Book SummaryKarma, by Sadhguru

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Karma

Spiritual guide and yogi Sadhguru argues that karma is the key to understanding life and how to live it. But many people misunderstand karma. He explains that karma isn't an external system of reward and punishment, but a way of living rooted in your actions, thoughts, and emotions that has profound consequences for your current and future lives. Drawing on ancient wisdom, Sadhguru explains how we can harness an understanding of karma to lead a more intentional and fulfilling life and eventually, if we choose, experience spiritual liberation.

Sadhguru, also known as Jaggi Vasudev, is a popular spiritual leader whose teachings primarily stem from his knowledge and experience as a yogi. In 1992, he established the [Isha...

Karma Summary What Is Karma?

In this first section, we’ll address misconceptions about the concept of karma and explain how Sadhguru defines it.

In Sanskrit, karma directly translates to "action" or "deed.” However, Sadhguru explains there's a common misunderstanding that karma is an account of all your actions, good and bad, tallied up by a higher power to determine appropriate rewards or punishments. For example, you cheated on your partner, and so the next day you get in a car accident—karma. But Sadhguru argues this is an overly simplified and inaccurate understanding of the idea.

(Shortform note: Popular use of the word karma in Western vernacular has contributed to a common misunderstanding of the term. For example, in a 2012 interview, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt tried to use the concept of karma to explain the conservative perspective on social policies: He suggested that conservatives' opposition to welfare or bailouts stems from a desire to see the law of karma upheld. However, Haidt fundamentally misconstrued the concept, misusing the term karma to describe what might more aptly be called Social Darwinism.)

Sadhguru...

Karma Summary The Nature of Karma

Sadhguru emphasizes that karma isn't an ideology or doctrine, but a law of the universe, like gravity or the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. You’re impacted by karma whether or not you believe in it. Everything you do, think, or feel has consequences, which might manifest immediately, after some time, or in another lifetime.

(Shortform note: Sadhguru’s argument that karma is a universal law is echoed by Fritjof Capra in The Tao of Physics. Capra explains that the concept of karma parallels the scientific principle of cause and effect or Newton’s Third Law: For every action (cause)...

Karma Summary Your Relationship to Karma

According to Sadhguru, you're in control of your relationship to karma. There are three ways you can choose to interact with it:

1. You can continue to accumulate karma: According to Sadhguru, every action, thought, and emotion you engage in leaves an imprint that adds to your karma. By living unconsciously and reacting compulsively to life's situations, you add to your karma. This continuous accumulation establishes thoughts and behavior patterns that determine the course of your life.

(Shortform note: Sadhguru's concept of accumulated karma is similar to James Clear's theory of habit formation in Atomic Habits—that repeated actions over time shape our identities. Both authors argue that our daily actions, whether positive or negative, gradually accumulate to form habits, which ultimately define who we are. For instance, if a person consistently chooses to react impatiently, they may develop a habit of impatience. Sadhguru would argue that this contributes to their karmic accumulation, and Clear would say it solidifies their identity as an...

Karma Summary How to Take Control of Your Karma

According to Sadhguru, the best way to take control of your karma is to live more consciously. Anytime you act unconsciously—based on memory rather than present and conscious awareness—you accumulate karma. However, conscious actions that are performed with full awareness, intention, and mindfulness can transform your karma, leading to a more balanced, positive life, free from the influence of past conditioning...

Karma Summary How to Release Yourself From Karma

According to Sadhguru, the most efficient way to free yourself from karma is to release all attachment to the concept of the self. He explains that by transcending the illusion of separateness and recognizing the interconnected nature of all existence, you can dissolve the boundaries that create karma, leading to a profound sense of oneness with the universe and liberation from the cycle of karma. Releasing all attachment to self will allow you to release your karma all at once.

(Shortform note: Sadhguru's perspective on relinquishing attachment to the self as a means of liberation from the cycle of karma specifically challenges the Western conception of individualism, which holds personal identity and autonomy in high regard. The idea of dissolving individual distinctness for the sake of overcoming karma poses an ideological challenge in Western contexts, where personal achievements and individual uniqueness are highly valued. However, advocating detachment from self fits more easily into Eastern philosophies and spiritual traditions, particularly those with roots in Hinduism or...

Shortform Exercise: Understand Karma Better

Sadhguru argues that many people have a misconception of karma that limits their ability to shape their future and spiritually grow.

Before reading this guide, how would you have defined karma?

Shortform Exercise: Move From Unconscious Action to Conscious Awareness

According to Sadhguru, by transforming our unconscious habits and behaviors into conscious actions, we can begin to take control of our karma and lead a more balanced and positive life less driven by our unconscious internal programming.

Identify a habitual behavior or action you perform without much thought. This could be anything from a pattern of thought, an emotional reaction, or a routine activity.