Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
Is Karma Real? | Unveiled
Unveiled
Follow
1/26/2024
Category
😹
Fun
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
How many times have you been told, or have you thought, that something that happens to
00:04
you is the result of karma?
00:06
In the modern world, karma has become a kind of catch-all term; an explanation to seemingly
00:11
link any one action, event, or experience to another previous action, event, or experience.
00:17
But whenever we do drop the k-word, what's really happening behind the scenes of reality?
00:22
This is Unveiled, and today we're answering the extraordinary question; Is Karma Real?
00:27
Do you need the big questions answered?
00:32
Are you constantly curious?
00:34
Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?
00:37
And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!
00:40
Karma is a centuries-old concept that crosses cultural boundaries.
00:43
It's a key element to various and many major belief systems, and it's a seemingly cosmic
00:49
force.
00:50
But the question always remains; is karma truly governing our destinies, or is it merely
00:55
a psychological creation?
00:57
The term "karma" finds its roots in ancient Sanskrit, with it roughly translating to mean
01:02
"action" or "deed".
01:04
As with a lot of the legend that surrounds it, the precise origin and first use is quite
01:09
unknown.
01:10
But in general, karma emerged in the religious and philosophical traditions of Hinduism and
01:15
Buddhism.
01:16
In Hinduism, karma is a fundamental concept intertwined with the cycle of reincarnation.
01:21
It posits that the consequences of your actions, both good and bad, will go on to influence
01:26
the course of your future lives.
01:28
It's a web of cause and effect, known as the law or principle of karma, which forever encourages
01:34
followers to always try to do the right thing.
01:37
Good deeds breed good karma, which leads to a pleasant and comfortable path through to
01:42
your next life.
01:43
The idea is much the same in Buddhism, too, where karma means that actions shape the trajectory
01:48
of your existence.
01:50
However, Buddhism famously introduces the idea of "breaking free" from the cycle of
01:54
rebirth through enlightenment, through reaching nirvana, at which point karma has a less prominent
02:00
role.
02:01
Elsewhere, karma has found a place in Jainism, Sikhism, and it influences a number of Western
02:06
New Age philosophies.
02:08
Each system, religion, and culture imbues karma with its own unique flavour, with various
02:13
different and subtle nuances, but the essence remains.
02:17
It's a moral law of cause and effect.
02:20
Throughout history, then, ideas around karma have formed the basis for countless myths
02:24
and legends.
02:26
For example, in Hindu mythology, there's the figure of King Harishchandra, who is famed
02:31
for his unwavering commitment to truth and for always keeping his promise.
02:36
Harishchandra is put through a series of major, sometimes harrowing misfortunes.
02:40
However, because despite his suffering, he still keeps his word and integrity, good karma
02:46
eventually means that he is rewarded.
02:48
No matter how bad things get, so the story goes, you will come out the other side of
02:53
your troubles if you avoid bad karma.
02:56
In Buddhist folklore, the Jataka tales recount stories of Buddha's past lives and also emphasize
03:02
the importance of virtuous actions in the journey towards enlightenment.
03:06
These stories therefore show the enduring effect of karma, highlighting how it's a force that
03:11
is often felt only long, long after the original virtuous or non-virtuous act.
03:17
Religious doctrines and theological morality tales aren't enough to definitely prove that
03:21
karma is real, however.
03:23
Over recent years and decades, we've seen philosophies rise that attempt to make better
03:27
sense of, and often oppose, what's really happening.
03:30
For instance, existentialism.
03:32
Many existentialist thinkers, such as the writer and critic Jean-Paul Sartre, would
03:36
likely reject the deterministic nature of karma.
03:39
For them, the whole thing demands too much of a submission to unknown powers.
03:43
Instead, they focus more on personal responsibility and the freedom to choose one's actions,
03:49
emphasizing individual agency and subjective experience, rather than some kind of higher,
03:54
guiding hand… which is essentially what karma amounts to.
03:58
Nevertheless, the idea of psychological karma has taken some hold in modern times.
04:03
The general suggestion is that our actions, chosen or not so, clearly do influence our
04:08
mental and emotional states from that point forward.
04:11
In this way, karma might be viewed more like an accumulation of experience… some of which
04:16
will impact you in noticeably positive or negative ways, depending on what it is you
04:21
have (or haven't) done.
04:23
Still, neither philosophy nor psychology offers empirical, physical evidence… if there is
04:29
any to be found.
04:30
For that, there are some scientific theories that attempt to bridge the gap between a spiritual
04:35
feeling and cold, hard proof.
04:38
Although none has yet revealed any undeniable evidence, there are a couple of fields with
04:42
some interesting crossovers.
04:44
Such as in the ever-murky world of neuroscience, the study of the brain.
04:49
In analysing the inner workings of the human brain, researchers can show that it does at
04:54
least physically record and process moral experiences.
04:58
Actions that could be deemed "good" may trigger positive neural responses, and when
05:03
done over a prolonged period of time, can lead to positive cognitive habits.
05:08
Such as feelings of confidence, happiness, or contentedness.
05:11
At the same time, actions that could be deemed "bad" can set all our worst and negative
05:16
neural pathways flashing.
05:18
In either case, any action in the present seemingly does have the capability of influencing
05:23
our future wellbeing and our overall lives.
05:26
Perhaps this could be said to be karma in action.
05:29
And finally, there's the emerging field that seemingly could hold the answer for almost
05:33
all of life's greatest mysteries, in one way or another… quantum physics.
05:37
The biggest potential link between this and karma is that experiments have shown that
05:41
at their lowest levels, seemingly unconnected particles can be shown to actually be very
05:46
deeply connected.
05:48
Thanks to quantum entanglement, we even know that two subatomic particles will remain intrinsically
05:53
linked no matter the physical distance between them.
05:56
They could exist at literally two ends of the universe, and yet whatever happens to
06:00
one will be mirrored by whatever happens to the other.
06:04
This in itself doesn't prove karma… but there's some argument that a similarly spooky
06:09
relationship perhaps could exist between actions and consequences.
06:13
That in an infinite universe, what we know happens with subatomic particles could also,
06:18
somehow, happen with larger, macro things.
06:21
And perhaps this is karma, instead.
06:23
However you view it, what's clear is that for many people, karma does at least play
06:27
a role in how they live their lives… and seemingly in how their lives play out.
06:32
The belief that good actions lead to positive consequences, whether in this life or the
06:36
next, fosters a sense of moral responsibility.
06:40
The fear of retribution for badness, either in life right now or in future incarnations,
06:45
serves as a deterrent against engaging in harmful behaviour.
06:48
Of course, opponents to karma would argue that you shouldn't need the supposed influence
06:53
of something higher than yourself to persuade you not to do bad things.
06:56
Equally, you shouldn't only do good things in the hope for some kind of cosmic payoff
07:00
in the future.
07:01
But still, when apparently good karma arrives unexpectedly, those who encounter it are left
07:06
feeling satisfied.
07:08
When supposedly bad karma arrives without warning, those who meet it are left to consider
07:12
their life choices.
07:14
Ultimately, as yet, there is nothing by way of clear, empirical, solid evidence that karma
07:19
does really exist.
07:20
Certainly, the idea of karma exists in a big way, and therefore does hold sway over how
07:26
many, even millions of humans live their lives.
07:29
And there are hints at some kind of physical embodiment of karma, via early studies into
07:34
specific neural networks and potential quantum links.
07:37
But, again, nothing has been proven beyond doubt, and, in fact, far from it.
07:42
What's your personal view?
07:44
Have you experienced karma before?
07:46
Have you witnessed it in action?
07:48
Do you live by the law of karma yourself?
07:50
Or do you believe that nothing about it is even remotely possible?
07:54
Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
07:57
For now, karma can at least serve as a moral compass for many who even suspect that it
08:01
could be real, guiding actions and potentially shaping destinies.
08:06
It drives a feeling of accountability, reminding individuals of the interconnectedness of their
08:11
choices with the rest of the world, and even with the broader cosmic order.
08:15
While science may not endorse the many metaphysical aspects of karma, it does acknowledge the
08:20
psychological and societal impact that it can have.
08:23
That impact is a real thing.
08:25
So, is karma a true force, weaving the threads of fate all around us?
08:31
Or is it merely a construct of the human mind, seeking to make sense of the complexities
08:35
of life?
08:36
It seems as though there will always be two sides to this particular debate.
08:40
What do you think?
08:41
Is there anything we missed?
08:43
Let us know in the comments, check out these other clips from Unveiled, and make sure you
08:47
subscribe and ring the bell for our latest content.
Recommended
5:31
|
Up next
Law Of KARMA Explained - What Is The Law Of Cause & Effect? | Soultalks With Shubha
MindBodySoul
11/26/2019
6:21
The Law Of Karma | Care TV
Care Tv
10/13/2016
4:48
REVERSE BAD KARMA | How To Change Your Destiny? | Soultalks With Shubha
MindBodySoul
12/3/2019
1:47:54
Twists Of Karma
Movie Studio 89
5/1/2025
23:10
Karma carries the seed of its own destruction || Acharya Prashant, on Raman Maharshi (2020)
Acharya Prashant
9/5/2024
2:41:00
karma Raise ME Better Full Movies
Drama Hot (EnglishSub)
yesterday
0:58
Does Karma Apply to Animals? || Acharya Prashant
Acharya Prashant
7/5/2024
1:47:53
Twists Of Karma Full Movie
Redfox82
6/24/2025
0:29
Karma is a b*tch! (ft. LOLFOX Academy)
MassGeekdom
3/1/2018
1:56:00
Twists Of Karma â €full movie
Eagle
5/16/2025
2:20
Instant Karma
StoryfulViral
12/21/2017
1:02
Karma | show | 2025 | Official Teaser
JustWatch
3/6/2025
1:15
What Does It Mean When We Say That Venus Has an Evolving Surface?
Amaze Lab
yesterday
1:05
The Milky Way is Actually Producing More Stars Than Previously Believed
Amaze Lab
yesterday
1:01
Check Out This Wild Lava Field In Iceland With a Very Dark Past
Amaze Lab
yesterday
5:20
What If All the Sea Water Becomes Fresh Water?
WHAT IF
2/21/2024
4:29
What If the Earth Was Cut in Half?
WHAT IF
2/16/2024
3:35
What If All Humans Were Asexual?
WHAT IF
1/31/2024
5:15
What If You Were Attacked By A Giant Squid? | Squid Attack | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
Peekaboo
3/8/2023
6:16
Who Invented Telephone? | Invention of Telephone | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
Peekaboo
3/4/2023
5:57
Pearl Formation | How Do Oysters Make Pearls? | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
Peekaboo
2/27/2023
1:13:44
UAP Disclosure, NHI Motivations and AI with Steven Brown PhD | Unveiled Ep. 8
Unveiled
3/20/2025
8:38
Are We Near Death's End?
Unveiled
3/15/2025
1:19:37
Abductee Whitley Strieber On The Grays And Humanity's Lost Powers | Unveiled Ep. 7
Unveiled
3/12/2025
10:58
13 Bizarre Discoveries In Antarctica
Unveiled
3/8/2025