Skip to main content
    Back to Blog
    techniques
    Level 5

    What is Karma?

    Kelly Bearer, MA, LPC, ACHTMarch 18, 2022

    What is Karma?

    Karma is a Sanskrit word that means action, work, or deed. Karma can be seen as the spiritual principle of cause and effect. The concept of Karma is well known in both the East, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism, and has gained popularity in the West as well. 

    Many people believe that karma is punishment from things we’ve done in the past or in a past life. It’s not uncommon to hear people say, “I must have done something bad in a past life to deserve this.”

    Karma really means that our actions plant seeds that ripen and bear fruit in this or a past life. The intention behind your acts, words, and deeds also helps to shape the quality of your Karma.

    Everything is energy, including your thoughts and emotions, which are energy in motion. So, in essence, everything you do creates a corresponding energy that comes back to you in some form. This is why the intention behind your actions has significance.

    3 Types of Karma

    Karma comes in three distinct types that are important to stay mindful of while working with past lives. We have individual karma, relationship karma, and collective karma.

    Individual Karma

    Individual karma refers to my personal actions, intentions, thoughts, and deeds. Past Life Regression Therapy can address specific acts one has done in the past, and express a positive intention or acceptance of the action, deed, or words to clear karma in this life.

    Relationship Karma

    If you’ve ever experienced a bond that feels like a magnetic connection, but with a turbulent twist, you’re not alone. Karmic relationships are filled with passion and pain, often at the same time.

    While the phrase “karmic relationship” isn’t a clinical term, the characteristics do resemble other, well-known relationships.

    “A karmic relationship is one that’s filled with all-consuming passion but is extremely difficult to maintain,” explains Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, a neuropsychologist and faculty member at Columbia University.

    These relationships aren’t meant to last, she says, but they’re learning experiences for those who have them.

    While “karmic relationship” can have a negative connotation, Hafeez says it can also be viewed from the perspective of personal growth.

    “They’re opportunities to learn something about yourself that you never knew before, as well as the most significant life lessons in love,” she says.

    To get a better idea of what a karmic relationship is, how it manifests, and what you can do to walk away from one, past life regression therapy is key!

    Collective Karma

    Our collective karma refers to the karma of the groups, communities, countries, races, etc… we were born into.

    Past Life Regression Therapy can address specific acts our group has done in the past, and express a positive intention or acceptance of the action, deed, or words to clear collective karma in this life.

    Past Life Regression Therapy has many applications and benefits, including helping us to clear the karma of the past so that we can live free in the present.

    If you’re a hypnotherapist, Past Life Regression Therapy is a great way to add another revenue stream to your healing business or if you want to bring more spiritual healing work to your private practice, your clients, and the world!

    Join our 3-day Past Life Regression Training Certification. Discover your own past lives and get certified while you do!

    Ready to get trained and certified in hypnotherapy? Join our 5-Day Hypnotherapy Training Certification. 

    Go deeper with your hypnotherapy training and your personal work and join our Advanced Spiritual Regression Training Certification.

    Curious About Hypnotherapy?

    Watch our free masterclass and see if hypnotherapy is right for you.

    Written by
    KB

    Kelly Bearer, MA, LPC, ACHT

    Clinical Director & Founder, Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute

    Licensed Psychotherapist with 20+ years in mental health and 10+ years of clinical hypnotherapy experience. M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (#7691). Published author in the Journal for Integral Theory and Practice.

    Related Articles

    Learning hypnotherapy is both an intellectual adventure and a deeply personal transformation. As you learn hypnotherapy techniques and principles, you will discover not only how to facilitate change in others but also profound insights about your own...

    The desire to learn hypnotherapy often begins with a personal experience — perhaps you witnessed the transformative power of hypnosis firsthand, or you are a therapist seeking more effective tools for your clients. Whatever your motivation, the journ...

    Learning hypnotherapy is both an intellectual adventure and a deeply personal transformation. As you learn hypnotherapy techniques and principles, you will discover not only how to facilitate change in others but also profound insights about your own...

    Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute

    Clinical hypnotherapy training for therapists, counselors, and practitioners. Join our community of over 1,000 trained graduates worldwide.

    info@boulderhypnotherapyinstitute.com
    Founded in Boulder, Colorado · Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts · Serving students worldwide through live online training

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, tips, and exclusive offers.

    Join 12,000+ subscribers. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Educational Purpose — Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute provides hypnotherapy education and training. Completion of any BHI program does not guarantee employment, income, or clinical outcomes. Individual results vary based on effort, prior experience, and professional context.

    Licensure & Scope of Practice — Your scope of practice after training depends on your existing professional credentials, licensing board requirements, and jurisdiction. BHI training alone does not confer a license to practice therapy or counseling. Students are responsible for verifying that their use of hypnotherapy skills complies with applicable state and local regulations.

    Continuing Education — CE credits are approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), ACEP No. 7691. CE eligibility and acceptance vary by licensing board and jurisdiction. Students should verify that NBCC-approved CEs satisfy their specific board's renewal requirements before enrolling. Programs designated as "0 CEs" do not offer continuing education credits.

    Payment Plans & Refunds — Payment plan enrollees are responsible for all scheduled installments regardless of continued participation. Full refund available within 14 days of enrollment (prior to program start), minus a registration fee of 10% of tuition or $100, whichever is less. After 14 days, tuition is held as a non-transferable credit valid for 18 months and may be applied toward any BHI program. Discounted or sale-priced purchases are final. See Refund Policy, Cancellation Policy, and Terms of Service for complete details.

    Testimonials — Student testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not guarantees of specific outcomes. Results vary based on individual effort, background, and circumstances.

    Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7691. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

    © 2026 Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute, LLC. All rights reserved. Subconscious Shift Method™ and SSM™ are trademarks of Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute, LLC. BHI provides educational programs in hypnotherapy and related modalities. Our trainings, membership, and resources are educational in nature and do not constitute licensure, clinical supervision, or medical advice.

    Free Hypnotherapy Masterclass

    Register free — watch instantly

    Your Privacy Matters

    We use cookies to improve your experience and measure site performance. Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our site. Marketing cookies help us show you relevant content on other platforms.