The 12 Laws of Karma

Karma is the judge of our acts, the invisible and transcendent energy that is derived from our behaviors that accumulates consequences and payments in accordance with them. Karma simply tells us that the forces we put in motion ten minutes ago, or ten lives ago, will return to us.

Karma becomes the energy we use to cleanse the soul until we reach perfection. While karma symbolizes the responsibility and payment for our actions, reincarnation gives us the opportunity to move forward.

Accordingly, we have the freedom to behave as we want from the first embodiment and, therefore, accumulate this energy. The creation of good and bad, intentional or unintentional karma dictates what we have to face and solve in life. Our first goal is to learn, through experience, to be better .

The Law of Karma contains 12 laws that dictate how we respond to our actions, thoughts and feelings:

1. The great law, or the law of cause and effect. This law is very present in our lives, even though we don’t know it. It simply states that we will reap what we sow. What we put in, the Universe will return to us. The negative energy sent to others will return again to you, but ten times stronger, because when we sow wind we reap whirlwinds. Karma is the judge of our deeds that helps us reflect on our sufferings.
2. The law of creation. Life requires that we participate in it. We are one with the universe inside and outside, we are part of the current birth of nature and our lives are reproduced like the rest of natural cycles. What surrounds us gives us clues to our inner state . Create the options you want to have in your life.
3. The law of humility.  What you refuse to accept will continue to happen to you. If all you see before you is someone or something you view as an enemy of something negative, then you are not in a superior level of existence. To fulfill this law means to accept no right to superiority.
4. The law of growth. Wherever you go, there you will be.  For us to grow spiritually, it is we who must change and not the people, places or things around us. Only we have control over ourselves in our lives. If we change within, our lives will also change, and this must be done carefully so that it results in karmic benefit.  Don’t forget to love yourself.
5. The law of responsibility. Each time something bad happens, there’s something bad in you. What surrounds us, we reflect; and we reflect what’s around us. It’s very important to assume responsibility for what is in your life.
6. The law of connection.  If something we do seems insignificant, it’s important to know that it’s connected with the universe.  Each step leads to the next. Someone does the initial work so that someone else can obtain something.  Neither the first nor the last step is more or less important than the other because both are necessary to accomplish the task.  We are all connected in the past, present and future.
7. The law of focus. You can’t think about two things at the same time. You must climb step by step. When we lose our sense of direction, insecurity and anger are awakened. 
8. The law of giving and hospitality. If you believe that something is true, in some moment in your life you will be called upon to show what is true.  Give and put into practice what you have learned.
9. The law of here and now. Looking back and living chained to the past is what keeps us from enjoying the present and being completely in the here and now. Old thoughts, habits and dreams are what keep us from renewing our soul.
10. The law of change. History repeats itself until we learn the lessons necessary to change our path.
11. The law of patience and reward. All rewards require effort in the beginning. The greatest reward is that which demands the most dedication, patience and persistence. Love of our place in the world rewards our effort in its good time, when we have learned the importance of these values.
12. The law of importance and inspiration. The value of something is the direct result of the energy and intention that you put into it. Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the totality. Mediocre contributions have no impact on the totality; they cancel each other out. Putting your whole heart into each act will obtain the necessary value.

Whether you believe or not in the philosophy of Karma, sometimes it seems that the only thing of which we can be sure is that spring or winter will return but, in truth, as Voltaire said, “It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection.”

Image courtesy of v.s.anandhakrishna