a view on luck and karma

Karma is a sanskrit word for "deed". In both Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is based upon the phenomena of cause and effect which denotes both action and reaction that extend through many lifetimes.
In our culture, we often confuse karma with fate or the notion that the future is written in stone. Whenever we feel overwhelmed and can't find a way to overcome our problems, we can even be tempted to believe that we are victims of karma and there is not much we can do to escape from its tentacles.
Another mistake we can fall into is the belief that karma is good or bad. We might subscribe to the notion that good karma is like good luck, while bad karma is bad luck.
These beliefs, while hinting at the truth, can be misleading and confusing.

Psychic medium and and lightworker Erin Pavlina describes the action of karma in a simple and suggestive way. Any thought, action, or emotional event is like a pebble thrown onto the calm surface of a pond. The pebble creates ripples that have consequences as they spread out on the pond's surface and interact with floating objects and the shoreline. The greater the size of the pebble and the stronger the intensity with which it is thrown, the greater the size of the ripple. The ripples formed into our pond will come back to us, many-fold.

Every action you take, every choice you make, sends ripples of effect through the pond of our reality. Small acts, small ripples. Big acts, bigger ripples. What you do impacts other people. What they do, impacts you.
What is your pebble doing right now? Is it sending ripples of love, compassion, and courage throughout our pond, or is it sending out ripples of envy, anger, and fear? How would you like your pebble to behave?

If you feel you've got a lot of bad karma going on in your life:

• take a step back, look at your life
• it may be a sign - learn possible lessons
• be harmless, be aware of ego, fears, motivation
• see the good / positive in the situation - there is always a silver lining!
• remember that from crisis and suffering comes opportunity, lessons renewal and faith
• in some extreme cases, you might consider a karma clearing session or meditation

And to build up good karma:

• have / show compassion and mercy for all conscious beings ie. become vegetarian, non-violent, pray, develop pure altruistic intention / motivation
• develop your inner virtues ie. patience, generosity, praise, wisdom, concentration, effort, reverance, gratitude etc.
• give 10% of your income to charity or less fortunate people
• learn to be in alignment with your soul / higher Self

"Where thought goes, energy follows" Chinese Proverb

Related books: Be as You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi