Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to good people? We find ourselves asking this question time and time again. The answer is simple but to understand it we must first try to fully understand the concept of Karma. Karma, contrary to the beliefs of some, is not some hippy Hindu term based on the foundations of a misguided religion. Karma is a very intelligent concept engineered by one the most ancient religions in the world.....Hinduism. Thousands of years ago, the Hindus not only figured out the essence and purpose of life but provided a detailed explanation on the real causes of human suffering.

All around us, everyday, we bear witness to unbelievable human suffering affecting our fellow brothers and sisters in all corners of our planet. Why are some born wealthy and others born into abject poverty? Why are some born with serious, debilitating illnesses while others enjoy life long health? Why do some die happy, peaceful deaths while others exit the world in a most horrible and painful way? Does fate randomly pick its victims?

Thousands of years ago, Hinduism figured it out. They gave us Karma; a diffident but brilliant concept that is both logical and intuitive. Karma states that every action, results in a corresponding reaction. The effect of this corresponding reaction does not always happen in the present life. For e.g. an individual commits murder; punishment is carried out in the appropriate dose, usually many times the scale and brutality of the original crime. I am not talking about our human justice system or "the law" as we know it. In fact, "the law" with it's imperfect blend of judges and juries, is the least of the wrong doers problems......

The Universe created a system of karma to address precisely this type of aberrant truancy by the soul. The individual will have to reincarnate again on earth and suffer the extreme consequences of his/her dastardly actions. This system of justice, presided over by the universe and its tributaries is uncompromising unlike the human penal code. It will inflict a punishment far harsher so that the soul will never forget the lesson again and permanently refrain from ever taking innocent life.

The life we lead today is a result of our actions from a previous incarnation and the life we lead in our next life will be based upon our actions in this life. It's so simple and yet so many of us struggle to understand it especially when we bear witness to the pain and suffering of seemingly innocent individuals. Everything we do, from the thoughts we think, to the actions we commit are recorded and accounted for. We will enjoy or suffer consequences of these actions in this life or the next.

When General Maximus returns as a gladiator to Rome in the film, Gladiator, Emperor Commodus insists on meeting the fearsome gladiator not knowing his real identity. When Maximus finally reveals himself to the emperor, he looks the evil Commodus straight in the eye and utters the following words "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”

Maximus embodies Karma and whether it's in this life or the next, the whip of karma is inescapable as it is inevitable.