Karma: A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by Sadhguru

246 Pages
Publisher: Rodale Inc., Harmony
Release Date: April 27, 2021

Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Self-Help

The book is divided into the following parts and chapters.

Part One
Chapter 1: Karma – The Eternal Enigma
Chapter 2: Volition – The Basis of Karma
Chapter 3: Karma as Memory
Chapter 4: The Great Karmic Warehouse

Part Two
Chapter 6: Karma Yoga
Chapter 7: Karma Yoga and the Physical Body
Chapter 8: Karma Yoga and the Mental Body
Chapter 9: Karma Yoga and the Energy Body

Part Three

This book taught me that karma was more than I thought it was. I enjoyed reading about the different layers of the body, along with postures and breathing. It is written in a very easy to understand style. I think my favorite part is when the Pope is driving the car. If you need a little uplifting, this may be the book for you.

The word 'Karma' is so often used that we think of it in too simplistic terms and the commonly used meaning doesn't do it justice even a bit. Thankfully we have modern day gurus like Sadhguru to explain and impart knowledge on the deep philosophy of “karma” and demystify it for ordinary people like us. It starts off with the roots of the word on a base level to the whole world behind the concept as well.

People always blame karma for everything bad that occurs in their lives but this book will explain how it can actually be controlled by us itself. How things merge into us from surroundings, into our memories, into our genes is all explained beautifully yet in simple terms. The writing also follows the same witty Sadhguru style with real life relevant examples to reach out to people of all spheres of life. The language is simple, straightforward, not too flowery and is of conversational style to be consumed by all.

I absolutely recommend everyone to read this book and take a trip on the whole topic of “Karma”. This one is bound to be an enlightening read without a doubt! If Sadhguru is new to you, you should definitely look into his videos on youtube!

Sadhguru’s Karma book is a riveting read, a must for all interested in understanding how life works. Sadhguru has delivered a masterpiece. He has written a book not to just answer questions about karma, but as a way to open our mind to explore, experience and use it in our lives to chart our own course in life.

I grew up with the idea that karma was destiny, something that was pre-ordained, something which was beyond my comprehension. Karma was something to go through, handled, managed or even suffered, without having a choice about it.

Sadhguru totally shatters the myth that karma is destiny and so many other myths that have gathered around this word. He methodically, and painstakingly explains in detail how karma actually works and how it can be a source of our empowerment. He anticipates, counters and answers our unasked questions through out the book, including specific questions in the latter part of the book. He speaks from a certain knowing, and his piercing logic and clarity is apparent in the precise, and sometimes brutal, honesty with which he discusses the topic.

This book can be looked at as a treatise on Karma. It explores the topic intellectually and in great detail, for example, defining and classifying the different types of karma. At the same time, it is a practical guide that can be used to live one’s life consciously and joyfully. In the second part of the book, he gives specific methods and tools how one can do this and move towards liberation.

In his own inimitable style, Sadhguru intersperses the discussion on Karma with deeply insightful and witty stories which drive the point home beautifully.

The ultimate goal of the author is to get us started on a journey of self exploration of “freedom and discovery. “ He states, he is “ not interested in offering spiritual advice. …What I offer is a way, a living process”

In many ways, I felt this is a book about how life works and how we can use the process of life to create our destiny.

It is a book highly recommended for all- the novice, the intellectual, the academic, the seeker, the spiritual or simply, the curious ones.

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.

For a long time, I thought that the point of life was to get good karma to have a pleasant life.
Then, I thought that the point was to dissolve karma to have ultimate pleasantness.

Meanwhile, I did not fully know how to do either. I questioned my karmic makeup. What do I carry?! What kind of baggage do I have?

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.
This book opened me up to the true possibility of being limitless. Little did I know the opportunities karma presented for me as life!

I recommend Karma to anyone with a beating heart who loves their family, friends, and the planet because karma is our greatest empowerment.

Karma means Action. Your life is your Karma. It is entirely your doing!

With these simple yet profound truths, Sadhguru delves into exploring the mechanics of this oft misunderstood and maligned word. It leaves the reader with said truths prevailing and shining through this riveting and utterly absorbing user manual, which most of humanity has unfortunately long ignored to pay attention to.

The book aims to completely upend the conventional misinterpretation of the term Karma, and succeeds brilliantly by providing utmost clarity about what it really is! What becomes clear through the entirety of this wonderfully crafted manual is that Karma is the most dynamic way to exist, and brings to fore our own limitations in dealing with it head on. Karma is an elaborate and sophisticated mechanism, but we simply don’t have a grip on it, primarily because we haven’t taken charge of our life and faculties!

Even when one is not doing anything in particular, one’s body, mind, emotions and energy are all in action. These four actions of Karma are happening every moment of one’s life - in wakefulness and in sleep. The real question is how much of it has been conducted consciously, and how much is purely accidental?
With his inimitable wit and wisdom, Sadhguru demystifies this complex subject into a practical guide, enabling and empowering one to craft one’s own destiny.

Reading an advance copy of Sadhguru’s “Karma” book was a profound experience. It brought back memories of 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.

I had no idea, before reading Sadhguru’s Karma book, just how wrong I got it. I thought that “karma” was a system of punishments and rewards, that when misfortune happened, I was paying back a past-due debt, and good deeds were a deposit towards some future reward. Even if I handled whatever was thrown my way, I secretly believed that I didn’t really have control, and life felt like suffering – a series of judgments of good and bad, with no equanimity.

In this beautiful, eye-opening book, Sadhguru turns the tables by showing us clearly that Karma is an empowering possibility for taking charge of our lives by choosing how we respond to what is happening. This book gives us the tools and actual practices to make this shift in taking responsibility, as the first step towards our true liberation and a more conscious planet.

Sadhguru challenges us to start by bringing joy and gratitude to everything we do, and eliminating a single question, “what about me?” as a necessary step to annihilate an inflated sense of self-importance, that is the cause of so much suffering, to reach our true potential, as individuals and as a part of humanity. I cannot think of a more important book to share!

Reading “Karma” was a profound journey of realizing just how little I actually understood about karma. As I came to terms with all the falsehoods I’ve held about this term, I began to understand that karma offers the possibility of living in a conscious and inclusive manner.

“Karma” illustrated the immense agency I have in moving from habitual and compulsive patterns to action that is discerning and conducive for my growth. I have found its insights trickling into my daily routine and activities -- continuous reminders that my life is my making. I no longer see karma as a bondage or punishment system; rather, I experience it as a pathway to a liberated life.

Beyond all the lessons learned, what stood out most to me was Sadhguru’s emphasis on the miracle of being human: we have the potential to live in absolute freedom, crafting an enduring experience of joy, bliss and peace. I feel inspired to work upon myself and see my life as an intentional expression of my happiness -- no longer a pursuit of it.

A thoughtful explanation of the true meaning and energy of karma. Readers might feel empowered and inspired to live intentionally with greater peace and joy.

Sadhguru is so wise. More great wisdom and ideas here. I enjoyed this very much. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

I have been affected by the teachings of Sadhguru and his messages always provide the direction and the hope of finding a clearer path to travel. This wonderful book continues to deliver as the reader learns about Karma. This concept of responsibility for our actions lives deep within us. Sadhguru’s words of wisdom will enable us to alleviate the muddled moments in our lives, change our behaviors and to seek joy and enlightenment in the most difficult situations.
This book is coming at a most perfect time and is a highly recommended read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Sadhguru for an ARC in exchange for a book review.