The Law of Karma According to Chopra

I've borrowed today's post from www.chopra.com. I thought the message was powerful and pertinent, especially at this time of year when we're giving thanks and reflecting on the year about to be put behind us.

The Law of Karma

The Law of Karma: Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. What we sow is what we reap. And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.

I will put the Law of Karma into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:

1. Today I will witness the choices I make in each moment. And in the mere witnessing of these choices, I will bring them to my conscious awareness. I will know that the best way to prepare for any moment in the future is to be fully conscious in the present.
2. Whenever I make a choice, I will ask myself two questions: "What are the consequences of this choice that I'm making?" and "Will this choice bring fulfillment and happiness to me and also to those who are affected by this choice?"
3. I will then ask my heart for guidance and be guided by its message of comfort or discomfort. If the choice feels comfortable, I will plunge ahead with abandon. If the choice feels uncomfortable, I will pause and see the consequences of my action with my inner vision. This guidance will enable me to make spontaneously correct choices for myself and for all those around me.

Daily Inspiration

"The distance isn't important; it is only the first step that is difficult." -- Marquise du Deffand

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I've recently made some big decisions, one of which that affected others, as well as me. The consequences of my decision for me were positive in the long-term, but pretty hard to take in the short. But I knew that I wouldn't be happy and find true fulfillment until I made the decision, as hard as it was.

The consequences for others—well, for one person in particular—were a lot harder. But under the circumstances, that couldn't be avoided.

So, when I go back and ask, "Will this choice bring fulfillment and happiness to me and also to those who are affected by this choice?" my answer is yes and no. I am fulfilled and happy with the decision, and when I asked my heart for guidance (which I did before making my decision), the answer I got was that I will experience a brief, short-term discomfort from the inevitable reaction of the other person, but that in the long-run, I would be much more comfortable (in this way, my life is a mirror of the above inspirational quote), so I did, in fact, "plunge" ahead with abandon.

But for the other person, she was clearly not fulfilled and happy, and my decision was clearly uncomfortable for her. However, in hindsight, this person brought all that on themselves through their actions over the past two years, so even though some of her friends have implied that Karma will come back to get me for what I've done, I can't help thinking that my decision was Karma coming back on her for her own actions.

Many people weren't aware of what those actions were, but I was. I was privy to a lot of behavior that made me morally and ethically uncomfortable to the point that I no longer trusted this person. Is that my fault? And even though my decision affected her badly, does that mean Karma will make me pay for what I've done? Or is this simply a case of Karma coming back around and now the slate is clean and I no longer have to carry the burden the knowledge of her actions and behavior put on me?

I guess only time will tell, but in my heart, I know I've done the right thing. If Karma sees otherwise, then I can't stop it from coming back on me later, but what I did came at great sacrifice to me, because I suffered for months before making this decision, and I suffered because I kept trying to find other ways of dealing with the situation than to do what I knew I had to do. Finally, I could no longer avoid the inevitable and "plunged" ahead.

However, going forward, I am going to keep the above Law of Karma posted on my bulletin board and will strive to live and make my decisions according to it.

Happy Reading and Writing!
-D