Do we receive the results of actions taken unknowingly?

One of our guests asked me, “Do we get the results of the actions that we take unknowingly?” The guest was hinting at Karma, particularly to the deeds performed in our minds or through our bodies. The answer to this question in one word is ‘YES!’

Let’s understand this answer in depth. Humans have been blessed with brains. The functionality of the brain is to act with awareness in everything we do. And hence, we are not supposed to — or rather, not allowed to — do anything unknowingly.

Of course, this rule cannot be applied to a two-year-old child, because at that stage, the child is still nature-driven; that is, his or her ego has not yet developed. But once the ego takes over, the child is no longer nature-driven, and his or her account of Karma begins. From that point onwards, every action —  whether done knowingly or unknowingly — is accounted for.

Let’s consider an example to understand this point clearly. What happens when your hand comes in contact with fire? Nature’s rule is simple: if you put your hand in fire, it will get burned. Whether you do it knowingly or unknowingly, the result remains the same in both cases — your hand will get burned. Similarly, any action that we take — whether knowingly or unknowingly — the consequences or results of that action are something that we have to face!

So, because we have been given the gift of having a brain, it is expected of us to be in complete awareness 24/7. And what helps in achieving this state of complete awareness? The regular practice of meditation. Through meditation, we become full of energy, which allows our mind to have a continuous supply of energy. And, the result is the state of complete awareness!