Karma and Dharma: meaning, origin, transmutation and more!

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Jennifer Sherman

How does Karma and Dharma work?

To know the workings of Karma and Dharma, you need to know what each of them means. We have to understand that first there is Dharma and then there is Karma - that is, reality and law. They work like the law of action and reaction.

Dharma will not work for someone who thinks they understand it, that is, it will only work for the person who implements it. On the other hand, Karma works in action and is present in what you do.

So, Karma and Dharma go together. So, for you to be well, you need to establish your Dharma, so that your Karma has an order, a direction, a goal and an achievement. Read the article below and understand the meaning of each of them!

Meaning of Karma

Karma means the law which regulates all action and reaction that exists in the universe. However, Karma is not only limited to causality in the physical sense, for it also has moral implications. It acts in the same way in relation to spiritual and mental action.

Thus, Karma is the consequence that all people generate due to their attitudes, in this and other lives. It is present in several religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Spiritualism. See more details about what is Karma below!

Origin of the term "Karma"

The term Karma comes from Sanskrit and means "to do". In Sanskrit, Karma means a deliberate act. In addition, the word Karma also means force or movement.

When we refer to Karma, we are not only referring to action and reaction, but also to law and order, where everything we do can reflect in our lives through the "good" or "bad" things that happen to us, as well as the tendencies that follow. In other words, everyone receives what is defined by their actions. Therefore, it is a relationship of cause and consequence.

Moreover, the word Karma is widely used in everyday life, but it is a term used by people who do not know its meaning and use it to define bad moments or associated with bad luck, for example. Thus, few know the true meaning and origin of this word or know how to apply it.

Karmic Law

The concept of karmic law goes beyond the mere notion of individual Karma, for it implies our ability to act at every moment while still experiencing the accumulation of energies of collective and planetary Karma. Therefore, Karma is one of the important spiritual laws that govern our life experiences through the principle of cause and effect, action and reaction, cosmic justice and personal responsibility.

Also according to karmic law, present actions are causes and consequences of other actions, that is, there is nothing random. According to this law, there is an intricate succession of effects and causes.

Karma in Buddhism

Karma in Buddhism is the energy created by actions of the body associated with speech and mind. The earth has a law of cause and effect, and there is always a reason for something to occur. In this sense, Karma is an energy or cause to produce an effect in the future, as it is not something good or bad.

But depending on how you process the situation, physically and spiritually, the result can be negative. Furthermore, an involuntary physical act is not Karma. Karma is first and foremost a reaction, an act of mental origin. In short, Karma is a universal law of causality relating to all rational beings.

Karma in Hinduism

Hinduism believes that we can carry forward the actions and deeds of our past life into our present life. According to the Hindu religion, Karma is the result of our actions. Therefore, if we have a happy and comfortable life, it is the result of the good attitudes we had in the present life as well as in our past lives.

Similarly, if we are facing difficulties in life, Hinduism believes that we are responsible for our past, our bad decisions and negative attitudes. Furthermore, Hindus believe that one lifetime is not enough to pay off the negative Karma, so we have to reincarnate to counteract it at the next birth.

Karma of Jainism

Karma in Jainism is a physical substance that is all over the universe. According to Jainism, Karma is determined by our actions: everything we do comes back to ourselves. This encompasses when we do, think or say things, as well as when we kill, lie, steal and so on.

Thus, Karma not only encompasses the causality of transmigration, but is also conceived as an extremely subtle matter that infiltrates the soul, darkening its natural, transparent and pure qualities. Moreover, Jains regard Karma as a kind of pollution that contaminates the soul with various colors.

Karma in Spiritism

In spiritualism, Karma is the law of cause and effect, that is, each action on the spiritual or physical plane will cause a reaction. It is the burden of destiny, the baggage accumulated throughout our lives and experiences. Moreover, Karma also means a debt to be redeemed. The law of cause and effect presents us with the idea that the future depends on the actions and decisions of the present.

In a word, Karma in Spiritualism is something simple to understand: when a positive action generates a positive consequence, the reverse also happens. Karma in Spiritualism is a payment for the events of earthly life and they are dependent on the circumstances which man provokes by his actions.

Meaning of Dharma

Dharma is a term that defies simple translation. It carries a variety of meanings, depending on the context, such as universal law, social order, piety, and righteousness. Dharma means to support, hold, or bear, and is that which governs the principle of mutation but does not participate in it, that is, it is something that remains constant.

In common language, Dharma means the right way to live. Therefore, it is to cultivate the knowledge and practice of principles and laws that unite the fabric of reality, natural phenomena and the personality of human beings in dynamic and harmonic interdependence. Understand more about this concept below!

Origin of the term "Dharma

Dharma is the governing force of existence, the true essence of what exists, or truth itself, carrying associated meanings such as the universal direction that governs human life. The term Dharma is from the ancient Sanskrit language and means "that which sustains and which maintains".

Thus, the concept of Dharma varies for different religions and cultures. However, the meaning is the same for both: it is the pure path of truth and knowledge. Thus, Dharma addresses the natural law of life, which respects something that encompasses not only the visible, but the total creation of all things.

Law and justice

Law and justice, according to the Dharma, are about the laws of the universe, and that involves everything you do. Also, the way your heart beats, how you breathe, and even how your system functions is deeply connected to the rest of the universe.

If you consciously follow the laws of the universe, your life will function phenomenally. Thus, the Dharma predicts about cosmic law and order, that is, about how life is lived according to or in harmony with the whole.

In Buddhism

In Buddhism, Dharma is the doctrine and universal truth common to all individuals at all times, proclaimed by the Buddha. The Buddha's Dharma and the sangha constitute the Triratna, that is, the Three Jewels in which Buddhists take refuge.

In the Buddhist concept, the term Dharmas is used in the plural to describe the interrelated elements that constitute the empirical world. Moreover, in Buddhism, Dharma is synonymous with blessing or reward for good deeds done.

In Hinduism

In Hinduism, the concept of Dharma is vast and comprehensive as it involves ethics, social and cultural aspects and also defines the values of individuals in society. Moreover, it applies to all Dharmas, consisting of one true law.

Among other virtues, there is also a specific Dharma, the Svadharma, which must be followed according to each person's class, status and position in life.

Finally, Dharma in Hinduism, besides religion, is related to morality that regulates the behavior of the individual. In addition, it is also associated with the mission in the world or the life purpose of each person.

In everyday life

For everyday life, Dharma is given to the tribulations and events that human beings carry. Therefore, it is a component of absurdity and irrationality. Meanwhile, Karma is often associated only with a negative aspect.

Karma, in fact, will always be the consequences of our choices, and that ability we have to arbitrate regarding our own existence.

So, to apply both concepts in life is to interweave the way of acting with the daily action, with the way of thinking, with the vision of the world, with the treatment towards others, with the reaction in front of situations and with the perfect understanding of the Law of Cause and Effect.

Transmuting Karma into Dharma

The transmutation of Karma into Dharma is done, if you are able to realize the purpose of investing in the higher energy. As a result, spiritual evolution aligns Dharma, advancing the transmutation of Karma.

So Karma is not only in the things you are doing in the world, it is in the many meaningless things you do in your head. Also, you need to know that there are four levels of Karma: physical action, mental action, emotional action and energetic action.

Therefore, transmuting Karma into Dharma will provide wellness, because most of your Karma is unconscious. Check out more about transmutation below!

What is Karma Transmutation

The Law of Forgiveness is the key to the transmutation of individual Karma. It restores freedom, self-knowledge and makes energy flow in natural harmony. In fact, the transmutation ritual is an old practice of spiritual alchemy to heal oneself, free oneself from negativity and become aware of what one wants.

Therefore, it is a process of self-transformation, with the objective of raising the lower self to unite with the higher self, eliminating all that is bad and internalizing only positive energies. Furthermore, family, professional and financial conflicts can be resolved in this way with tranquility.

Question of choice

We all have the power of free will in this life, which allows us the ability to choose what we would like for our earthly experience. In this way, to choose to transmute Karma is to choose purification and liberation of soul and body.

To do transmutation, the first step is to affirm to the Universe that you are wanting to be transmuted into the light. When you begin the process of transmuting Karma, you need to be aware of your thoughts and your actions. In addition, you also need to be willing to learn from your own mistakes.

Overcoming individuality

To overcome individuality due to Karma, one must immerse oneself in the execution of the Dharma. Most of the time, we are not aware that we are, in fact, beings prone to change and that we carry within us the seed of human evolution.

Thus, one must accept that no one is alone in the universe and that everything around must be taken into consideration, because it directly affects life. We must remember that we are not alone and that there are other people with us. Therefore, to accept to transmute is to overcome individuality and heal all the negative side, transforming it into good vibrations.

Awareness of not being superior to others

It is not about ego, however, in order to transmute Karma, you must first save yourself, get rid of ignorance and become self-illumined. Then, with your influence and through your various channels, you must contribute to all those around you. This process of self-knowledge will stimulate complete understanding, wisdom and spiritual evolution.

When we allow ourselves to evolve, we also allow ourselves to be aware that we are beings in transformation and that we learn from each other. But becoming more evolved beings does not imply saying that we are superior to others.

Ritual to transmute Karma

The transmutation ritual can be done at any time of the year and needs concentration in a deep search for good energies. It is necessary to light a violet candle every day for three weeks uninterruptedly. This candle is an offering of the healing energies and symbolizes the transmutation that will take place.

After lighting the candle, you should concentrate on the flame, internalizing it. The flame should reach all extensions of your life, whether past or present. During this time, do a meditation and concentrate on the violet flame, asking for liberation and positivity.

Who can make the transmutation from Karma to Dharma?

The transmutation of Karma into Dharma is done by anyone who is wanting to be free from negative Karma. Any mature person can perform the transmutation of Karma into Dharma, but it requires mental concentration and a powerful, independent will.

Dharma is about what we receive for the positive things we have done. It is the change we make to our Karma through the gifts we acquire over several lives. By overcoming fears, blockages and insecurities, we free ourselves from the Karma that is linked to them and we acquire or recognize our gifts.

Finally, we must consider that through love and forgiveness, anyone frees their soul, and can follow their mission and make their own journey!

As an expert in the field of dreams, spirituality and esotericism, I am dedicated to helping others find the meaning in their dreams. Dreams are a powerful tool for understanding our subconscious minds and can offer valuable insights into our daily lives. My own journey into the world of dreams and spirituality began over 20 years ago, and since then I have studied extensively in these areas. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others and helping them to connect with their spiritual selves.