I have a question about the concept of karma. I read this yoga magazine with a Q&A column. Someone wrote in about how her yoga mat was stolen at the place where she practices yoga. She was very upset about it and was asking about how to get over her anger and distrust in the other students, etc. The columnist wrote back that instead of thinking of herself as an injured party, she should consider the possibility that she did something in a previous life to merit this, i.e. this is karmic payback.

Okay. I know we're just talking about a stolen yoga mat here, but is this really how karma works? I mean, what if this woman had been the victim of a serious crime? Is it appropriate to say, well, this happened because of what you may have done in a previous life?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Gassho

Jennifer