Taking Control of Your Life 

We must first take responsibility for who we are and learn to act in a way that ensures we achieve what we are really striving for.

Karma as Cause and Effect

The law of Karma indicates that there is an inviolable relationship of cause and effect in regard to all actions in the universe. As is the cause, so is the effect: as you sow, so shall you reap. This seems very simple at first, yet that is only the beginning of how karma works.

The ultimate result of the law of karma is that our present actions in our current life reflect actions done in past lives that we do not remember. This causes us to come into certain experiences in life that we feel are not the result of anything that we ourselves have actually done or are responsible for. For this reason, karma and its effects can be hard to discern. The chain of karma connects us not only to our own past lives but also to the karmas of all living beings.

Karma is not a matter of reward and punishment for good or bad deeds. It is simply a movement in natural forces. If you put your hand into a fire, you will get burned. It is not a matter of morality.

Karma, Destiny & Free-will

The law of karma means that we are free to create our own destiny in life. Karma means action and refers to the results of our previous deeds. It does not mean destiny or indicate that our lives are predetermined.

Karma and Time:
We create our destiny in the field of time, which means that who we are today is a result of what we did yesterday, extending into previous lives that we have forgotten. The shadow of past life karmas hangs over us and must be understood before it can be removed.

Karma and Dharma.
We create our destiny in the field of universal law. For example, we are free to put our hand into a fire or not, but we are not free to put our hand into a fire and not get burned. This means that if we violate universal laws that we will suffer. Unfortunately, the results of certain actions manifest only after time and so our immediate reaction may be incorrect. When we come down with an illness, for example, it may be the result of wrong actions over a long period of time, like taking too many sweets leading to diabetes.

Collective nature of Karma.
We are co-creators of karma. We as individuals live in a certain era and cultural field that affects our actions. For example, someone with certain career potential in our society today may have a different career than if they were born a thousand years ago. Similarly, we can be affected by collective karmas extending to major social changes, innovations, or conflicts.

Assuming Karmic Responsibility in Life

Only when we assume responsibility for ourselves in life can we effectively change who we are and alter how we live in a harmonious manner. This requires recognizing that we are responsible for who we are and what our karma is. in blaming others, we give away our own power and deprive ourselves of the motivation necessary to improve our lives. We are not victims and cannot blame others for our condition in life, even though the actions of other people do affect us. The attitude of being a victim weakens us, inhibits positive change, and gets us caught in the past.

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. It provides great relief and opens up a new horizon of transformation. When it occurs we can more easily observe and understand our karma and not simply get caught in its reactions.

We can ask ourselves key questions relating to our karmic responsibility:

• Who am I blaming for my condition and state of well-being in life?

• How can I achieve greater responsibility for myself in life, materially, emotionally, and spiritually?

• How can I best help others?

A pledge of Karmic Responsibility:

I hereby (recite name) do formally accept karmic responsibility for my life: for who I am and where I am going, at both outer and inner levels of body, mind and consciousness, in the external world and in my own inner being.

I recognize that what I become in life is primarily the product of my own values, attitudes, and actions and that I cannot blame anyone else for my condition or development. The external world can influence me, but the ultimate power of decision and taking on of consequences for what I do belongs primarily to myself. I will not let the world overcome me.

This karmic responsibility is not simply to me as a human ego but to my reincarnating soul and carries the effects of my actions as a soul from past to future lives. I accept that result.

I will strive to uphold my soul’s purpose to grow in consciousness and aid in the unfoldment of consciousness for the world as a whole.

I respect my duties to others but I will not make them responsible for what I do or what I experience.

I accept the consequences of my actions and will strive to make my contributions positive and helpful for all.

May I uphold my role in the cosmic order of Consciousness!

Hari OM Tat Sat!