I spent my teens in Hollywood and surrounding areas in the `70s. I sat in on many discussions about "Karma" there. Here's a summation of what I heard... If you

I spent my teens in Hollywood and surrounding areas in the `70s. I sat in on many discussions about "Karma" there. Here's a summation of what I heard... If your goal is to gather more wealth, or celebrity, or political power, then it is true that "justfull actions, and upright deeds [might] weigh and slow you down". But you miss the entire point of Karma if you think those are worthy goals. Those are selfish goals and silly distractions in the work towards obtaining enlightenment, which is the intended goal (why we are here). Aside from that, Karma is the law of cause and effect. But it's not a reward system that tallies up your good deeds and pays them at the end of every month. Good Karma is what allows one to break down in their car in South Chicago and a stranger appears with the help you need to get back up and running and safely on your way. You obtain good Karma via selflessness and a true sense of caring for others and doing what is right. To trust in Karma means you must not seek revenge because it's a waste of time when you're seeking enlightenment. You leave the work to teach those who screw you up to Karma. Now, if you screw up, screw others, cause pain and suffering, you will also cause a visit from Karma intended to provide you with the lessons you need. This will continue until you learn those lessons. The real lesson is you must seek enlightenment. Ultimately, to believe in Karma you must also believe in everlasting life. If you don't, well then, Karma will make no sense at all to you. Now, what you asked is "Is Karma real?" All I can tell you is that I am poor but I live much better than most of those I met while living in LA, and everyone that's ever screwed me has had bad things happen to them that I had nothing to do with. And that I've been smacked down a few times too, and needed it. And that my work over the years has touched and made life better for a lot of people, and I feel good about that. My grandkids are visiting with my wife and I now. When they grow up the stories they hear about us will be of good times that were had with us. And even if I don't live on those will for quite some time. So it's worked for me.