Serendipity
Karma
I received a text message the other day from a friend who had, according to her, a "juicy chismis" to share with me. Apparently, someone whom we mutually loath is now finally suffering the fate we always thought she deserves. If the grapevine had a semblance of truth to it, then our antagonist is, at this very moment, feeling and experiencing the painful brunt of karma. I always believe that payback time ultimately comes, if not instantly, then usually at moments when you least expect it.
Karma. The five-letter word that could either make you sublimely happy or extremely miserable. According to my trusty web encyclopedia, Karma (Sanskrit: from the root kri, "to do", meaning deed) or Kamma (Pali: meaning action, effect, destiny), "is a term in several eastern religions that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. It is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. The effects of those deeds actively create present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain in others".
And so, we have what we call the 'Law of Karma' which is central in these religions: Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism (religions which were formed in India). In the teachings of these religions, all living creatures are responsible for their karma and for their salvation. In Hinduism, the Vedas (which refers to a collection of ancient Indo Aryan religious literature that are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge) says that if we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil.
I have always believed in karma, and I guess, so does everyone who also believes in the presence of good and of evil. Be it Hinduism or Catholicism, we know that if we do good, good will eventually redound to us and that if we commit atrocious crimes or wrongful actions against others, then we get our just desserts.
What goes around, comes around. Realizing that what we send out in the way of thoughts and actions will inevitably return, gives us the incentive, the choice and ultimately the power to do what is right to better our lives and our destiny. Indeed, one little kind thought or action can open our nature to blessings that may fan out to benefit thousands. While one unkind move or ill-will can attract a virus that not only poisons our system but spreads to others who are 'karmically' susceptible.
So I guess, there's really no escaping fate. If "cause and effect" is true; if good is equal to good, and evil is equal to evil; then eventually we will get what we deserve. If our actions, good or bad, will not catch up on us now, then later, they definitely will.
The next time we commit any reprehensible, unlawful and unjust action towards other people (regardless if we go to mass everyday and sit in the front pew like a venerated saint), let's think twice before doing it. Remember that the law of karma punishes even those who are in denial (people who do evil actions but do not admit even to themselves that they have done anything wrong).
And so, if one day you wake up and find out that your spouse has been cheating on you, think again. Maybe you deserve his unfaithfulness. Ask yourself what you've done in the past (maybe you forced him into marriage even if he was already dumping you or maybe you're also a lousy cheat) because karma does not always rebound immediately. Some accumulate and return unexpectedly, like a bad thief in the night or in the form of your husband's mistress. Now that's what you call bad karma.