What does bad karma mean?

What Gurudev says

You've probably heard the phrase "bad karma" plenty of times — but what actually is it? Gurudev doesn't turn it into something mysterious. He makes it very concrete.

It will automatically go when you live in knowledge, when you are in Satsang, when you meditate and when you do Sudarshan Kriya . Why do you do all these things? All these can erase your bad karma. What is bad karma? It is the bad impressions in your mind; in the consciousness.

From the official Art of Living website — “Peace Is The First Step Towards God” (Apr 28 2012)

So for Gurudev, bad karma isn't something external punishing you from outside. It's something that has settled as an impression in your own consciousness. And because it's an impression in the mind, he also describes it as something that inner practice can change again.

What you can do

1. See bad karma as an impression, not a verdict. For Gurudev it's simply bad impressions in the mind — not a permanent stain on who you are.
2. Bring more knowledge and understanding into your everyday life. Gurudev names living in knowledge as one of the ways bad impressions can dissolve.
3. Make time for community and connection (satsang). Gurudev also counts this among the things that can erase bad karma.
4. Make meditation a regular part of your day. Meditation is one of the practices Gurudev names in this context — try out how regularly pausing like this feels for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is karma, explained simply? Gurudev explains karma through the example of hurt: what happens to you right now is often nature bringing back something you caused in the past — knowing this can bring more settledness instead of feeling like a victim. At its core, karma for him simply means action: past, present, and future deeds leave impressions that shape what shows up as a result now.

What is karma? Gurudev traces the question of worry back to its root: pleasant and unpleasant events arise according to your own karma and simply pass through you. At its core, he explains karma as action: past actions are impressions, future actions are impressions too, and the present action is the karma giving you a result right now.

Why do seemingly undeserved bad things happen to some people? Gurudev says pleasant and unpleasant events arise according to your own karma and pass through you. Using the example of hurt, he explains further: what happens to you is often nature bringing back something from your past — understanding this tends to leave you feeling settled rather than treated unfairly.

What does karma mean? Gurudev explains that karma simply means action: past actions are impressions, future actions are impressions too, and the present action is the karma giving you a result right now. Elsewhere he describes it as the impression of the past that draws similar situations into the future, while the present action creates a fresh impression in the mind.

Related questions

• What does resolving karma mean?
• What is karma yoga?
• What does it mean to act without expecting a particular result?
• What is the difference between karma and responsibility?
• What is karma?
• Karma & Action — overview

Sources

The quotes on this page come from:

• Official Art of Living website — “Peace Is The First Step Towards God” (Apr 28 2012)