Why do we see karma as an act of revenge or punishment? It’s as if we need validation that every person will get their day. We should see karma as a teacher for all of us. When we are hurt by another, we know how it feels, and we care to not hurt another person the same way. If we don’t learn from our mistakes, then we remain stagnant and don’t grow, which is a greater burden.
Here is a definition of karma according to an online dictionary: karma refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual. In this text I’m focusing on karma’s interconnection with people and humanity, rather than from an individual perspective. I’m focusing on bringing light to the word karma, so we may work in unity rather than focusing on revenge and punishment.
Karma should be viewed as a teacher for our own evolution as individuals and humanity. We shouldn’t use karma as a coping mechanism to say they’ll get their day. What’s the saying that’s been repeated over and over again by the world’s greatest teachers? We are all one! Therefore, no one is left out, even the ones who repeatedly hurt people in their lifetime. I understand behaviour has consequences and it must be dealt with accordingly. However, by continuing to use karma as an act of revenge, we will only cause more acts of revenge.
God knows we’re not standing in a state of completion or perfection, but he does admire progress and learning from our mistakes. Without learning from our mistakes, we wouldn’t grow and without growth we’re not really living, and we’re of little value to others. For everything in life requires growth and expansion, primarily on a soul level, to create a better life for ourselves and for humanity.
If God loves all of us, then he would want peace for all of us. A peaceful ecosystem requires growth and learning from mistakes to essentially have a peaceful world. If the behaviour means anything to us on any level and we know we shouldn’t have behaved this way, karma acts as a teacher to help us grow as a human being.
Think of a time where you hurt someone, and after the fact that you hurt someone, another person hurt you the same way. You said to yourself, now I know how it feels. You then said, because I know how it feels, I choose to never do it again to another person. Why is that? Is it a punishment or is it you learning from your mistakes and wanting to grow as a person? You can say God helped you see the situation through his compassionate lenses.
Sometimes we don’t recognize our weakness and sometimes we don’t want to acknowledge our weakness. Either way without recognizing or acknowledging our weaknesses, growth is impossible, and we remain stagnant. Would you rather be the person who wants to grow or the person who chooses to remain stagnant and who has too much pride to admit he isn’t perfect?
If you feel karma is present in your life, just know it’s because God is helping you see the behaviour through different lenses, whether it’s your behaviour or someone else. Therefore, change your beliefs about karma. See karma as an opportunity for everyone to grow as a human being. Know that once you learn from your mistakes, there’s no need for continual reminders of what you call karma.
We’re all in this together, we’re just not at the same place, and know that whatever choice you make impacts another person and therefore changes the world one step at a time. Choose wisely!