Karma by another name...Cause and Effect, Reap What You Sow & The Law of Attraction

There are many ideas and interpretations of Karma, but in it's most basic form it comes down to this:

Do good things and good things will happen to you. Do bad things and bad things will happen to you.

Some say that Karma acts quickly (hours, days, weeks or months) and others that the Karma you 'save up' will determine who~ and even what~ you are in your next life. Whatever you believe it's a good rule to live by, I think, reminding us to be kind and giving.

Many people frown on the name Karma, thinking it 'hippy' and 'new age' when almost every belief system has a version of it with a different name.

Many don't realise but the concept of Karma is even a significant part of science. Scientists work with the knowledge that with every action there is a reaction and that with every effect there is a cause.

Quantum mechanics states that everything is created from something and that energy merely passes from one form to another. You cannot create something out of nothing. So with that in mind that means that good and bad things don't just happen, they have a cause and often that cause is something we have done. A popular name for this nowadays is...

Since the release of the book and film 'The Secret', the Law of Attraction has never been so popular.

Taken a step further the LOA states that every thought, action and emotion we have puts out an energy into the world and acts like a magnet to whatever we are focused on. Although where a magnet attracts it's opposite, the LOA works like for like....so be careful what you wish for!

A common question by those that don't believe in it is "So you think I asked to have these bad things happen to me?". My answer is some yes, some no. Sadly sad things like death are a part of nature and at some point we will all know the pain of loss. But I think the main lesson the LOA is trying to teach is how you deal with situations will determine what happens next and the way I always look at it is...surely it's better to give something a try with the possibility, however small, of a good outcome than to not even try with no chance at all. 1% chance of success is still a chance. 0% chance is hopeless.

For example two people who get a disease but who deal with it in different ways. One accepts it, doesn't fight it in any way and is resolved to it's outcome will surely get what they asked for. But for the other person who researches, believes and doesn't give up might just stumble upon something never thought of before and not only change their own life but the lives of millions of others in the same situation.

Some say the Law of Atrraction is a dangerous thing, promising that if you just think about something it will be yours so you can sit back, relax and not bother trying. Thw whole concept is actually much more subtle than that and I think the phrase 'You Reap What You Sow' can help explain this one...

What is actually meant is that it's your frame of mind that will determine what action you take next which will change the outcome of the situation. If you sow some mouldy seeds (have a thought) and leave them to it, not bothering to check if they are getting enough sunlight or to water them chances are they will not grow because you haven't provided the right conditions for success. Now if you sow some healthy seeds, look after them by making sure they have the right soil, protect them from pests (outside negative influences) enough water and sunlight, you are nurturing that seed and giving it the best chance of being a strong, healthy and fruitful plant.

It's all about the action. If you are in a bad, defeated frame of mind you will not be in a position to take the right action towards your ideal goal. If you want money but keep saying 'why bother nothing I do works anyway' or 'what's the use it's spent on bills as soon as I get it' you wont bother taking any positive action towards getting more money. But if you want money and say 'what skills have I got to solve this' or 'when I've got more money I'll start a savings account' you're motivated to taking a positive action towards your goal.

The biggest downfall of those trying to live by Karma is they expect self-gain and they want it now!

There is nothing wrong with wanting a comfortable life, wealth, health and happiness...especially when it is put to good use...it's only natural to be honest. But don't lose sight of the little things, the glimpses of beauty, happiness and what you already have. In the western world we are so blessed with unbelievable riches and you don't have to have millions in the bank to own them. Most of us have a roof over our heads, plenty of food and modern technology at our fingertips. Being grateful for what you have is the first step towards good Karma.

As with reaping what you sow, seeds don't sprout instantly and neither does karma. The majority of people trying the Law of Attraction give up quickly not realising that their seed had already taken root and was just about to break the surface of the soil, when the conditions for growing were taken away. Keeping focused and having patience will bring rewards. Believe!

In essence the whole concept of Karma, reaping what you sow, LOA or whatever name you give it, comes down to taking responsibility for our own actions and remembering that everything has a consequence.

If you are aggressive, rude, deflated or miserable why should anyone be any different back to you? Bad manners aren't endearing. If you do something kind~ especially unexpected~ people remember it and will remember you for it. It's quite a buzz to do random acts of kindness as Danny Wallace (author of 'Yes Man') admits in his hilariously funny and touching book 'Join Me'.

I'll admit the hardest part of all of this is not letting other's bad actions effect you. One way to combat this is to trust that Karma is working for you and them in just the same way. There are many other techniques useful to protect yourself from other's negativity but that's another hub. Just quickly though my personal favourite is to imagine a bubble around me (with glitter and rainbow colours and everything) that anything negative, hurtful or even plain annoying can't pass through and bounces off. Always puts me in a better mood, knowing these harmful things can't reach me :)

Peace & Love

~Kaz x