What Goes Around Comes Around: Understanding the Reality of Kamma

 

By Lynn Lynn Myat Oo

We have all heard the phrase, “What g o e s a r o u n d comes around”. Whether spoken as a warning, a comforting reassurance, or a casual observation after witnessing poetic justice, this proverb captures an ancient truth that spans cultures and generations: Kamma is real.

While pop culture often reduces Kamma to a cosmic vending machine – where good deeds instantly buy rewards and bad deeds trigger immediate punishment – the true nature of Kamma is far deeper, more subtle, and profoundly psychological and spiritual.

The True Meaning of Kamma

At its core, the word Kamma originates from Pali, meaning “action” or “deed”. It is not a mystical force or an external judge keeping score of your life. Instead, it is the universal law of cause and effect.

Just as physical laws govern the natural world – for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction – Kamma operates on human intention, energy, and behaviour. Every thought, word, and action sets a ripple in motion.

Intentional Energy: Kamma isn’t just about what you do, but why you do it. Actions rooted in kindness, integrity, and empathy create a positive psychological and social environment. Actions rooted in deceit, malice, and selfishness create chaos, distrust, and friction.

The Ripple Effect: When you treat people with disrespect, you invite hostility. When you build others up, you foster loyalty and support. In this sense, your external world often reflects your internal state.

Why Kamma Isn’t Instant (The Misconception)

One of the reasons people sometimes doubt Kamma is that justice doesn’t always happen immediately. We often see unkind people thrive or hardworking, kind individuals face hardship, leading to the frustrating question: Does Kamma even work?

The truth is, Kamma is not a microwave meal; it doesn’t operate on a strict deadline.

Cultivating Positive Energy

Believing in Kamma shouldn’t make you live in fear of making a mistake; rather, it should empower you to live intentionally. Because what goes around truly comes around, you have the power to shape your own destiny through daily choices:

1. Choose Empathy Over Ego: Before reacting out of anger or pride, pause. Ask yourself how your words will impact the other person.

2. Practice Unconditional Kindness: Do good things not because you expect a reward, but because of the kind of person it makes you.

3. Take Accountability: If you mess up, own it. Cleaning up your past mistakes stops negative cycles of Kamma (Kammavatta in Pali) from repeating

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar