Karma is a Sanskrit word meaning action. (Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-European language of India.) We are all responsible for our own actions. We cannot expect to blame others for our choices or expect others to take the blame for our actions.

The law of karma refers to the law of cause and effect. However, it is more importantly associated with the intention, motivation or choice that effects the outcome or the result. If we are motivated by greed, hatred, conceit, selfishness and jealousy, we are planting those seeds. If we act out of generosity and love, we are creating those seeds.

Again, it is the motivation or choice that effects our karma. Inherent in our choices is that the mind is powerful enough to bring about results that change us that cause our evolution. If we are unaware of what motivates our minds, we can actually adversely affect our karma. So, being in contact with yourself, you create more positive karma in your future. The law of karma can be understood in two different ways. It can be experiencing the cause and effect over an extended period of time but it also can be thought of as effecting your current state. When your mind is positive and loving, and has an openness and loving effect, some of the effects of karma are immediate and can actually overcome your past karma.

Karma is not about punishment as insinuated in religion. It’s about learning compassion. It’s about forgiveness and appreciation of potential in others as well as in ourselves. Saying five Hail Mary’s and praying for our own forgiveness will not erase karma. Praying for and forgiving another, is key. Causing karma is against God’s plan. What YOU do, does matter.