The Second Law of Karma

The Second Law of Karma

The second law of karma puts a little urgency into doing good.

But first, lets see how you did with the first law of karma. Did you create good karma by creating the intention to do good to others? Did you notice this law in action in your life? Did you catch yourself cussing under your breath at someone who cut you off? I hope so because I am visualizing the ripple effect of good karma extending from me to you to others and so on.

Now onto the second law of karma. In my own words according to my interpretations it could be stated to be the following:

The strength of karma expands over time.

That’s it. Pretty simple. But again, the implications can be huge, both good and bad.

The Bad News about the Second Law of Karma

First, the bad news is that if you produce a bad thought or action and then let it linger on your mind for a long time, the karma expands so that when it eventually ripens, it will be worse. It’s like your subconscious knows you produced bad karma and it won’t forget it until you make up for it.

So if you curse the person that you intended to help, in the example from last month, the act of cursing them will be on your subconscious until the bad karma comes back to you. Maybe the next day, as you enter the building, someone will fail to hold a door open for you.

Or if it weighs on your subconscious longer, maybe a month later, someone will slam a door in your face. To avoid the door slamming in your face, you need to make up for it.

The Good News about the Second Law of Karma

This is where the good news comes into play. To make up for the bad karma, you don’t need to be Ghandi or Mother Theresa. Just have nice thoughts and do simple acts.

If you cussed someone under your breath, make a point of saying thank you the next time someone lets you on the elevator before them. Or if you notice someone’s new outfit, tell them they look nice.

If you do this diligently for a while, someone will eventually ask you to join them in a business venture or invite you to their cabin in the Swiss Alps. If you do this every day for the next 10 or 50 years, someone may eventually ask you to make a video of your life or write a book about you.

Isn’t that what Ghandi and Mother Theresa did?

All this because the good karma that you create will expand over time, thanks to the second law of karma.

Tips for Incorporating the Second Law of Karma into your Business & Life

Remember the homework from the First Law of Karma ? Ask yourself what you want most and then on a daily basis, write the 3 best things you did to help others get what you want and the 3 worst things you did that caused others to not get what you want.

Now add another component to the exercise and write one or two “to do” items to make up for the 3 worst things you did.

If you were cheap and didn't offer to pay for lunch while networking with a potential client, make a point of buying donuts or coffee for the office. If you told a little white lie, make a point of being especially honest for half a day. If you were late for a meeting, make a point of going to your next one early.

Make the “to do” simple and make sure you can do it within the day. Don’t forget to do it because you don’t want to be a liar.

The Results of the Second Law of Karma can be Amazing

From a personal perspective, this homework makes me very mindful of my actions. I still cuss under my breath and even fail to do the “to do’s” sometimes but it’s like I rectify it right away. And ultimately, my subconscious feels better and in a couple cases, I have made people’s days. I wrote a quick letter to an old professor that I hold in high regard saying thank you for the teachings and his response was:

“… many thanks for taking the time and spending the effort to make my day as you did ... I will keep your letter for review when things aren’t going so well.”

Wow, he’s a professor, doesn’t he require something more than a simple thank you to make his day? I guess not. And to think he may re-read the letter and produce the good karma again. I never thought that would happen.

Have a wonderful day. Make a ripple and watch it turn into a wave!

Feel free to pass this along to anyone you feel might get some good karma from my words.

Return to the previous the page, the Four Laws of Karma to learn about the other three laws of karma.

Return to the Youngblood Coaching Home Page from the Second Law of Karma