How did we get to where we are now in life? Where is it going next? Why does the groupthink of society seem to be going in the wrong direction? All of the answers are in this karmic library of experiences, memory, and potential futures. For most of us, karma is what we want it to be. It's the amorphous benevolent force that rewards us for our charity and punishes us for our crimes. We believe that it is a system that gives us what we deserve, whatever we deserve, based on how good or bad of a person we've been. While this idea may bring a certain kind of solace, it's clear to most that it isn't a true reflection of how life works. "Bad" things happen to "good" people, and vice versa. If karma as we know it exists, then how can we explain the fact that our world is rife with injustices?

While the author is a captivating and enchanting storyteller, we must remember that this is one man’s interpretation of Karma. No more. No less. We must all make our choices and be accountable for them. The following steps can be useful to living a life of full immersion and engagement.

Karma

Sadhguru has explained in “Karma” how we are creating new additions for the karmic library, and how we can gain more control over the direction our lives are taking. It becomes clear when reading this book why Sadhguru stresses responsibility and awareness in Inner Engineering, and the inevitability of the moment – because of each of us are creating our lives using a karmic pattern that everyone who has ever lived on this planet has contributed to. This marvelous discourse could have been even more positive by a few simple steps. First, one point that the author emphasizes in earning and creating good Karma, is to remain unattached to the outcome and disentangled from emotion while doing the work. Surprisingly, the author himself falls victim to his own caution. For example, in his critique of what he describes as misconceptions, myths, or mischaracterizations, he goes well beyond a clean and crisp critique and laces his assessment of supposedly lesser authors with anger and condemnation. There was no need for this and it only hurts the author’s own integrity and authenticity. Next, this book stands strongly on the author’s interpretation of the concept of Karma. It’s a very meaty discussion. Unfortunately, at times it seemed like a cheap pamphlet for Sadguru’s Isha Foundation. A better way to elaborate on the sacred aspects of the Isha Yoga Center would have been to include an exclusive chapter on the magnificent center and the fine work that happens there. In this way, the reader would have gotten a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of Sadguru’s work. When impossible to avoid circumstances, places, and people of bad Karma, prepare adequately to face the situation and cleanse thoroughly after the interaction. This book requires no knowledge of yoga, spiritual education, or any dogma. It’s about life – your life – and concepts of how to control your experience; Now the world won’t let you go. You become master of your own destiny. Sadhguru has a way of weaving together some anecdotes and stories that are very entertaining and even easy to read. You will smile sometimes. And there are meditations or suggestions for the subtle practices to enhance your life and experience. And while I recommend all of his books, I think it’s a good start, one of his best books.

Received this copy on Apr 27th, Content in the book try to debunk the myth and distortion corrupting the meaning of "Karma". Once you reach the ending of the book, Your discretion theory of Karma will take a turn towards personal responsibility. The book is divided into three segments Firstly, it reveals the fallacy in our understanding of Karma and offers an authentic meaning. Secondly, it explores Karma yoga and the reduction of different types of karma through conscious practice. Every main topic ends with Sadhana in between to assimilate practice along with the wisdom. Lastly, books end with a question and answers related to Karma.

And having been through it a couple of times, I feel more optimistic about being able to "handle my karma," i.e. life. About enjoying life in general. And I feel a renewed willingness to do my part to handle the problems of others. For, as one of Sadhguru's aphorisms for beginning yogis says (my paraphrase): All rules are my rules. I understand that in a more profound way after reading this book. In his own inimitable style, Sadhguru intersperses the discussion on Karma with deeply insightful and witty stories which drive the point home beautifully. Everyone will enjoy the book as well written, easily understood (at least on gross level) and comes handy with nice exercises (Sadhna) one can try and experiment by themselves. With this new book on Karma, Sadhguru is continuing on in his way of bringing a fresh and incisive way of expounding age old concepts. By now everyone has heard the word Karma and has some rudimentary idea of what it means.

Over time, this has a cumulative impact on cellular and genetic memory, as well as on the energy system.” Surprisingly, this book has been a "hide under the covers with a flashlight and hope the parents don't catch you" type of read. I really found it that engrossing. In the fall of 2017, Sadhguru initiated Rally For Rivers, a nationwide campaign aiming to implement sustainable and long-term policy changes to revitalize India's severely depleted rivers, which found great support among India's people and leadership. With over 162 Million individuals pledging their support, Rally for Rivers is the largest ecological movement in the world to date. In the fall of 2019, Sadhguru launched Cauvery Calling, a uniquely modelled project that focuses on enhancing farmer wealth while simultaneously impacting river flow and riverine ecosystems. It will enable farmers in the Cauvery basin spanning Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to plant 2.42 billion trees. Depending on the type of [vasana] you emit, you attract certain kinds of life situations to yourself.”

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I have lost hours of sleep two nights in a row because of this book. I couldn't stop pressing the gold button for 28 minutes more.

I consciously remember several lifetimes. But I do not carry this as a burden…. I carry much more memory than most but I am not encumbered by it because I keep it at a distance.” However it does not matter what volumes of karma you have; the moment you start stepping into the subtler dimensions of etheric and bliss bodies, your karma cannot touch you. The law of cause and effect can operate only on the physical, mental and energy levels… The moment you begin to taste the divine… your karma has no hold over you.” The author’s ultimate goal is to take us on a journey of self-discovery of “freedom and discovery.”“He says he has no interest in giving spiritual advice. … what I offer is a path, a living process” What is karma? Most people understand karma as a balance sheet of good and bad deeds, virtues and sins. The mechanism that decrees that we cannot evade the consequences of our own actions. In reality, karma has nothing to do with reward and punishment. Karma simply means action: your action, your responsibility. It isn't some external system of crime and punishment, but an internal cycle generated by you. Accumulation of karma is determined only by your intention and the way you respond to what is happening to you. Over time, it's possible to become ensnared by your own unconscious patterns of behavior. Sadhguru has initiated a number of social revitalization, education and environmental projects that empower millions of people to end poverty, improve their quality of life and achieve community-based, sustainable development.Karma is the subject of legend and myth, and we use it to explain away things we don’t understand. Many a sage and philosopher have spent a lifetime contemplating the nature and equation of Karma. Each of us must form and embrace the concept of Karma for our lives. Tour de Force from Sadhguru, maybe his best yet. For folks who come from a skeptical or scientific perspective, it's great because Sadhguru speaks to this-he says don't believe anything he says. Why read then? Try it as a working hypothesis and see whether this model captures your experience. I am only about a third through the book but already it is making me think in new ways about how I am creating recurring patterns that I did not even see as patterns before the book, much less see my role in creating them. A crucial aspect is discovering how I am getting new understandings because the book highlights assumptions made about karma, a main one being that it is about reward and punishment for good or bad actions. I think this is a mindset I imbibed unconsciously from the way spirituality or God is understood overall in American culture. The book highlights assumptions like this and offers a different premise to try and I am experiencing this as opening new possibilities for creating my life the way I want it. With yogic practices, the aspiration is to move toward the solar cycle so your balance and stability are assured… you no longer wear your karma as a tight-skinned garment; you learn to wear it more loosely.” A book cannot contain Karma as a concept and its intricacies; Karma is an experience that dawns upon a seeker in time. Sadhguru isn’t trying to explain intricate philosophies as well via the book. Through the book, he espouses a way of living that no matter what kind of action you perform, you can make it joyful for you. A new perspective on the overused and misunderstood concept of "karma" that offers the key to happiness and enlightenment, from the world-renowned spiritual master Sadhguru.