One of the 3 universal truths that I mentioned when I outlined Buddhism in my last post is that of karma. My colloquial way of stating this truth is “We reap what we sow.” Like the universal truths of conservation and impermanence, everyone accepts this at least on some base physical level. We know that the sum of matter and energy in the universe is a constant: conservation. We know experientially that everything breaks down or changes: impermanence. We also know that the effort or lack thereof we put in today has a direct correlation with the result or lack of one we get out tomorrow: karma.

For some Buddhists, this is as far as they like to take any of these truths, and that is perfectly fine. However, I have found incredible value in pushing these a bit further out. I don’t just believe that matter and energy are conserved, but that consciousness is conserved as well. I don’t just believe that my conscious beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors right now affect my body and mind later in life, but that this effect carries on to the conscious mindstream even after “I” have ceased to exist.

Both of the concepts mentioned above are part of the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth. I don’t talk about rebirth much because the dialogue can quickly devolve into rank speculation about the nature of reality both past and future. However, skillfully understanding karma I think can be incredibly empowering while also keeping one centered in the present.

To address the question posed in the title, my simple answer would be: is it skillful? If so, it is an empowering belief. If not, it is superstitious nonsense. In the context of karma, what is and is not skillful will obviously vary from person to person. With that in mind, here are some applications of karma I find to be unskillful:

• “What goes around, comes around” – I don’t fundamentally disagree with this sentiment, but I think it is often applied far too narrowly and usually with vengeful overtones. Corollaries to this would be “he’ll get what’s coming to him” and “served him right.” I find the anticipation of or pleasure in someone’s comeuppance to be ruminations that take us away from a place of lovingkindness and equanimity.
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• “A person’s degree of success or happiness in their current life is directly linked to a previous life” – To the degree that we should judge anyone, I believe it should only be related to their current actions, beliefs, and attitudes in THIS life, not some hypothetical former existence. Also, this sentiment stinks of determinism, which, at least in its extreme form, I would counsel everyone to run away from at a thousand miles an hour! (No offense to Sam Harris, Robert Sapolsky, or Alex O’Connor – I love all of you!)
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• “Good karma is a result of good deeds done for others, while bad karma results from intentional harm caused to others” – No, no, no! This may be one source of karma, but not the only one, and not the most fundamental one. The reason I react so forcefully to this popular idea is that it implies a rigid distinction between myself and others. I believe one of the most skillful and empowering things a person can do is work on deconstructing this division, either by eliminating our sense of self or expanding it to include as many people and things around us as possible.

So, if I don’t subscribe to the above classic understandings of karma, then what does it mean to me? Put simply, that there are eternal implications related to how I show up to each and every moment of my life. Also, that the more difficult, challenging, or painful the circumstance is in which I find myself, the greater the potential for positive karma. I don’t get hung up on exactly how this manifests or what exactly the nature of consciousness is, only that it DOES manifest and its vehicle IS consciousness.

For me, especially in the context of major depression, anxiety, and shame, this belief has been one of the most empowering beliefs I have ever adopted. I want to be frank: this belief definitely has some costs associated with it, principally related to explaining what I do and don’t mean by the word karma with other people that may be unfamiliar or even antagonistic to the idea.

However, at this point, the benefits FAR outweigh the costs. I think that is what acting skillfully or living truthfully is all about. What about you? Do you have an idea of karma that actually limits you? Are you rejecting this concept solely because it is unfamiliar or requires some maintenance?

The question I hope you ask yourself is, “Is this belief skillful?” The answer may be no, and if so, that is cool. But if the answer is yes, whether on this topic or anything else, don’t let aversion to change cause you to avoid a belief that could supercharge your life.

Namaste.