What is Karma?

Karma is the law of cause and effect. What you sow, so shall you reap. To minimize negative karma, do not do anything deemed negative even though you may feel it is right — such as killing roaches, ants, or even mosquitoes. To maximize positive karma, do something good even when you do not want to, especially when fear, anger, or jealousy arises.

Be more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Through this awareness, you will naturally recognize whether you are generating negative or positive karma.

Cultivating Good Karma

The fastest way to cultivate good karma (or blessings) is through awareness of our surroundings. For example, avoid walking carelessly and stepping on small insects. Go out of your way to make someone smile or feel happy — especially the less fortunate, which brings great blessings. Help elderly people cross the road, cook for the underprivileged, and show mercy to everyone.

Practice gratitude for all the lessons life brings, whether through being hurt, cheated, or scolded. Being in service to others is part of Dharma. During the time of Jesus, he said, “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap the left as well.” Dharma has always been challenging.

The Secret

Forget the goodness you have done as if it were as natural as breathing. Do not count or remember your good deeds. Do you remember how many times you breathe in a day? No — because breathing is natural and necessary.

Earlier, awareness referred to being conscious of our surroundings. Here, not being aware of breathing refers to natural actions that occur effortlessly. These are not contradictions — they refer to different states of awareness. Please do not confuse the two.

Imagine your cultivation becoming so natural that you forget whether it was difficult, sweaty, or time-consuming — as if you have been doing it for many lifetimes. Even if you do not seek blessings, they will still come naturally. Be mindful of the super-ego, which can arise subtly without awareness.

When good deeds happen without effort or sacrifice — simply because you were present — the blessings are moderate. These are considered small good deeds. Both small and big good deeds are necessary, though the actions described at the beginning are considered substantial deeds.