Karma: A Yogis Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by Sadhguru

Karma: A Yogis Guide to Crafting Your Destiny Reviews

• 
  Kevin Wilson

  Reading an advance copy of Sadhguru’s “Karma” book was a profound experience. It brought back glimpses I have had of the unknowable and unexplainable, and finally gave them meaning and context.
  
  In the book Sadhguru describes karma as a vast library of past, present, and future events – a place he said he often ventures into for answers to life’s most complex questions. So many times, I’ve seen someone ask Sadhguru a question, and then he glances away and closes his eyes for a split second, and then returns with the perfect answer.
  
  Sadhguru has explained in “Karma” how we are creating new additions for the karmic library, and how we can gain more control over the direction our lives are taking. It becomes clear when reading this book why Sadhguru stresses responsibility and awareness in Inner Engineering, and the inevitability of the moment – because of each of us are creating our lives using a karmic pattern that everyone who has ever lived on this planet has contributed to.
  
  How did we get to where we are now in life? Where is it going next? Why does the groupthink of society seem to be going in the wrong direction? All of the answers are in this karmic library of experiences, memory, and potential futures.
  
  So, what can we do to change it with the small hands, head, and heart that we have? That is the essence of why I was first moved by Sadhguru. Working together, we might be able to help the world change course.
  
  I think Sadhguru’s book, “Karma,” could be the first step in that direction for many people who have not yet experienced what we have as Isha meditators. It provides answers to so many deep questions. That’s why I highly recommend getting a copy of this book, reading it for yourself, and then sharing it with your friends.
  
• 
  Tina Shah

  Sadhguru has written a masterpiece, a beautiful one-of-a-kind book on what it means to be a human being and what we can do right now.
  
  Karma is a trip! For a long time, I thought that the point of life was to get good karma to have a pleasant life. It turns out karma is not what I thought it was. It's not something to get ahead of. Instead, it is an absolute miracle worth exploring.
  
  Read this book if you want to be amazed, empowered, and want an action plan for life.
• 
  Ashish Iyer

  Sadhguru has broken the karma concept in easy language. It gives a clear understanding of the term karma and give clear meaning with prompt examples for better understanding. How living in the moment makes such a big difference and why it is important. It dispels many misconceptions about Karma and make us realized how lightly we are using 'karma' word for everything. Each chapter has Sadhana or Kriya for practice. This book will change the very purpose of life. Even his previous book Death changed many perspective of mine. It changes the way how we look towards life. I recommend everyone to read his Karma and Death book. Enlightening read they were.
• 
  Ahselhs

  Book about KARMA! That too by SADHGURU!!!! OMG! Karm Yog book by Swami Vivekanand had always been a gem of my life, I reread that book every year. And now knowing that I'll get to read more about it from Sadhguru's perspective is just ❤
• 
  Avani ✨

  Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by Sadhguru is a new perspective on the overused and misunderstood concept of "karma" that offers the key to happiness and enlightenment. The book definitely holds a lot of goodness to it. I have been always wanted to read his books, and hence I picked this up.
  
  In Karma, Sadhguru seeks to put you back in the driver's seat, turning you from a terror-struck passenger to a confident driver navigating the course of your own destiny. By living consciously and fully inhabiting each moment, you can free yourself from the cycle.
  
  Karma is an exploration and a manual, restoring our understanding of karma to its original potential for freedom and empowerment instead of a source of entanglement. Through Sadhguru's teachings, you will learn how to live intelligently and joyfully in a challenging world.
  
  I am currently half way through the book and I am quite impressed with the thoughs and writings of Sadhguru in this book. But however, there are some lessons and learning which does not line with my principles, but nevertheless, this happens with every spiritual and self-help book, and we should always seek to explore new perspectives on these topics.
• 
  Kushagra Singh

  A book cannot contain Karma as a concept and its intricacies; Karma is an experience that dawns upon a seeker in time. Sadhguru isn’t trying to explain intricate philosophies as well via the book. Through the book, he espouses a way of living that no matter what kind of action you perform, you can make it joyful for you.
  
  What I most admire and resonate with Sadhguru is how he treats karma as a matter of taking responsibility. Without getting into endless debates on how, what, when, why (although such themes are addressed to an extent), the reader is encouraged to take stock of what is and try and make something good from it for themselves and the world around them.
  
  The long time followers of Sadhguru’s work will not find any new content as such. Much of the book’s content has already been disseminated in Inner Engineering programs, the Inner Engineering book etc. However, the book is a nice reinforcement of the good ideas accumulated from the programs and is a page turner.
  
  Everyone will enjoy the book as well written, easily understood (at least on gross level) and comes handy with nice exercises (Sadhna) one can try and experiment by themselves.
  
  A pleasant read. 😊
• 
  mahesh

  Received this copy on Apr 27th, Content in the book try to debunk the myth and distortion corrupting the meaning of "Karma". Once you reach the ending of the book, Your discretion theory of Karma will take a turn towards personal responsibility. The book is divided into three segments Firstly, it reveals the fallacy in our understanding of Karma and offers an authentic meaning. Secondly, it explores Karma yoga and the reduction of different types of karma through conscious practice. Every main topic ends with Sadhana in between to assimilate practice along with the wisdom. Lastly, books end with a question and answers related to Karma.
  Though Content is enlightening and profound, You might get jaded to read if you have read Sadhguru's previous book because all these topics are explored in a separate chapter of the previous books.
  
  If you need an honest answer, I have learned nothing novel here, the Sole purpose of buying this book is to contribute to the ISHA Foundation for the good fare of those in need. If you are already read Karma yoga by Vivekandad and previous books By Sadhguru, You might not be going to enjoy it entirely.
• 
  Arsh

  If Karma revisits us from the past, it doesn't matter whether it is a past life or yesterday. Things can only be dealt with in the present.
  
  This book contains some of the deep questions that have been contemplated by sages and seers for centuries that could settle a tensed and distracted mind and explore such deep questions.
  
  However, its not very fruitful to use the doctrine of Karma to explain the world.
  Worrying about the Karma of other people is in the end a useless preoccupation by itself.
• 
  Dawn

  Very good but a bit confusing, or overwhelming, to me at times.
  
  Sadhguru is a fully enlighten being, and speaks from experience and observation.
  
  There is an abundance of information and I would say that not everyone will be receptive to what is conveyed. He asks only that you explore and observe for yourself, not to blindly trust. He intertwines sadhanas, tools for self exploration, so you can do so.
  
  
  He dispels myths about Karma and explains how one can work toward not accumulating anymore as we all work in this lifetime to burn up our allotted karma.
  
  My only wish is that he elaborate more on certain topics.
• 
  Niv

  For most of us, karma is what we want it to be. It's the amorphous benevolent force that rewards us for our charity and punishes us for our crimes. We believe that it is a system that gives us what we deserve, whatever we deserve, based on how good or bad of a person we've been. While this idea may bring a certain kind of solace, it's clear to most that it isn't a true reflection of how life works. "Bad" things happen to "good" people, and vice versa. If karma as we know it exists, then how can we explain the fact that our world is rife with injustices?
  
  The answer is that karma as we know it is not karma as it is. In Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny, Sadhguru dismantles our misconceptions surrounding the concept and offers a detailed explanation of exactly what karma is and how it operates in our lives. However, this book isn't a simple how-to manual; it does not dictate how you should live your life. It is a book that calls for self-evaluation. It calls for us to ask ourselves: what does it look like to consciously live life?
  
  Regardless of whether or not you connect to the mystical aspects this book, it is chock full of useful nuggets that you can carry into everyday life. It's also quite an entertaining read if you enjoy fables, as Sadhguru uses many stories to help illustrate his points. Spiritually, it's the kind of book that evolves with you and calls forth a deeper level of introspection each time you read it. I personally foresee myself returning back to this book time and time again.
  
  Thanks to Goodreads and Harmony Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Tarini Chandrashekhar

  I'm only writing the review of this book so that the reader knows what they should be expecting when picking up the book because to actually review the book would be like explaining the ocean with a drop, and it would imply I comprehended everything mentioned in the book, which I don't, yet. In the modern context, we throw around Karma as a blanket phrase to mean the 'punishing hand', 'an excuse to explain our inaction', and even as a lazy explanation for 'doing good deeds', 'being good', or 'being nice'. Rarely does Karma get mentioned and comprehended in the context of work that needs to be done, and its intent, without polluting it with the subjective ideas of good or bad.
  
  There are many interesting and deep concepts concerning Karma, which are introduced throughout the book, and it might be overwhelming but if I had to observe a recurring theme throughout the book, which even the author admits to, openly, is the Karma Paradox - one who bases his every activity to shed his karma, is the one who ends up accumulating it more. It's something like living your life walking the rope of total involvement and abandonment all at once. It seems counter-intuitive at first if you're reading this. But the way this book puts it, it suddenly becomes clear, that if you're totally involved with the process, somewhere in the belly of the process, you've already distanced yourself from the outcome, and therefore your abandon is a natural outcome of your total involvement at the moment.
  
  As is with most books, you'll only read it, when it's time to receive it. Until you're internally ready to be a receptacle, it might be hard to finish the book. So, it's okay, if you pick it up and then leave it for later. It doesn't reflect anything other than the fact that it isn't time yet.
• 
  Daksh Jindal

  Such an amazing book which goes deep into my favourite part of Bhagwad Gita that is Karma yoga.
  The way Sadhguru describes Karma and relates it to our real life is just eye opening. Part 1 of the book is my favourite as it goes deep into the practicalities of Karma and how to unchain ourselves from different types of Karmic memories.
  Part 2 and 3 goes deep into metaphysical world which is a little difficult grasp but very fascinating to imagine. I can’t comment on that part much as I need to experience it to believe and I am sure I will experience it one day.
  Overall a very good book which makes you feel like Sadhguru is sitting in front of you revealing all the yogic knowledge.
• 
  Sharang Limaye

  Underwhelming for the non-believer. While the author's effort to rationalize some age-old Hindu concepts are welcome, his premise for this book - the need to shed one's karma - is not something that would figure very high on the average Joe's priority list. Also, the very concept of karma remains hazy even after having read the book in its entirety. Then there are the references to Sadhguru's yogic powers that reek of self-aggrandizement. If you are on the lookout for a definitive guide to Hindu philosophy, look elsewhere.
• 
  Vaishali

  Just wow.
  
  Notes
  —���——
  
  “Conceptual knowledge is the way of the academic. Perceptual knowledge is the way of the yogi.”
  
  “In shifting responsibility from heaven to oneself, one becomes the very maker of one’s destiny.”
  
  “Although karma means action, it does not necessarily refer to physical deeds… karma is action on three levels: body, mind, and energy.”
  
  “Your five senses are collecting data from the outside world every moment of your life. You are literally being bombarded with stimuli at every instant. Over time, this enormous volume of sense impressions begins to assume a certain distinctive pattern within you. This pattern slowly shapes itself into behavioral tendencies. A cluster of tendencies hardens over time into what you call your personality, or what you claim to be your true nature… This becomes your karma - an orientation to life that you have created for yourself in relative unawareness.”
  
  “… Karma is like old software that you have written for yourself unconsciously… As time goes on, your turn into a puppet of your accumulated past.. The backup systems are so efficient that even if you lose your body or your mind, you still do not lose your karma.”
  
  “If one does not consciously rewrite one’s karmic software, the regularity of the pattern can feel like it is being imposed from without, rather than initiated from within. But this software is not a fate to be endured. It can be rewritten, dropped, or distanced…”
  
  “… Whatever happens in the mind immediately imprints itself on the body as a chemical process… If you think of mountains, for instance, your chemistry will react in one way; if you think of tigers it reacts in another. So for every minute mental fluctuation there is a certain type of chemical reaction and sensation… You are therefore a living repository of karmic memory on levels you are not aware of.”
  
  “If you touch the firmament of your mind just once, the resulting ripples are enough to keep going for lifetimes.”
  
  “Over time, this has a cumulative impact on cellular and genetic memory, as well as on the energy system.”
  
  “The unconscious mind is therefore a tremendous library of karmic memory. You will find this information very useful if you were approaching it consciously.”
  
  “So karma is not some external system of crime and punishment. It is an internal cycle generated by you.”
  
  “The solar cycle is a period of 4356 days (nearly 12 years). Someone who lives according to the solar cycle leads a life of great health, well-being, alignment and minimal friction.”
  
  “If your life runs in 3-6 month cycles, you are in a serious state of psychological imbalance. The same inner upheavals or life situations will keep recurring every few months.”
  
  “With yogic practices, the aspiration is to move toward the solar cycle so your balance and stability are assured… you no longer wear your karma as a tight-skinned garment; you learn to wear it more loosely.”
  
  “However it does not matter what volumes of karma you have; the moment you start stepping into the subtler dimensions of etheric and bliss bodies, your karma cannot touch you. The law of cause and effect can operate only on the physical, mental and energy levels… The moment you begin to taste the divine… your karma has no hold over you.”
  
  “Depending on the type of [vasana] you emit, you attract certain kinds of life situations to yourself.”
  
  “Depending on the nature of the work, I adjust the tone of my vasana… this is the way every spiritual master operates.”
  
  “Every individual’s energies carry a certain fragrance. The physical body falls back to the earth; however the residue of each one of our thoughts, actions, and above all our energies lingers on… The more conscious the energy work, the more enduring it is.”
  
  “The moment you view everyone with love, your intention is automatically inclusive. Regardless of what blunders you commit in the name of love, the karsti not accumulate beyond a point. Your intention makes all the difference. If you say something prompted by love, and another person gets hurt, that is his karma, not yours. But if you say something out of hatred and another person has no problem with it, it is good karma for them and not for you!
  “It is not difficult to guess which will breed the worst karmas. By worst I do not mean the most immoral; I mean that which creates the worst consequences for you.”
  
  “…[Operate] out of a state of inner fulfillment rather than inner hankering. Once this is accomplished your life becomes an expression of bliss, not a pursuit of it.”
  
  “On an unconscious mission of self-destruction, we have compromised this extraordinary birthright of being the true masters of our life.”
  
  “If you allow humanity to overflow, the divine will happen.”
  
  “The rocks and trees and various objects around you are throwing out different vibrations right now. Every pebble, every stone, is saying something. The problem is only that most people are not sensitive enough to hear them or do not possess enough attention to decipher their language.”
  
  “As the karmic volume increases in volume, the discerning mind becomes almost useless, because you now work largely by habits, patterns and cycles.”
  
  “Suffering has to be baked fresh every day.”
  
  “… I consciously remember several lifetimes. But I do not carry this as a burden…. I carry much more memory than most but I am not encumbered by it because I keep it at a distance.”
  
  “Those who want to leave footprints will never fly.”
  
  “I am an energy mechanic, above all else.”
  
  “… Your physical body will age and decay. The mental body is a wonderful instrument but it can also rust with age… The energy body however can be completely unaffected by the aging process. You can maintain it just the way it was when you were born and keep it in mint fresh condition until you die.”
  
  “… Kriya, a powerful yogic process that renews and reinvigorates the energy body… it does not involve the physical or mental body….If practiced regularly it ensures that the energy body remains vibrant and alive.”
  
  “Most people unfortunately do not exercise their energy body so it remains weak.”
  
  “… in a state of samadhi, or equanimity, when the dance of duality no longer touches you, you can play the external game if you want, otherwise internally you are fine just as you are.”
  
  
• 
  Dr. Kashmira Gohil

  'Karma' by sadguru is a highly readable book to understand as to how the 'karma' in human life operates contrary to the people's belief of it just as a reward or punishment system for good or bad behaviour, that It's certainly more than that. The 1st part of the book, sadguru explains, what is karma and it's cyclical nature which affects three main layers of a human being, annamayakosha (physical body made up of food), manomayakosha (mental body) and pranmayakosha (energy body). He explains in detail about the collective karma (sanchit karma) and the prarabdha karma (present karma). In the 2nd part of the book,sadguru, explains as to how one can become free of this tedium of cyclic pattern of karma. Each chapter ends with a brief 'sadhna' session where certain breif steps are described as a spiritual discourse to start doing certain things to free yourself from collecting karma or free yourself from one. Intention plays a powerful role in doubling karma than the action and the present moment is more powerful than past (memories) or future (imagination) is what sadguru clarified in the book. The 3rd part of the book deals with queries of devotees answered by sadguru. The book is easy to read and understand -even the complex concept of karma and the chapters are also interspersed with little anecdotes of shankaran pillai as a quaintessential hero invented by the sadguru for humor. 4 stars for this one. Highly Recommended.
• 
  HajarRead

  Favorite book of the year! (Finally)
• 
  Kimberly

  Like many people, I have always viewed karma as something negative that comes back to you as a result of misdoings on your part. After reading Karma by Sadhguru, I now realize that I have been looking at karma the wrong way. This very enlightening book explains that karma is neither good nor bad and has nothing to do with punishment or reward. Instead, karma means action and, as such, can be used to improve all aspects of one’s life. Divided into three parts, the first part of this book is spent on thoroughly explaining karma and how our lives are entangled within. Interesting scenarios are presented that help clarify and increase understanding. In the second part, we learn ways in which to free ourselves from karmic entanglements to live our best lives. The final section consists of questions that have been posed to the author and his corresponding answers. All in all, this book is filled with sage advice and will make you look at karma differently from before. I think everyone could learn something from this book and I would especially recommend it to readers who enjoy a more mystical view of things.
  Disclosure: I received a free copy from Harmony Books in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
• 
  Ronan Colfer

  I am currently reading this book by Sadhguru and so far it is a really wonderful and insightful read. I'm already learning a lot about what karma is and isn't, and I find it a difficult book to put down as the content that Sadhguru is bringing to light is just so deep and profound in my opinion, yet it is delivered in such a clear way, as well as with lots of humor as there are many Shankaran Pillai anecdotes so far.
  I am very excited to continue reading this great book and to find out more about how karma affects my life and how I can use it to live a life I truly want and not one based on compulsive cyclical tendencies
• 
  Alida

  This book should literally be on the hands of every human being who can read! Sadhguru sheds light on the fundamentals of life with piercing clarity, leaving no room for speculation, belief or disbelief, because what is crystal clear we need not believe or disbelieve - we can SEE and KNOW for ourselves.
  I'd say this is probably the most empowering book ever! It shifts ones perspective from untruth to truth, from living in fear of the unknown to becoming masters of our lives. As the saying goes "only truth shall set you free", this book is definitely a key to unlock the truth of our existence and why our experience of life is the way it is and how we can take charge of that.
  A gift to the world - please make use of it! 🙏🌹