Karma

The law of cause and effect: actions have consequences, in this life and the next.

Karma is a Sanskrit word that literally means deed or action. In Hinduism, and also in Buddhism and Jainism, it stands for the law of cause and effect: every deed, every word and even every intention leaves a trace, which sooner or later bears fruit. Good deeds bring good consequences, harmful deeds harmful ones.

Karma is not a punishment or reward handed out by a judge, but a natural lawfulness, comparable to a seed that sprouts. The consequences can show in this life, but according to the tradition also in a next life. Karma is thus connected with samsara, the cycle of birth and rebirth: what you do partly determines the circumstances in which you return.

The Bhagavad Gita adds an important idea: karma yoga, acting without attachment to the fruits. Krishna teaches Arjuna that you should do your duty without being led by gain or loss. Whoever acts that way does not bind themselves further to the cycle.

Karma plays a role in dream interpretation in two ways. Some texts see dreams as a place where old impressions, samskaras, come to the surface: traces of earlier deeds and experiences. A recurring dream can be read in that light as something that still wants to be processed. On the other hand a dream can be read as an encouragement: an image pointing you to what you do and what comes of it.

In Western usage karma is often simplified to what you give, you get back. In the tradition it is richer: it is about awareness of your actions, not fear of punishment. On Dreamkin we read dreams in that spirit, as an invitation and not as a verdict.