The Psychotic Scrivener

The shortest explanation of karma that I know is ‘what goes around, comes around’. And how I interpret this is: The results of our actions usually show up down the road.

Although karma is mostly described through Buddhism or Hinduism, it can also be found in the Bible:

Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what he sows. ~Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

The typical rule of thumb for creating good karma is applying The Golden Rule (or also called The Ethic of Reciprocity) in our lives. This simply states that we are to treat others how we would want to be treated ourselves.

Or to quote the Bible once again:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets ~Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

I believe in karma. Many times believing in karma has kept me calm in frustrating situations. It has also at times, made me take a moment and think before I act. Karma, I believe, ensures justice for everyone’s behaviors and decisions… good and bad. I know karma ‘sees’ everything, but best of all, I know it always has my back.

I found this list of instructions for life and thought I would share it:

“20 Ways to Get Good Karma” by the Dalai Lama:

1.  Take into account that great love & great achievements involve great risk
2.  When you lose, don’t lose the lesson
3.  Follow the three R’s:
        – Respect for self
        – Respect for others
        – Responsibility for all your actions
4.  Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck
5.  Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly
6.  Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship
7.  When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take steps to correct it
8.  Spend some time alone every day
9.  Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values
10.  Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer
11.  Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older & think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a 2nd time
12.  A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life
13.  Disagreements with loved ones: deal only with current situations & don’t bring up the past
14.  Share your knowledge, it’s a way to achieve immortality
15.  Be gentle with the earth
16.  Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before
17.  The best relationship is one where your love for each other exceeds your need for each other
18.  Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it
19.  If you want others to be happy, practice compassion
20.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion

And just one final quote:

“As a single drop of water fills a bucket so do small deeds of evil; as a single drop of water fills a bucket so do small deeds of good.” ~Buddha