balance sheets.
There will be a grand tally at the end of this journey. What balance sheet do you want to take with you?
Shruti Varma is a Counselling Psychologist. She is a Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Alumnus. Having held several leadership positions in various MNCs, Shruti is a leading Counsellor, Coach and Trainer in Emotions Management and Emotional Intelligence. Having been a practitioner of Yoga, she combines Yogic Sciences in her Counselling practice, Coaching as well as Trainings.
Sasha Shruti Varma is one of the leading Psychotherapists in India. She is a licensed practitioner in India and the UK registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. As a practitioner of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, she likes to combine the principles of Yogic Philosophy in her psychotherapy work. Sasha is also a leading Trainer and Coach for Emotional Intelligence in the corporate world.
If you have a question for her please write to us on contact@thedailybrunch.com.
