Karma: Ancient Wisdom on Action, Consequence, and Cosmic Balance

Karma is one of the most widely recognised concepts from Eastern philosophy, often summarised in the West as "what goes around comes around". 

But, its roots run far deeper than a casual saying about payback. 

For visitors to targetedindividuals.co.uk - who may be navigating experiences of injustice, surveillance, and hardship - the idea of karma can offer a powerful framework: that every action, intention, and deed sets forces in motion whose effects eventually return to the doer.

Where Does the Word “Karma” Come From?

The word karma comes from ancient Sanskrit, the sacred language of India. It comes from the root kṛ, which means "to do", "to make", or "to perform". 

In simple terms, karma means "action", "work", or "deed". 

In its earliest use, in the Rigveda (the oldest Hindu sacred text, from before 1500 BCE), karma mainly referred to ritual actions or sacrifices performed by priests. Over time, especially in the Upanishads (around 800 to 300 BCE), the meaning deepened. It became linked to moral choices: good actions lead to positive outcomes, while harmful ones lead to suffering. This connects to samsara, the cycle of rebirth, where your deeds shape your future lives.

The idea appears in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though each tradition explains it slightly differently. At its heart, karma is the principle that actions have natural consequences.

When Did the Concept and Word Start Being Used?

The concept of karma as cause and effect has existed for over 3,000 years in Indian thought. It began as ritual "action" in the Rigveda and grew into an ethical law in later texts like the Bhagavad Gita.

The word entered the English language in 1800, through early translations of Indian scriptures. It gained wider popularity in the West during the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to scholars, Theosophy, and growing interest in Eastern spirituality. Today, "karma" is used around the world - sometimes seriously, sometimes casually.

Does Karma Really Happen?

In traditional Hindu, Buddhist, and related views, yes - it happens. Karma acts like an impersonal natural law, similar to gravity. 

Good intentions and deeds create positive results; harmful ones bring suffering. This can happen in the current life or in future ones. There is no angry god handing out punishment. The results simply arise from the quality of the action and the intention behind it.

From a scientific angle, karma cannot be measured in a lab or proven like physical forces. However, research in psychology shows that believing in karma can influence behavior and perception. People who hold this belief often expect fair outcomes and may act more ethically as a result. Studies also suggest it can reduce dishonesty in some situations.

Skeptics argue that life is messy - good people sometimes suffer, and bad people sometimes prosper. What looks like "karma" may simply be natural social consequences: kind actions build strong relationships and support, while harmful ones lead to isolation or backlash.

For those experiencing targeting or systemic injustice, karma offers hope without requiring passive waiting. It reminds us that those who go around causing harm to others are also creating future consequences for themselves - through guilt, damaged relationships, legal issues, or other reversals.

Here are Some Examples of How We Sometimes See Karma Playing Out:

1. Leaders Who Built Power Through Fear

This pattern appears repeatedly in history. Leaders or regimes that rose and ruled primarily through terror, silencing opponents, and creating atmospheres of fear and paranoia often became unstable. The very tools of control and betrayal they used on others eventually turned inward, leading to their isolation, loss of support, or sudden downfall when public resentment or internal forces grew too strong. Oppressive systems built on fear have frequently collapsed under the weight of the resistance or instability they created.

2. Corrupt Systems That Turn on Its Creators

This is one of the clearest and most documented historical examples. During periods of extreme revolutionary violence and mass executions (such as the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror), the leaders who created and championed the system of terror and purges to eliminate "enemies" were later arrested and executed by the same mechanisms they had built. The atmosphere of fear and summary justice they fostered eventually consumed many of its own architects.

3. Exploiters Who Lose Everything Through Greed

History is full of powerful figures or groups who amassed great wealth and influence by ruthlessly exploiting people, resources, or systems while ignoring widespread suffering. Over time, this often triggered strong backlash - through public outrage, economic collapse, loss of alliances, or political upheaval - resulting in dramatic falls from power, financial ruin, or lasting damage to their legacy and security. The short-term gains from unchecked greed frequently gave way to long-term consequences on a similar scale.

A Thought for Targeted Individuals

Whether you see karma as a spiritual law or a practical pattern of cause and effect, its core message is simple and empowering:

Actions create ripples. 

The wheel of life turns.

And we eventually meet the results of what we have done. 

As the saying goes, "What Goes Around Come Around".

In the meantime, for TIs, your response to hardship matters. Choosing integrity, truth-seeking, and compassion plants seeds for your own resilience and eventual balance.

Karma is not about revenge or sitting back. It is about reclaiming your power through wise choices, even in difficult times.

If you have thoughts or experiences related to karma, feel free to share them in the comments 👍