The Karma Theory in Yoga

Karma theory is vast to explain and also for some it might seem contradictory and confusing. I will try to explain it here in as short as possible and in the simplest way.

'Karma' means 'actions'. These actions can be past, present and future. Actions are good and bad. Karma theory believes what you give comes back to you i.e. You do good, you add good karma's and you do bad you add bad karma's in your life which you might experience in this life itself or your next life but you will surely do.

You never meet anyone or see anyone just for the sake of it. Every tiny thing has a reason for it to happen.

For example- You are driving and someone just cuts your way and also shouts at you for no reason. In this case, your reaction would be- is he/she mad?, It's his/her mistake so why is he/she yelling at me! etc. right? so, what are you doing here is by reacting like this in as a result of anger you are adding on to your bad Karma's. Next time, think about it this way...Oh poor! I might have hurt him/her in my past, its okay I forgive him/her. And bam!! over....You added good karma to your list. wasn't that easy?

Now, You had a past karma with that person and you reacted and thought bad for that person. That person again would come into your life and you might again experience a similar thing and the cycle will go on and on. instead, you think good about that person and that person will return you good in the future in some way.

Another concept- There are three types of Karmas we carry in our life Sanchita( Karmas accumulated from the past), Prarabdha (Destiny or karmas we will experience in future) and Kriyamaan (Our present Karmas).

Take this like this. You are an Archer- you are standing with your bow and arrow and you have a goal to shoot. You are carrying six arrows with you at your back (Sanchita), you have already shot one arrow and it's gone(Prarabdha) and you are holding one arrow on your bow which you are about to shoot (Kriyamaan).

We cannot change our past karmas(Sanchita) and we cannot change our destiny(Prarabdha) we can only change our present moment which is Kriyamaan which means the good or bad deeds we do now and it is in your hands how to use the arrow that you are holding now. Hence it is important you do good deeds now and be aware of your thoughts and actions now so you get a good future.

It is also said that a guru or master can negate some of your past karmas and help you attain enlightenment. Also, if it is time- you don't have to find a master, the master will come to you.

Think good. Be good. Do good.

To know more on Karma theory or rebirth theory and clear your doubts. You can mail me your questions at nikitashindeyoga@gmail.com and I will be glad to answer.

Thank you for reading!

Yoga with Nikita.