Hey there, friend. Pull up a seat, maybe grab a warm drink or just settle in wherever you are. I’ve got a story to share with you tonight, one that’s been on my mind lately. It’s about a young seeker, someone like you or me, searching for answers tobin a way that feels so human, so real. And as I tell it, I hope it’ll stir something in you, the way it did in me. Let’s just sit with this together, no rush, no agenda—just a quiet moment to reflect.
Picture this: a dusty village somewhere in India, the kind of place where the air hums with stillness and the sun beats down on ancient stones. There’s a young man, a disciple, sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him is his guru, an old man with a face carved by time, his voice steady like a slow river. The disciple’s been wrestling with a question, one that’s probably crossed your mind too at some point: “Guruji, what is karma? Can you help me understand it?”
The guru doesn’t jump into a lecture. He leans back a little, his eyes scanning the horizon as if the answer is written in the sky. Then he says, “Karma, my child, is the way we shape our lives. It’s not some distant punishment or reward. It’s the energy we put out into the world—through our thoughts, our words, the things we do, even the things we ask others to do for us. Every moment, whether you’re eating, walking, or just sitting quietly, you’re creating karma. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about becoming who you truly are.”
I remember the first time I really thought about that—how even my smallest thoughts, the ones I barely notice, might ripple out into the world. I was sitting in traffic one day, annoyed, grumbling to myself about being late. And then it hit me: that frustration, that energy, wasn’t just staying with me. It was coloring how I spoke to the person on the phone later, how I walked into my house. It made me pause. What kind of energy am I sending out right now? Ever had a moment like that, where you catch yourself and wonder?
The guru went on, his voice soft but firm. “Everything in this universe is energy. Your feelings, your intentions—they don’t just vanish. They move, they travel, and they come back to you. If you send out kindness, you’ll feel it return in some way. If you send out anger, well, that comes back too. It’s like planting seeds. What you sow, you reap.”
The disciple nodded slowly, and I can imagine his mind turning, maybe picturing a time he’d lashed out and later felt the sting of regret. The guru saw that look and said, “There are principles to karma, ways to live with awareness. Let me share them with you.”
He started with the simplest truth: what you give, you get. Want love? Be loving. Want respect? Offer it first. It’s not a trick—it’s about becoming the kind of person who draws those things naturally. I’ve seen this in my own life. There was a time I felt so overlooked at work, always waiting for someone to notice me. Then I started appreciating others, even in small ways, and suddenly, people started seeing me too. It wasn’t magic. It was just… karma.
The guru’s second principle was about action. “Nothing happens by itself,” he said. “If you want something—peace, success, anything—you’ve got to create it. Work for it. Don’t wait for miracles.” I can almost hear the disciple sigh, maybe hoping for an easier answer. But isn’t that the truth? I think of all the times I’ve sat around wishing for change, only to realize I had to get up and do something, even if it was messy or hard.
Then came the third principle: acceptance. “You can’t change what you don’t accept,” the guru said. “If you’re struggling, face the truth of it. Only then can you move forward.” I felt this one deep in my bones. A few years back, I was in denial about how burned out I was. Kept telling myself I was fine, until I just couldn’t anymore. Admitting it—to myself, to a friend—was the first step to healing. Have you ever had to face a hard truth like that? It’s heavy, but it’s freeing too.
The guru kept going, each principle like a stepping stone. He talked about growth, how real change starts inside us, not out there. “Don’t waste your energy trying to fix the world or other people,” he warned. “Work on yourself. That’s your true power.” Then he spoke of responsibility—how we’re the ones behind our own lives, good or bad. No blaming others. That one stings, doesn’t it? It’s so easy to point fingers, but when I’ve owned my choices, even the bad ones, I’ve felt stronger for it.
He wove in more wisdom: how everything—past, present, future—is connected. Every little thing you’ve done or learned matters. Focus on one thing at a time, he advised, or you’ll scatter yourself thin. Be the change you want to see, starting with your own corner of the world. Live in the now, not stuck in yesterday or fretting about tomorrow. Learn from history, or you’ll repeat it. Be patient—big things take time. And finallyრ
Assistant: remember, every contribution counts, no matter how small it seems. The guru’s voice grew quieter as he shared this last thought: “Everyone has something unique to give. Don’t compare yourself to others. Your work, your life—it matters to someone, even if you can’t see it.”
The disciple sat there, taking it all in, his heart a little fuller, his mind a little clearer. He bowed his head in thanks, and as he walked away, I imagine he felt a shift—like he had a map now, not to a perfect life, but to a more awake one. A life where he could choose his thoughts, his words, his steps with care.
And sitting here with you, I can’t help but wonder how this lands for you. Maybe there’s a moment from today—a kind word you spoke, or one you held back—that’s still lingering in your mind. Or maybe there’s a truth you’ve been dodging, one you’re ready to face. Karma isn’t about judgment. It’s about noticing. It’s about remembering that every little thing we do sends a ripple. And maybe, just maybe, we can choose to make those ripples kind ones.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially on days when life feels heavy. Like last week, when I snapped at someone I love over something small. The guilt sat with me all day, and I realized I had to make it right—not just for them, but for me. I apologized, and it wasn’t perfect, but it felt… honest. It felt like good karma, even if it was just a start.
So, as we sit here together, let’s just breathe with this for a moment. What kind of energy are you putting out right now? What seeds are you planting? There’s no need to answer out loud. Just let the question sit with you, like a quiet friend. Because in the end, karma isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about showing up, again and again, with as much heart as you’ve got.
Thanks for listening, for being here with me. If this story stirred something in you, I’d love to hear about it—maybe in the comments or just in your own quiet way. Until next time, take care of yourself, and take care of the energy you share. I’ll be here, same time, same place, with another story to unfold. Talk to you soon, friend.