HELLO KARMA!

By Karen Ramsey McCabe

Karma by definition is, “the sum of a person’s action in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences”.   Whether we believe in previous lives or not we most certainly can test and witness it in the here and now how our actions, speech or thinking leads to real time consequences.  This is evident by how we interact with our children, lovers, co-workers and strangers on the street.  

Throughout our day, each of us has the ability to be highly tuned into our daily actions and reactions.  It may sound easy enough, but in reality it can be challenging, especially on days when our buttons are more easily pushed.  Some days we may feel a little off our center.  We may be feeling selfish.  We may feel tired or hungry, impatient or angry.  We may be inactive and spending too much time with work, bombarded with distractions or within the never-ending thoughts inside our head.  Living off center creates stress, which leads to existing on autopilot not thinking or caring how our interactions or deeds may affect others or our own personal wellbeing.   One simple action can have a domino affect either positive or negative.

The physical practice of yoga is a beautiful way we can fine-tune our body, mind and spirit to reach the potential of our highest selves.  Initially, yoga tunes our bodies by way of the poses combined with the flow of our breath, relaxing and releasing our tensions.  Yoga fine-tunes us by way of grounding and centering.  This combination works in conjunction to quiet the mind, peel away the veils that keep us disconnected from our higher selves and our higher acts.  When we are connected we stop and think before we act.  In this space of center we have the ability to take pause and treat others more kindly and live longer and happier on our own personal karmic paths.  This creates peace.

Like the brilliant quote by the late Dr. Wayne Dyer we begin to understand that how another person treats us is their own personal karma and does not need to become intertwined within our own, because ultimately we are responsible only for  ourselves and our reactions to others.    

We can be tuned in or tuned out.  No one said it would be easy, but a practice can become a mastery with intention and awareness.

Namaste!

written by Karen Ramsey McCabe.