As is true per the laws of physics, what comes up must come down. This principle can also be applied to self governance: Good deeds implicate good fortune, and bad deeds implicate bad fortune. However, is karma really this simple?

Many religious faiths embrace the logic of karma in one form or another; Hinduism follows the rationale that karma is either a reaction or outcome, while Buddhism leads by the idea that karma establishes our present while informing the future. Regardless of each faith’s nuance, karma — more specifically the idea of a reinforced feedback loop of giving and receiving positive energy — is a means of finding spiritual balance.

Throughout history, religion has been a guiding force in the lives of its followers. When we feel unregulated — stressed, upset or lost — religion serves as a way to return to equilibrium. Mentally and spiritually, religion remains a presence that reassures the individual that struggle is not eternal, but a necessary part of personal growth.

In almost all religions, there is a near universal moral standard of “The Golden Rule.” This rule is most commonly known in the United States by its phrasing in the Christian Bible — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” — but its different portrayals across religions are drivers of many altruistic behaviors.

Jasmine Gawra, a Sikh graduate student studying business administration, said her relationship with karma is the presence of God within herself and her everyday life. She said that her relationship with God influences her decision making, specifically how she is able to support others in times of need.

“If you treat everyone as if they have God inside of you, the power of your own empathy and your humbleness and your compassion to the world around you increases tenfold, and the universe gives back to you as well,” Gawra said.

Though her personal definition of karma is rooted in the transfer of positive energy, Gawra also said a large part of Sikhism is the presence of social justice. Through this, Gawra said, a person’s deeds may not only serve those they know see on a day-to-day basis but extend to those in need by means of public service.

Julian Gajewski, a Catholic sophomore majoring in legal studies, said that, rather than see karma as a direct transfer of positive energy through one’s actions, he relates it to the golden rule’s core message of spreading kindness.

Gajewski said this simultaneously serves the soul and a higher power, with good deeds being driven by the desire to live as the best, most positive version of yourself.

“I try to make myself as available [to help others] as possible … especially [to] people I don’t know. There’s obviously [other instances] that are more circumstantial, but, in my day to day life, I just try to lead with kindness and also be there when others are in need,” Gajewski said.

Though these decisions may be based in faith, they can often integrate into a person’s overall character. By living this altruistic life, it can become second nature to behave in a way that prioritizes the goodwill of others.

Oliver Yellin, a Jewish sophomore majoring in theatre, said that the core values of Judaism allow him to obtain emotional and spiritual balance. Although he said he is more connected to Judaism through culture rather than religious practice, Yellin said Judaistic practices remind him to approach life with empathy.

“I was fortunate enough to be born through so much pain and struggle and trauma of my culture [and] I’ve been given this privilege of life,” Yellin said. “I need to take the values of my culture into that. I need to continue this culture of empathy and this culture of kindness and this culture of ‘We push through. We persevere.’”

As religion is such a crucial part of many cultures, these practices are often not exclusive to those who actively participate in them, but also found in those who have been raised with these values. As the line blurs, the golden rule of kindness and balance is not only present in religion, but cultural practices as well.

Paul Lichterman, a professor of sociology specializing in culture and religion, said “Historically, it’s hard to say there’s some hard and fast separation between what’s religious and what’s cultural. Those [boundaries] shift over time,” said Lichterman. “The cultural context that people grow up with or pass down in one society may evolve in play with religious understandings.”

As religion provides a sense of comfort and grounding, an empathetic approach is also a result of cultural values that become integrated into everyday life outside of theological practices.

Though altruistic acts are a primary way to obtain spiritual balance, this kindness also extends into our own minds and wellbeing. For many, this stability is found through the comfort of a higher presence in times of need.

In Hinduism, there exist gods who are almost universally worshipped, such as Ganesha, god of wealth and abundance, or Kali, goddess of death and mortality. However, the polytheistic religion features millions of different gods, each with their individual purposes. As such, followers are able to find a deity they most align with, providing a personal grounding presence.

Pranav Dhillip, a Hindu graduate student studying cinematic arts, described his personal relationship with Hanuman, a Hindu deity described with a half-monkey, half-human body. Dhillip said Hanuman’s tale being one marked with strength and perseverance is why he feels such a connection to the deity.

“I have Hanuman … hanging from my rear view mirror in the car. That’s my personal favorite, just because I love his story,” said Dhillip. “That’s kind of cool. As a kid, you can always pick your favorite and identify with a specific one.”

Dhillip said he is inspired by Hanuman’s values of strength and interconnectedness, serving as a casual reminder of his faith.

Though the practice of religion brings comfort in the physical life, it can also be found in how humans transcend the physical plane of the universe. Regardless of where the spirit may end up, solace can be found knowing that those we love — and we even ourselves — will have somewhere to go after the time on earth.

Abrahamic religions believe in the concept of heaven, in which individuals will be taken to a transcendent, paradise-like realm. Other religions such as Buddhism believe that the soul is in a constant cycle of death and rebirth.

For Selma Elbalalessy, a Muslim junior majoring in musical theatre, the afterlife serves more as a sense of overarching comfort than a tangible idea. Elbalalessy said this provides her with a sense of security and said this mutual understanding is present within members of the Muslim community who she interacts with.

“I personally am not thinking about the afterlife, and I honestly don’t think my [Muslim] parents are either. I think it’s just satisfying to know that you’re part of a community, and [when] you contribute to that community, that community will give back to you,” Elbalalessy said.

Gloria Aung, a Christian senior majoring in theater, said that her religion does not necessarily discourage mistakes that do not align with the Christian faith. Instead, she said that mistakes provide an opportunity to look inward and consider how individuals can instead change themselves for the better.

“[Hiding our flaws] is like hiding a birthmark; you put some makeup on it, but at the same time, if you wash it at the end of the day, it’s still there,” Aung said.

Aung said it is within human nature to make mistakes, which allows Jesus to empathize with rather than punish individuals.

Religion provides comfort and mediates personal conflicts for many individuals, but does not always cultivate perfection. Through practice, religion provides not only a sense of spiritual balance but also a mental comfort of community and the opportunity to continue discovering the self.

Despite differing beliefs, origins or rituals, the core of religion remains the same. Though seemingly disparate, faiths reveal themselves to be more similar than they are different, with the overall goal to find happiness within.

Once again, what comes up must come down.