{"id":23934,"date":"2021-04-01T01:10:46","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T05:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=23934"},"modified":"2021-03-24T12:33:36","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T16:33:36","slug":"book-review-karma-unravelled-by-anandmurti-gurumaa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2021\/04\/01\/book-review-karma-unravelled-by-anandmurti-gurumaa\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 Karma Unravelled: Decoding the Law of Karma by Anandmurti Gurumaa"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Book <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">R<\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">eview<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Karma Unravelled<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Decoding the Law of Karma<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">by Anandmurti Gurumaa<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Publisher: Gurumaa Vani<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">148 Pages<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Publication Date: 7\/21\/2014<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Reprinted in 2016<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23935\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled.png 314w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled-203x300.png 203w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 264px) 100vw, 264px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">In this book, spiritual master, rationalist, visionary, and philosopher Anandmurti Gurumaa guides readers off the relentless wheel of karma and into liberating freedom. She explains in great depth its nature, consequences, connection with reincarnation, and the path out of its bondage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Whether you believe in \u2018you reap as you sow\u2019 or not, whether you believe in reincarnation or not, whether you believe in karmic debt or not, is irrelevant. Fact of the matter is that the law of karma is as irrefutably functioning in this world as is the law of gravity. Thus whether you believe in the concept of karma or not, the fact remains that it is affecting you right now and will continue to do so whether you like it or not, whether you accept it or not,\u201d she writes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The subtle workings of the many types of karma are illustrated with examples as Anandmurti poses questions she then answers in a conversational manner.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">As interested as I am in karma, I found more details than I could digest, in some part due to my difficulty keeping more than two or three foreign words from becoming jumbled in my brain. For example, \u201cIf <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>rajoguna<\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"> or <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>tamoguna<\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"> is predominant, then such a person will be unable to do <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>s\u00e9wa?<\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"> or <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>nishka?ma<\/i><\/span> <span lang=\"en-US\"><i>karma<\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">\u201d left me confused. By page 50 I as mostly skimming, yet finding nuggets that spoke to me.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Still, important concepts emerged, including how performing actions with an ulterior motive differs from those done without desire for worldly gratification, that everything you perceive in this world gets recorded in your mind, and, as <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">Anandmurti stated,<\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"> \u201c\u2026 the mind is forever looking for joy \u2013 hence it takes it from wherever it can get it. The mind does not discriminate between the sources of the pleasure. It does not differentiate between joy obtained from the materialistic world and that from the spiritual realm.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She explained that to get off the karma wheel takes being in command of every thought by contemplating, meditating, experiencing \u201cI am not the mind\u201d \u2013 but it is possible with detachment, dispassion, and vigilant witnessing which will lead to calmness and a present filled with supreme wisdom.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">I was sitting under a dark moon when I read, \u201cMoon light has a great positive effect on the entire plant kingdom and hence vegetation flourishes during the night time. Thus, if moon light can affect the entire vegetation, can affect the sea tides, won\u2019t it affect your mind? It does have a very deep effect on your mind. Hence, if someone observes a fast on a full moon day with this understanding, then certainly it will be beneficial for him or her. But if someone blindly observes a fast on a full moon day with the desire of attaining worldly pleasures, then that becomes <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>saka?ma karma. <\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">So, fasting on full moon day can be done for attaining worldly pleasures which makes the act <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>saka?ma karma<\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">, whereas it becomes <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>nishka?ma karma <\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">for the seeker who observes the fast and performs his practices without any desire for worldly gratification.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">I am in the process of revamping my spiritual practice to fit a new lifestyle, and this idea intrigues me.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Karma Unravelled&#8221; is for anyone already knowledgeable about karma and seeking to find a deeper understanding of the profound, intricately complex topic, learning at a master level the workings of the principle, how the law functions, and the cycle of karma to be able to lead life in a more informed way.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Anandmurti offers the assurance, \u201cCompassion, empathy and love will become an effortless part of your disposition and their fragrance will fill the very space you tread.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><u><span lang=\"en-US\"><i><b>About author Anandmurti Gurumaa<\/b><\/i><\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"><i>:<\/i><\/span><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Anandmurti Gurumaa is a contemporary master, based at her Ashram in a village in the state of <\/span>Haryana<span lang=\"it-IT\">, India<\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">, guiding millions around the world towards their spiritual growth. With <\/span>love <span lang=\"en-US\">and<\/span><span lang=\"nl-NL\"> wisdom<\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">, out of compassion,<\/span> <span lang=\"en-US\">her teachings lead to clarity of mind, facilitate harmonious living, and show the way to rise above a mundane lifestyle. She has devised numerous techniques to aid meditation, written several books and given d<\/span><span lang=\"fr-FR\">iscourses<\/span><span lang=\"en-US\"> around the world. A<\/span><span lang=\"it-IT\"> compassionate <\/span><span lang=\"en-US\">philanthropist, she spearheads Mission Shakti, which is aimed at empowering girls and women, and combating the heinous practice of female foeticide still rampant in India. She is also a prolific poet, singer and composer with a sense of humor. Connect on her <a href=\"https:\/\/gurumaa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GurumaaAshram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GurumaaAshram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23935\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled.png 314w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/karma-unravelled-203x300.png 203w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00M0Z9AMC\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00M0Z9AMC&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=paganpages-20&amp;linkId=eb93f760a17c7156ceff6bbaa1182570\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Karma Unravelled on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Lynn Woike<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20916\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"206\" height=\"274\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><a href=\"http:\/\/thewitchonwheels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>thewitchonwheels.com<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><a href=\"http:\/\/thewitchonwheels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20917\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike2-300x240.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike2-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike2.png 488w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and \u201cjust knew things.\u201d In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie \u2013 a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thewitchonwheels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">thewitchonwheels.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">, Facebook and Instagram.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20918\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike3-225x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike3-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lynn-woike3.png 464w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Book Review Karma Unravelled Decoding the Law of Karma by Anandmurti Gurumaa Publisher: Gurumaa Vani 148 Pages Publication Date: 7\/21\/2014 Reprinted in 2016 &nbsp; &nbsp; In this book, spiritual master, rationalist, visionary, and philosopher Anandmurti Gurumaa guides readers off the relentless wheel of karma and into liberating freedom. She explains in great depth its nature, consequences, connection with reincarnation, and the path out of its bondage. \u201cWhether you believe in \u2018you reap as you sow\u2019 or not, whether you believe in reincarnation or not, whether you believe in karmic debt or not, is irrelevant. Fact of the matter is that the law of karma is as irrefutably functioning in this world as is the law of gravity. Thus whether you believe in the concept of karma or not, the fact remains that it is affecting you right now and will continue to do so whether you like it or not, whether you accept it or not,\u201d she writes. The subtle workings of the many types of karma are illustrated with examples as Anandmurti poses questions she then answers in a conversational manner. As interested as I am in karma, I found more details than I could digest, in some part due to my difficulty keeping more than two or three foreign words from becoming jumbled in my brain. For example, \u201cIf rajoguna or tamoguna is predominant, then such a person will be unable to do s\u00e9wa? or nishka?ma karma\u201d left me confused. By page 50 I as mostly skimming, yet finding nuggets that spoke to me. Still, important concepts emerged, including how performing actions with an ulterior motive differs from those done without desire for worldly gratification, that everything you perceive in this world gets recorded in your mind, and, as Anandmurti stated, \u201c\u2026 the mind is forever looking for joy \u2013 hence it takes it from wherever it can get it. The mind does not discriminate between the sources of the pleasure. It does not differentiate between joy obtained from the materialistic world and that from the spiritual realm.\u201d She explained that to get off the karma wheel takes being in command of every thought by contemplating, meditating, experiencing \u201cI am not the mind\u201d \u2013 but it is possible with detachment, dispassion, and vigilant witnessing which will lead to calmness and a present filled with supreme wisdom. I was sitting under a dark moon when I read, \u201cMoon light has a great positive effect on the entire plant kingdom and hence vegetation flourishes during the night time. Thus, if moon light can affect the entire vegetation, can affect the sea tides, won\u2019t it affect your mind? It does have a very deep effect on your mind. Hence, if someone observes a fast on a full moon day with this understanding, then certainly it will be beneficial for him or her. But if someone blindly observes a fast on a full moon day with the desire of attaining worldly pleasures, then that becomes saka?ma karma. So, fasting on full moon day can be done for attaining worldly pleasures which makes the act saka?ma karma, whereas it becomes nishka?ma karma for the seeker who observes the fast and performs his practices without any desire for worldly gratification.\u201d I am in the process of revamping my spiritual practice to fit a new lifestyle, and this idea intrigues me. \u201cKarma Unravelled&#8221; is for anyone already knowledgeable about karma and seeking to find a deeper understanding of the profound, intricately complex topic, learning at a master level the workings of the principle, how the law functions, and the cycle of karma to be able to lead life in a more informed way. Anandmurti offers the assurance, \u201cCompassion, empathy and love will become an effortless part of your disposition and their fragrance will fill the very space you tread.\u201d About author Anandmurti Gurumaa: Anandmurti Gurumaa is a contemporary master, based at her Ashram in a village in the state of Haryana, India, guiding millions around the world towards their spiritual growth. With love and wisdom, out of compassion, her teachings lead to clarity of mind, facilitate harmonious living, and show the way to rise above a mundane lifestyle. She has devised numerous techniques to aid meditation, written several books and given discourses around the world. A compassionate philanthropist, she spearheads Mission Shakti, which is aimed at empowering girls and women, and combating the heinous practice of female foeticide still rampant in India. She is also a prolific poet, singer and composer with a sense of humor. Connect on her website, Twitter and Facebook. &nbsp; Karma Unravelled on Amazon *** About the Author: Lynn Woike thewitchonwheels.com All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and \u201cjust knew things.\u201d In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie \u2013 a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":210,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[12905,10346,10095,12904,12903,10075],"class_list":["post-23934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-anandmurti-gurumaa","tag-author","tag-book","tag-decoding-the-law-of-karma","tag-karma-unravelled","tag-review"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23934"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23936,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23934\/revisions\/23936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}