The Universal Law of Cause and Effect
The word “karma” has been circulating in pop culture & social media over the last few years. It has become part of our everyday vocabulary.
In order to best understand what “karma” is, we need to
utilize a more scientific perspective. This article is based
on ideas from world renowned scientists and philosophers.
Isaac Newton (1643-1727), a mathematician, physicist,
astronomer, alchemist, theologist and philosopher writes
in his Third Law:
“For every action there is an equivalent reaction”
The action is the CAUSE of an EFFECT, that is, the cause
generates an effect or action. This principle of action and reaction reigns over everything in our universe; from the tangible physical world to intangible actions such as human behavior.
Here are some examples of everyday cause and effect
In the material world:
Boiling water generates steam.
Freezing water generates ice.
Ice generates cold.
A spark generates fire.
Food generates nutrition.
Bacteria and viruses generate illnesses.
Fire generates heat.
Sleep generates rest.
Exhaustion generates fatigue.
Sun generates photosynthesis in plants.
In the intellectual/mental world:
Research generates knowledge.
Analyzing generates results.
Thinking generates ideas.
Perseverance generates willpower.
In the emotional world:
Success generates joy.
Empathy generates tolerance.
Death generates anguish.
Loneliness generates sadness.
Love generates gratefulness.
We can see that on every level: the physical, the emotional and the intellectual; each action will have an effect or consequence. While this list is simply to illustrate some examples, the actual list is infinite.
Throughout history philosophers and scientists alike have recognized that an action generates a reaction, and that certainty is called KARMA.
We can even find the concept of karma in the Holly Bible: “Because they sowed the wind, they will reap the whirlwind” (Oseas 8:7).
The biblical quote became very popular: “they sowed wind, they will reap the whirlwind”. This quote in and of itself incorporates the ideas of sowing and reaping, in other words, cause and reaction. Once again we can understand from this that an action comes with a consequence.
Albert Einstein (Physicist 1879-1955) expressed the same idea in this quote:
“Never play in life a ball if you are not prepared
to receive it back” Einstein
Einstein is implying that everything returns. The figurative ‘ball’ signifies actions, emotions, words, ideas, attitudes,
and intentions.
Einstein’s idea on karma implies that for everything that occurs, for each event, there will be a consequent event caused by that original event.
Following a mathematical mechanism, we can deduce though perhaps not immediately, life gives back what was first offered. Our past intentions or actions influenced, influence or will influence our lives now or in the future. Today we are enduring or enjoying consequences of our past actions.
Does karma accumulate? We can look at karma as similar to a bank account. If the balance is in the red, it is because we have contracted debt. What should be done when this occurs? Logic dictates to stop generating debt and try to pay off the existing debt.
Einstein supports the idea of cause and effect with the following quote:
”Luck does not exist, everything has a cause”
We oftentimes see things as the product of chance or luck. Einstein adheres to the idea that all has a cause, thus introducing the concept of causality versus chance.
Let’s refer to the prior list of examples:
It is not by chance that fire generates heat. This is explained through physics and the laws of thermodynamics.
It is not by chance that the sun generates photosynthesis in plants. The laws of conservation of energy mandate this reaction.
Even with bacteria and viruses that generate illnesses, there is a logical biological process that enables viruses and bacteria to enter a body and multiply, which leads to infection and illness.
It is also not by chance that perseverance generates willpower. A sustained and directed effort is needed to reach a goal.
Karma can be individual or collective. We share a collective karma with our planet, country, family, culture, education, and beliefs. The same principle applies to all levels.
Even when life becomes very difficult, knowing about the existence of karma can dilute our pain and help us accept what is happening to us. Although finding the root cause is very difficult, if not impossible, without an expert guide on karma and the law of cause and effect. It is always useful to try to find the cause of the origin or source of today’s pain, so that we can learn from it and change our attitude to avoid any repetitions.
And, finally, if we are having a happy, prosperous, successful streak, let us be thankful to our past actions that are gifting us today’s sweet fruit!
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve a higher level of happiness and a deeper understanding of yourself.
PHILOSOPHICAL STYLE, INC. - DECEMBER 2023
Comments