Practical Meaning of Karma in Daily Life: Breaking Cycles and Living with Purpose

August Reflections: Karma, Dharma & Family Truth-Telling

As summer days get shorter and yoga school is back in session, I’m grateful to be teaching again. After a little break spent hiking, paddling, and navigating an unexpected backcountry medical situation, I’m back in the classroom — soul replenished and perspective refreshed.

One of the most profound experiences this summer was a trek with my half-brother to the foot of Easton Glacier on Mt. Baker. It wasn’t just a physical journey, but also a deeply emotional one — the culmination of a process that began when we, along with a couple of other newly discovered half-siblings, started unraveling a complex family story.

Rewriting the Family Narrative

Over the past couple of years, we’ve slowly begun communicating, sharing stories and interrogating historical narratives. Through photos, public records, memories, library archives, and the magic of DNA, we've uncovered layers of a story long clouded by omission and denial. The truth that emerged wasn’t the truth we'd grown up with, but it was refreshingly real. And in that truth, we found connection.

Even without adoption, questions of paternity and intentional obfuscation, a process of family reckoning can be messy. Our family story contains all of that and more. But the thing about truth is that it cleans up ancestral karma, if you are willing to look it in the eye and accept its implications. In this way, my half-siblings and I inadvertently cleaned up the karma of our parents, of their parents, and even of future generations. It's a great example of the practical meaning of karma in daily life.

Understanding the Practical Meaning of Karma in Daily Life

We often see karma reduced to catchy slogans or instant cosmic justice. But in its purest form, karma simply means action. Every action — big or small — shapes what happens next. It's not exactly metaphysical to recognize that, if I hit snooze on my alarm tomorrow, I’ll get up later than I intended. That action causes a later bedtime, and another choice to hit snooze, and so forth. That’s karma in motion.

But context matters. If I’m most creative at midnight, staying up late might serve my work. If I’ve committed to an early morning meditation, however, it might throw me off. Karma isn’t good or bad; it’s the energy of action. Its value is dictated by its context -- by our personal priorities, sense of purpose and responsibility. In other words, our dharma.

Karma Works in Both Directions

Karma’s not just forward-moving; it’s retroactive too. If I’m able to make a healthy dinner tonight, it’s because I grocery shopped yesterday. No groceries? It might be cereal for dinner (which is fine — unless a core value of mine is nourishing myself with well-balanced meals).

But maybe I skipped the store because a friend needed urgent help. In that case, supporting a loved one aligned with my values — and my karma stays clean.

This is where the practical meaning of karma in daily life becomes clear: our present reality is shaped by past actions, and today’s choices are already influencing tomorrow.

Cleaning House: Breaking Generational Patterns

In my own life, the process of connecting with my siblings and rewriting our shared story has been a kind of karmic house cleaning. We’re shedding old narratives rooted in shame and secrecy. The parents involved have mostly passed on, which illustrates how we can clean up karma internally. It's a personal, private process, and does not require the participation of others in our life.

In this way, we need not wait for anyone els’s permission to do our own healing work. Through reflection, inquiry and a bit of forgiveness, we’re doing our part to break the cycle of secrecy — for ourselves and future generations.

May Your Fire Burn Bright

Whether you’re confronting old patterns, starting a new chapter, or simply choosing a better bedtime, your actions matter. They shape your path and ripple outward in ways both seen and unseen.

Wishing you clarity, courage, and a clean karmic slate as you step into the season ahead.

Happy burning,
Angie