Karma isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you control.

In the west, people treat karma like a cosmic justice system. Someone wrongs them and they think, “karma will get them”. But that’s just a coping mechanism. A mental frame to feel like revenge is coming, so they can move on. Or they do a good deed, like giving money to the homeless, and think the universe will reward them. It’s a childlike way of thinking. They’re letting go of control and hoping life turns out the way they want. The reality is, whatever happens or doesn’t happen is on you. You’ll be better off in life once you realise that.

The Real Mechanism

In eastern philosophy, mainly hinduism and buddhism, karma refers to the law of cause and effect. It’s not about punishment or reward. It’s about how your actions shape your future experiences. And your actions are determined by what’s going on inside your head. So to put it simply: thoughts determine action and action determine outcome. But it’s a cycle—your actions also reshape the way you think.

Every time you act against your values, you create internal confusion. You enter a fog. You can’t think clearly. And in that state, the decisions you make start working against you.

You eat fast food → feel guilty→ starve yourself the next day → overeat again.
You react in anger → regret it → stop trusting your decisions → start overthinking.
You lie → fear getting caught → lie again → become someone no one trusts.

You’re not punished for your actions. You’re punished by them.

Using Negativity

You can’t go back and change whatever you did. You ate fast food. You reacted in anger. You lied. That’s done. You also can’t change how that made you feel. Guilt, regret, and fear are already there. You’re just left with a choice: ignore the feeling, or use it as a signal.

We’ve already seen what happens when you ignore it. You become fractured. You overthink. You hesitate. You seek distractions. And eventually, you sabotage yourself. That’s what karma really is. It’s the after-effect of ignoring yourself. Instead, you have to learn how to use those feelings as a signal.

When you eat fast food and feel guilty, don’t use food to numb the guilt. Correct your behaviour and get back on track.
When you reacted in anger and regret your decisions, don’t stop trusting yourself. Learn from what you did and don’t act from emotion again.
When you lie and fear getting caught, don’t lie to cover it up. Own whatever you did and accept the consequences.

Karma isn’t an external force. It’s the after-effect of ignoring yourself. Whatever happens is a reflection of your own mind. You decide whether to sharpen that reflection — or blur it further.

Building Momentum

Momentum works in both ways. Do something you think is wrong— you feel off. That feeling shapes your actions. And those actions shape your results. Do something you believe is right — you feel aligned. That clarity leads to better choices. And better choices lead to better outcomes.

So if you want to reach your goals, whatever they are, your actions have to align with what you believe is right. And that alignment starts small.

If you think sleeping in is lazy, get up straight away.
If you think skipping the gym is weakness, don’t miss a session.
If you think watching porn is the sign of a low-value man, quit.

Every single action is a message to yourself saying: “this is who I am”. As you stay disciplined in doing what you believe is right, your confidence increases. Your mind clears. Your choices sharpen. And your “luck” improves. The universe didn’t change. You did.

The Chain Reaction

Let’s end with some higher level thinking. But don’t let it confuse you.

If you follow the logic of cause and effect far enough, you’ll realise you don’t really have any control. Your decisions are shaped by how your brain is wired and what you've experienced. Your wiring is shaped by your genetics. Which is shaped by your parents. And their wiring is shaped by theirs. Your experiences are all built on past events you didn’t choose. Even you reading this right now isn’t random. It’s the result of previous actions, habits, and thoughts all tied together. And if you decide to “take control” now — that too is just part of the chain.

So what does that mean? Free will might be an illusion. But it’s one you need to believe in. The alternative is stagnation. Doing nothing and getting no where. And that is a slow death.

Final Thoughts

Karma isn’t real. Not in the way most people think. There’s no universal judge handing out punishments and rewards. But there is cause and effect. And you are a part of that. Your actions shape your mind. Your mind shapes your decisions. And your decisions shape your life. You don’t need karma. You need clarity. Because what feels like luck, is just momentum in disguise.

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It’s Not Karma. It’s the Chain Reaction You Started.