Karma is the main Vedic law of life, which demonstrates the interdependency of all creatures and actions in the universe. Today, karma is a commonly used term, but it is rarely understood in its proper context.
In essence, our soul is the DNA of our karmic being. Through it, we transmit our karmic tendencies (samskaras) from one body to another. Our karmic code is just as important as our genetic code - we cannot fully understand who we are through our genetic code alone, which is the code of the body.
Vedic wisdom and its disciplines teach us that our lives are a result of our own actions. Every action has a consequence, which is what karma means. It is the law of cause and effect. A conscious action does not create karma; that is created through reaction, which is a result of an unconscious act based on the ego. Every action we take creates a memory, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally. In time, karmic flow is reflected in the actions of all beings. The movement of time is an essential part of life, as it is the incessant motion of karma. Karma is neither good nor bad, nor a punishment nor a blessing. It is simply the flow of natural forces. This is the result of forces that we have set in motion and for which we are ultimately responsible. Karma simply makes us aware of the lessons we need to learn, and from there we will feel blessed with the breakthroughs our lives have made, because if we hadn't faced those lessons, we wouldn't be who we are today.
Nothing is accidental here. The whole physical existence is happening between cause and consequence. No matter what kind of karma you gathered in the past, this moment’s karma is always in your hands.
Sadhguru"Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny"
Lord Ganesha, who teaches us proper management of our Karma
Through our own actions, we have karmic responsibility over our lives - which means we are responsible for ourselves, as well as in some ways for the world at large. There is no one to blame, because by blaming others, we take our power away from ourselves and undermine harmonious and positive progress. For us to improve, we must also change our karmic code. To do so, we need motivation, concentration, and expertise. To transcend our karma, we must change the way we live, breathe, think, and perceive, by altering our egos and self-concepts. Taking karmic responsibility in one's life is crucial and empowers one to change one's destiny and consciousness, and even go beyond karma. The practice of Sadhana or spiritual practice, through Yogic practices such as meditation, pranayama and mantras, enables us to accept our karmic responsibility and move beyond it. While we cannot change karma, we can drastically alter the degree and level of its manifestation, sometimes in drastic ways. Karmic responsibility makes us free.
Once we accept our karmic responsibility in life, we are able to forgive others and let go of the past. We can make positive changes in the present moment. We recognize that we are responsible for the world in which we live. Accepting our responsibility for our karma allows us to take control of our lives and make meaningful and lasting changes.
Dr. David Frawley
Our karmic code can be discovered in great detail using Vedic Astrology by understanding the movement of time and karma within you. Both Vedic Astrology and Āyurveda can help with karmic rectification, and both can be applied in Vedic Counselling. It is the foundation of Vedic Counselling to teach the person the significance of their karma. We must understand the law of karma in order to comprehend our own karma. Āyurveda helps us adjust our physical and mental habits, while Vedic Astrology helps us harmonize our planetary types, bringing mind-body in balance. Vedic Astrology has a significant therapeutic aspect through astrological remedies such as planetary gems, mantras, yantras and meditation on planetary deities. As a result of devotion, karma is destroyed and spiritual liberation is achieved. Vedic Astrology works as a result of its methods of timing, such as planetary cycles (dashas), annual charts, and transits (gocharas) in relation to the deeper samskaras (tendencies) that may be out of balance with our planetary types.
If we know what karma is, how it works, and what methods and tools we can use to manage it in a positive way, we can certainly improve our karma in life. We can transcend our karma by becoming aware, reflecting, serving, giving, and doing things that bring out our best qualities. Be sure to use the gifts we have been given by our strong planets. We are here to share them with others, so make sure you shine them to the world!
If you want to understand karma, how it manifests in your life, and how you can manage it in a positive and harmonious way, book a Vedic Astrology or a Vedic Counselling consultation with me.
Hari OM!
Special thanks to Jagadish Vasudev (known as Sadhguru) for sharing his knowledge, and especially to Dr. David Frawley for his profound and timeless teachings.