Karma has become a favorite explanation for bad endings, particularly among those we believe wronged us. A former friend experiences a nasty break up? "Karma got him!" Or, we treat karma like an attack dog and want it to go after certain people. "Watch out, karma will get you!" It's a little strange that we want to conjure up a nebulous being to mete out what we believe to be justice.
But is there really a universal abacus-keeper who tallies up who deserves what?
Traditionally, karma is a Hindu/Buddhist belief that "...the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences." When framed that way, karma is similar to the Christian belief of heaven, purgatory, and hell. Regardless of how we frame it, our accelerated version of retribution isn't exactly karma at all - it's more of a reflection of how we wish crime and punishment worked.
And without challenging any spiritual beliefs, I do think that karma exists in a very simple form and while we're still here in this life: We tend to be treated the way we treat others.
Have you ever noticed someone who has a very grim view of humanity and treats everyone, including strangers, dismissively? They often find themselves alone, which in their minds just reinforces that humans cannot be relied upon. Similarly, we all know people who naturally shine their light on others and in doing so, receive love and grace back in spades.
I'm not saying that people are as simple as just being "good" or "bad." What constitutes good or bad can be a matter of opinion, and we're also subject to good or bad behavior depending on where we are in life. Humans are way more complicated than being all one characteristic, no matter what it is.
I'm also not saying that bad things don't happen to good people - of course they do. But, those who have shone their light tend to be surrounded by support when the bad does happen. Call that karma if you like, but it's basically that old "Do unto others" adage - the golden rule that stretches across cultures and spiritual beliefs.
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