Karma picks up where the golden rule leaves off. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—because someday it will be done unto you.

The Sanskrit word karma means “act,” “action,” “word” or “deed.” The law of karma as it is traditionally taught says that our thoughts, words and deeds—positive and negative—create a chain of cause and effect, and that we will personally experience the effect of every cause we have set in motion. Karma, therefore, is our greatest benefactor, returning to us the good we have sent to others.

Karma is also our greatest teacher, allowing us to learn from our mistakes.  Because the law of karma gives back to us whatever we have sent forth as thought, word or deed, some think of it as punishment.

Not so. The law of karma is the law of love. There is no greater love than having the opportunity to understand the consequences of our action—or our inaction— so that our soul can grow.

Karma teaches us to love and to love and to love as no other process can. It gives us hope.