What goes around, comes around

Karma "act, action, performance" and is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect.

According to Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, we produce Karma in four ways:

* through thoughts
* through words
* through actions that we perform ourselves
* through actions others do under our instructions

Everything that we have ever thought, spoken, done or caused is Karma; as is also that which we think, speak or do this very moment.

Go every thought, word, action or deed is karma, both good (positive) and bad (negative). For me, the good karma is all good and my focus isn't there. When I refer to karma, I am personally, specifically referring to past life cell memory, limited, negative karma. Every action, deed, word, thought we experience or express now is a reaction to something we have done in the past, either in this life or a previous one. Also by our actions, thoughts, words and deeds now, we are creating our karma for the future.

Simply: What goes around comes around. What you sow, so shall you reap.

My focus isn't on whether or not it is something I did in this life time or a previous one, as for me, my experience has been that it gets played out the same. Most people on this planet at this time are either, paying off a karmic debt, playing it out, or clearing it. Which means we are all doing all three all the time, accept those that a specifically taking steps to clear it. I'd rather clear it than live it repeatedly.

If you recognize a pattern in your life, it's karma. When trying to deal with it, you can

1. Accept - bad karma is a kind of self inflicted penance...so accept that things aren't going your way - accept with an open heart. Pray. Say 'thank you', go with the flow and then:

2. Learn - karma is a self-inflicted teaching tool, - so look deeply to find any lessons you can. Look for the pattern, examine it, see what the message is and look for a reason...what are you to know, to learn?

3. Be good and forgiving - to others, as well as yourself. Bad karma is somewhat unavoidable in the immediate future since it is already programmed (by your higher self) to go through. But good deeds and FORGIVING others will help clear the future karmic road.

4. Remember - karma is an opportunity for increased personal growth. Try to see it as a positive challenge. Be open to lessons, open to growth, open to change.... Most of us do not change willingly, so of course things have to happen or come up in order to shift our perspective, our life, our thinking, etc. Don't fight it. :)

Also, think of this: any time you are angry, frustrated, hurt, etc. It's karma.

I highly recommend the movie Illusion with Kirk Douglas that shows patterns and talks about the Akashic Records.