Tag: Karma

Motivation Matters

Happiness, Success, The Pathway To Fulfilment

In Buddhism, the motivation behind actions will often generate more karmic consequences than the action itself. Similarly, in life the outcome of our actions is heavily influenced by our motivation. In other words, our intention matters.

If we have a purpose in life and our actions are aligned with that purpose, then the outcome will usually be aligned with our purpose too. This is because the way we act out our actions or the words we choose to use are influenced by our motivation, by our purpose.

If we want to make a sale because we will get a bonus out of it, we will likely try to manipulate someone into buying what we are selling. If we want to make a sale because what we are selling will help certain people, we will look for those people and sell to them in order to improve their lives.

Whether you believe in karma or not, the consequences of how we do things in life mirror our motivation behind our words and our actions. Our motivation matters.

Empowering Yourself

Happiness, Success, The Pathway To Fulfilment

The idea of karma is something that often divides people, though many in the western world don’t spend the time to consider its implications, as they are more familiar with the monotheistic religions. I personally do believe in karma and I was thinking about it recently and I had a couple of insights that are relevant for everybody.

My understanding of karma is twofold, my present circumstances are a result of my past actions and my response to my current circumstances will result in my future circumstances.

If you find yourself in a good situation, you could think to yourself ‘I earned this.’ If you find yourself in a bad situation, you could think to yourself ‘I earned this.’ Owning your current situation based on your past actions is powerful. Thinking this way about bad situations could be seen as a negative thinking pattern, but not if you apply the second insight.

After considering your current situation, ask yourself ‘what do I do now to make things better?’ This will mean that you respond to the situation rather than reacting to it. You are asking yourself to put together a plan of action, you are empowering yourself to own whatever situation you find yourself in and move forward. This opportunity is always available, no matter what your present circumstances are.