The intensity of the situations which will compel us to take certain decisions is what karma is, the consequences of which we have to face.
Let me explain this. Many a times life will throw us at a crossroad where we will have multiple paths to choose from. We know exactly which is the right thing to do. But sometimes we may choose something out of necessity or greed or fear or based on whatever compulsion we have in our mind at that particular instance of time. Not that we are bad people. But may be to avoid trouble, may be due to lack of energy to support our own cause, or for whatever reason we may choose something else. That very second we are under the influence of karma. The lack of sufficient will power that will prevent us from doing the right thing will have a lasting impact in our life. Most of the times we may say to ourselves that this is the best I could do. But that is just to comfort us. we all know why we chose something. we may not realize the very second we chose, but we will have to face the consequences
If I think about it a little more, can we actually do anything without side effects, the results of which absolutely will not touch us in any way. By side effects, I mean the inkling that we will have in our mind after doing something. Is it really possible? Just like a water droplet on a lotus leaf. That means can we chose a path which will absolutely not touch us in any way at any point in the future regarding why we chose that path. If we can do something or choose a path like that, then we are beyond karma
But if whatever we do has side effects, then we have to be ready.
