Do you believe in karma?

Under*Over · Sep 24, 2019 at 10:03 AM

That if you are a good person, do good things, the universe will try to help you and work in your favor and if you do bad things eventually the universe will settle the score?

I mean both in a “if you study for a teat you will get an A- cause and effect things” and a “something more” thing. Maybe in a religious sense. Maybe not. But something out there- something working to make sure that people get what they deserve?

Maybe not always. There have been of course some very unfair things that have happened to people and I dont want to take away from that. But. Do you think your actions have deeper meaning? Or that meaning can sort of come and take action for you.

Do you believe there is any ANY fairness to the world or is it all arbitrary?

5stacks · Sep 24, 2019 at 12:13 PM

I'd like to believe in it but I can't.

Aviza · Sep 24, 2019 at 04:43 PM

I do believe it happens. But my mom always says my karma sucks, I get screwed over all the time. All the time. So I either did something terrible in a previous life to people or karma doesn't exist. I give people rides, I give money when I have it to those who need it. I'm always offering a helping hand yet I get sucker punched regularly.

lizardlady · Sep 24, 2019 at 05:06 PM

I believe that what we put out into the world comes back to us. It helps me get through life believing that.
At the same time I believe crappy things TV hat we don't deserve also happen. Kind of a messed up world view, huh?

yagr · Sep 25, 2019 at 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Under*Over

That if you are a good person, do good things, the universe will try to help you and work in your favor and if you do bad things eventually the universe will settle the score?

I mean both in a “if you study for a teat you will get an A- cause and effect things” and a “something more” thing. Maybe in a religious sense. Maybe not. But something out there- something working to make sure that people get what they deserve?

Maybe not always. There have been of course some very unfair things that have happened to people and I dont want to take away from that. But. Do you think your actions have deeper meaning? Or that meaning can sort of come and take action for you.

Do you believe there is any ANY fairness to the world or is it all arbitrary?

Karma (Sanskrit) or kamma (Pali), literally means 'cause and effect'. The Western world has tried to usurp the word and have created their own definition such as you've described, some sort of universal justice. There is no idea of 'fairness' or 'justice' in the definition.

That is not to say that there is no fairness or justice out there - just that if there is, it's called something else. If I let a stranger into my home to feed them and give them a bed to sleep in for the night, that is an act of kindness. I might earn a sincere thank you or I might get robbed. Either would be my karma - the effect of letting someone into my home that I did not know.

Sep 25, 2019 at 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Under*Over

That if you are a good person, do good things, the universe will try to help you and work in your favor and if you do bad things eventually the universe will settle the score?

I mean both in a “if you study for a teat you will get an A- cause and effect things” and a “something more” thing. Maybe in a religious sense. Maybe not. But something out there- something working to make sure that people get what they deserve?

Maybe not always. There have been of course some very unfair things that have happened to people and I dont want to take away from that. But. Do you think your actions have deeper meaning? Or that meaning can sort of come and take action for you.

Do you believe there is any ANY fairness to the world or is it all arbitrary?

Yes, I believe in karma and its existence in both cause and effect and other things. Almost like a wave of energy, karma happens in positive and negative ways. Unfortunately, it can effect ourselves and anyone in its path. From my POV, it is not a "if this then that thing", so put away the 'airhorn' please. Never should we fear Karma, only accept graciously. Left behind are thoughts of things like missed opportunity and regret. We cannot control karma, we can only control ourselves. Know your self, your loved ones and your values. Deal with everyday and let karma happen.

Sep 25, 2019 at 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yagr

Karma (Sanskrit) or kamma (Pali), literally means 'cause and effect'. The Western world has tried to usurp the word and have created their own definition such as you've described, some sort of universal justice. There is no idea of 'fairness' or 'justice' in the definition.

Yes, I think I get what you mean by social justice rather than a universal justice. People live with a "tit for tat" mentally. Please explain how doing someone wrong behind someones back, or to their face, makes up for the wrong done to you, intentionally or intentionally. Two wrongs and you are both at a loss. That is not what karma is, definitely not.

eskielover · Sep 25, 2019 at 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yagr

Karma (Sanskrit) or kamma (Pali), literally means 'cause and effect'. The Western world has tried to usurp the word and have created their own definition such as you've described, some sort of universal justice. There is no idea of 'fairness' or 'justice' in the definition.

That is not to say that there is no fairness or justice out there - just that if there is, it's called something else. If I let a stranger into my home to feed them and give them a bed to sleep in for the night, that is an act of kindness. I might earn a sincere thank you or I might get robbed. Either would be my karma - the effect of letting someone into my home that I did not know.

Cause & effect.....consequences for actions....definitely.....but for some it is only if they get caught.

I have a more long term view regarding ultimate consequences that goes far beyond karma

WovenGalaxy · Sep 25, 2019 at 10:29 PM

I believe that our actions and words have an effect on our circumstances. I do not really believe that something randomly bad will happen to us from the universe though if we are mean. If I am mean, I feel guilty and regretful after. Or I have made enemies. That is my karma. I do not think some god in the sky or even the universe will send a plague my way.

I like yagr's definition of karma as well.

bpcyclist · Sep 27, 2019 at 07:34 PM

I believe in the general concept. Unfortunately, it does not always apply. Wonderful people who have done wonderful things get absolutely destroyed by life all the time. It makes me sad.

Sep 29, 2019 at 04:09 PM

Yes I have seen it happen several times.

1. When I worked in accounting my boss laid everyone off, including a man who was about to have surgery for his infant son. He told them all it was because he was getting rid of a a wing of his business. Well kind of... he got rid of some of it to attract a company to buy his company out. Laying off all those workers (many who got paid the most) made his company look more attractive. His company got bought out and they kept him, his wife, and all his minions on as employees. On my last day with the company (I resigned to go to school) the company that bought his out -- fired him, his wife, and his minions and had them all escorted out by security.

2. Later I went to work for someone who lied his butt off about what the working conditions would be. I quit immediately as my gut told me to. I worked for 4 weeks for him and he didn't pay me. 10 years later, his business is gone, he has been disbarred and guess what... he is dragged in, in front of me... in handcuffs... oh and he was convicted and I saw it.

I agree, however, you can be a good person and karma doesn't seem to work but you know... sometimes I have found out amazing things about people that are in their background, like you find out that the cashier that you adore at your local supermarket was previously in jail for robbery and though they seemed to turn themselves around you can never know what kind of karmic debt they are working off. At the same time my former boss was terrible to me but in his persona life he adopted a child from an underprivileged background.

superm4n · Oct 01, 2019 at 11:13 AM

I think most people get the natural consequences of their actions. karma is based on buddhism, another man made religion. Whereas people getting the natural consequences of their actions over time makes much more sense realistically.

Oct 02, 2019 at 01:29 AM

The just-world fallacy: Just-World Hypothesis | Encyclopedia of Psychology

Welp, to me, karma feels like it has a lot of just-world fallacy undertones with hopes for revenge (as opposed to justice). I sometimes catch myself wishing "karma" on someone who has hurt me, or on myself when I do a good deed. But these checks and balances leave no room for making mistakes, being authentic, being yourself, or forgiveness.

I believe more in realistic justice - where patterns of continuous harm need to be brought to light in order to address a wrong that should be corrected, prevented, and/or eliminated.

Believing in karma or not, it is possible that it may exist. But there's this cognitive dissonance in believing in a just world or believing in karma. It's like imagining revenge or pseudo-justice when you feel powerless to fight back after a harm has been done to you or to someone you love.

So, in short (or tldr): no, I don't believe in karma, but there are times I feel like I want to.

sadveiledbride · Oct 02, 2019 at 01:50 AM

To an extent perhaps, if people continue having negative attitudes things may not look up for them. However, as others in this thread have said, some terrible things happen to good/neutral people. Do I believe in a supernatural force that rains down on bad people? No, but I believe in the same actions result in the same outcome. The whole forcing yourself to be positive/'fake it til you make it' attitude is pretty toxic and harmful though.

sarahsweets · Oct 03, 2019 at 02:03 AM

I believe in putting out positive energy helps facilitate positive experiences. And negative energy facilitates negative experiences. But I believe that this is because of what I choose to do, not an unknown force or universal action.

*Beth* · Oct 05, 2019 at 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yagr

Karma (Sanskrit) or kamma (Pali), literally means 'cause and effect'. The Western world has tried to usurp the word and have created their own definition such as you've described, some sort of universal justice. There is no idea of 'fairness' or 'justice' in the definition.

That is not to say that there is no fairness or justice out there - just that if there is, it's called something else. If I let a stranger into my home to feed them and give them a bed to sleep in for the night, that is an act of kindness. I might earn a sincere thank you or I might get robbed. Either would be my karma - the effect of letting someone into my home that I did not know.

I am so glad you posted this. I cringe at how odd the definition of karma is in the western world.

mugwort2 · Oct 05, 2019 at 08:47 PM

Yes I believe in Karma. Over 20 years ago a man who lived with me, ie he moved in to make a long story short, mentally, emotionally and physically abused me. About 5 years or so the city where he lives claimed he owed over $600,000. Yeah Karma sure can be a *****.

*Beth* · Oct 06, 2019 at 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugwort2

Yes I believe in Karma. Over 20 years ago a man who lived with me, ie he moved in to make a long story short, mentally, emotionally and physically abused me. About 5 years or so the city where he lives claimed he owed over $600,000. Yeah Karma sure can be a *****.

But then, how do you justify karma if something bad happens to you, and you haven't done anything to wrong anyone?

Oct 13, 2019 at 12:51 PM

Karma is like a small ripple, where one thing effects another and another and another. Eventually the ripple stops and a new one is created. Each ripple is independent but also reacts (absorbs or reflects) to the ripple beside itself. When a small action is repeated, the ripple grows and multiples.

When someone does a good deed, they should in turn expect a good deed to be returned to them. That is a healthy exchange. When one does a good deed and does not expect a return, that is a ripple they have created. One does a good deed of tremendous amount, and do not expect a return, or take a return, now they are creating waves. In a vast ocean of waves, interaction becomes unstable. Better to create a ripple than a wave.

Mountaindewed · Oct 17, 2019 at 03:43 PM

I strongly believe in bad karma. My older cousin was pretty nasty to my autistic brother and myself growing up. Now she has a special needs daughter. And I was just telling my mom in the car how all the kids who made fun of the fat kid in elementary school are now fat themselves as 20 something year old adults. Yes I do think karma exists.

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5stacks Member Member Since Aug 2019 Location: Birmingham, Uk Posts: 171 4 60 hugs given	Sep 24, 2019 at 12:13 PM #2 I'd like to believe in it but I can't.
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lizardlady Legendary Member Since Nov 2002 Location: Mid World Posts: 17,488 (SuperPoster!) 21 7,515 hugs given	Sep 24, 2019 at 05:06 PM #4 I believe that what we put out into the world comes back to us. It helps me get through life believing that. At the same time I believe crappy things TV hat we don't deserve also happen. Kind of a messed up world view, huh?
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bpcyclist Legendary Member Since Sep 2019 Location: Portland Posts: 12,681 (SuperPoster!) 4 40.2k hugs given	Sep 27, 2019 at 07:34 PM #10 I believe in the general concept. Unfortunately, it does not always apply. Wonderful people who have done wonderful things get absolutely destroyed by life all the time. It makes me sad. __________________ When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield
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superm4n New Member Member Since Oct 2019 Location: Dallas Posts: 12 4	Oct 01, 2019 at 11:13 AM #12 I think most people get the natural consequences of their actions. karma is based on buddhism, another man made religion. Whereas people getting the natural consequences of their actions over time makes much more sense realistically.
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sarahsweets Threadtastic Postaholic Member Since Dec 2018 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,006 (SuperPoster!) 5 192 hugs given	Oct 03, 2019 at 02:03 AM #15 I believe in putting out positive energy helps facilitate positive experiences. And negative energy facilitates negative experiences. But I believe that this is because of what I choose to do, not an unknown force or universal action. __________________ "I carried a watermelon?" President of the no F's given society.
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mugwort2 Poohbah Member Since Aug 2015 Location: Philadelphia PA. Posts: 1,291 8 28 hugs given	Oct 05, 2019 at 08:47 PM #17 Yes I believe in Karma. Over 20 years ago a man who lived with me, ie he moved in to make a long story short, mentally, emotionally and physically abused me. About 5 years or so the city where he lives claimed he owed over $600,000. Yeah Karma sure can be a *****.
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