Karma Through My Eyes

Karma Through My Eyes: A Seeker's Journey Beyond Right and Wrong
My Awakening: From Curiosity to Connection
My Awakening: From Curiosity to Connection
Let me confess upfront - I'm no expert on karma. But over the past year, this ancient concept has shifted from an abstract philosophy to a lived experience. Like many, I'd heard of Sadhguru for decades - his viral videos, environmental initiatives and that iconic beard. But our relationship was casual, like nodding at a neighbor without ever stopping to chat.
That changed last April when I stumbled upon his book Karma during a low phase. To my surprise, his words didn't just explain karma, they mirrored my struggles.
What truly hooked me? His "hot mental videos" (as I jokingly call them) - those short, punchy clips where he dismantles spiritual jargon with razor-sharp logic and unexpected humor. One video jolted me awake: "You're not suffering because of your karma - you're suffering because you've made your karma your identity." It felt like he was speaking directly to my midlife restlessness.
The Real Turning Point: Inner Engineering
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Enrollment
I enrolled virtually in Inner Engineering in April 2024, skeptical but desperate for change.
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First Session
Halfway through the first session, tears streamed down my face during a guided meditation. Not from sadness - from a sudden, visceral sense of coming home.
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Karmic Memory?
Was this "karmic memory" he describes? I still don't know. But that unshakable knowing has guided me since.
Karma Demystified: A Layperson's Lens
My Crash Course in Cause and Effect
Growing up Hindu, I'd reduced karma to cosmic quid-pro-quo: help an old lady cross the street, get a parking spot later. Sadhguru's teachings flipped this script:
"Karma isn't your bank statement - it's the code running your life's software. You wrote it and you can debug it."
This resonated deeply. My anxiety, I realized, wasn't "bad luck" - it stemmed from mental karma: childhood patterns of catastrophizing every minor setback.
Baby Steps Toward Awareness
During Inner Engineering, we practiced a simple technique: pausing before reacting. When my kid threw a tantrum last week, instead of snapping, I heard Sadhguru's chuckle: "You're arguing with a six-year-old? Who's the child here?" I breathed, knelt to his level and the storm passed. Tiny victory? Absolutely. But these moments are my Kriyamana Karma in action - rewiring reactions into responses.
Debunking Myths: My Kitchen-Table Realizations
Myth 1: Karma = Fate
My grandmother blamed every mishap on "poorva janma karma" (past life deeds). But Sadhguru's analogy struck me: "Prarabdha karma is like a movie reel - you can't change the film, but you can change how you watch it."
Last month, I missed a flight due to traffic - classic "bad karma," I grumbled. Then I recalled his words. Instead of fuming, I used the delay to journal. Turns out, the missed flight spared me from a chaotic client meeting. Coincidence? Maybe. But choosing calm over rage felt like Agami Karma - planting seeds for future peace.
Myth 2: Good Deeds Erase Bad Karma
I once volunteered at a soup kitchen, secretly hoping to "balance" work stress. It backfired - resentment grew with every ladle. Sadhguru's clarity stung: "Action done for transaction binds you. Action done with joy liberates." Now, If need be, i can walk my neighbor's dog simply because his wagging tail makes me smile. No cosmic brownie points needed.
My Karma Toolkit: Work in Progress
The 3 AM Journal
Sadhguru suggests observing mental patterns. My version? Scribbling 3 AM anxieties into a Notes app. Patterns emerged:
Monday dreads: Linked to a toxic job I quit years ago - Sanchita karma ghosting me.
Perfectionism: Childhood habit of seeking parental approval.
Awareness alone hasn't cured these, but it's loosened their grip.
The Shakti Chronicles
After Inner Engineering, I committed to daily Isha Kriya, & Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya. Some days, it feels transcendent. Others, my mind wanders to fictional lands, assumptions, questions abut what's happening in my life etc.,. But showing up matters - karma is cumulative, not all-or-nothing.
Forgiveness as Debugging
Holding grudges (unconscious memory) used to be my Olympic sport. Now, when anger flares (like toward my micromanaging ex-boss), I visualize Sadhguru's advice: "Don't fight the memory - disinfect it with awareness." It's messy work, but freeing.
My Karma Misadventures (Learn from My Stumbles)
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The Meditation Marathon Fiasco
Inspired by YouTube sadhus, I once meditated for 3 hours straight. Result? A numb backside and raging irritation. My takeaway: Karma Yoga isn't endurance testing. Now, 21 minutes daily - sustainable and sincere.
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The Guru Complex
I briefly fell into worshipping Sadhguru's image. Then I rewatched his warning: "If you make me your goal, you've missed the point. I'm just a mirror." Now, his teachings matter more than his persona.
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Why This Matters to a Novice Like Me
You might ask: Why dive into karma without being a scholar? Because in Sadhguru's words: "You don't need to understand electricity to use a light switch." For me, karma isn't about philosophical mastery - it's practical. When road rage bubbles up, I ask: "Is this my Sanchita karma acting out or can I choose Agami here?" Sometimes I succeed, often I don't. But the trying itself is progress.
My Humble Conclusion: Karma as Daily Alchemy
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Living Dialogue
I'll never pen treatises on karma or debate its nuances in Sanskrit. But through Sadhguru's guidance, I've found something better - a living dialogue with my patterns.
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Daily Progress
Success, for me, looks like this: Yesterday, I snapped at a family member. Today, I caught myself mid-snarl and laughed. Tomorrow? Maybe I'll pause before reacting. That's the beauty - karma isn't a life sentence. It's clay in my hands, ever moldable.
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Ongoing Journey
As I continue these baby steps, I hold onto two truths:
My best teacher is the messiness of trying.
As Sadhguru says: "Enlightenment isn't about becoming perfect - it's about becoming alive."
For this stumbling seeker, that's more than enough.