![Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/original_image/public/unity2/blog_image/Gurudev_Sri_Sri_Ravi_Shankar_3.jpg?itok=HpAK2dr9)
In response to questions about karma, Gurudev shared the following.
What is karma and how does it work?
Karma literally means action. Action and its impression in the mind, which when latent, will give rise to similar situations.
So, karma has three dimensions. One is the impression of actions, which you have in your mind, in your consciousness, and then the actions that you're doing in the present. And the possible activity, possible action that may befall you, or which you would attract because you have similar impressions within you. This is also called karma.
Good and bad karma?
Karma is not always bad. You did good actions and they gave you good results. Some bad experiences in life may be due to past bad karma, definitely.
To remove those karmas, or bad impressions in the mind, meditation and SKY breathing will help.
Sudarsan Kriya (aka SKY Breath Meditation) removes many of those impressions. Maybe not everything or all of the karma, but most of it can be handled, yes, through meditation, kriya, and good action.
Why bad things happen to good people
It appears that bad things happen to good people because we see through a very small window. Just expand your awareness.
These so-called bad people have done something very good in the past. That's what brings them those good results.
Those who are doing good, if something bad is happening, well, knowingly or unknowingly, something must have happened in the past.
See, you don't get mango fruit from sowing a neem tree. As you sow, so shall you reap. You may have heard that proverb before.
It's not because of the goodness of a person that he experiences misery. It could be because they're not being smart or they're being a little foolish. That could be one reason.
Another reason is the circumstance. Situations might have brought in such tough and difficult times. Tough times beckon your skill to be activated.
The misery in life gives us some depth. Make use of every situation, whether good or bad, to your advantage. That's being smart
The never-ending cycle of karma
Karmas can never be finished. Karmas continue. It's like you're asking, "When will the ocean have no waves?" The ocean will have waves. But you can rise above the waves. You can surf.
You can rise above the waves by being a witness to them. Not by being reactive, but by being a witness to your own mind, actions, and tendencies. It's possible. And it's possible any moment, any time.
Thoughts and actions
Thought, of course, is important, but you have no control over all of your thoughts. Do you? Good thoughts come, bad thoughts come. So what?
As long as you don't identify with them, don't think, "Oh, this is my bad thought," you're free. Your thoughts come. They come and they go. Don't worry about them. Don't chew on them. Don't resist them.
This is the way to sail over those impressions.
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Editor’s note:
To learn more about our pillar program, SKY Breath Meditation, check out our free breath and meditation online session with a live instructor. SKY has helped millions of people around the world improve all aspects of their lives. Learn how you too can benefit from SKY.
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