What is Karma?

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.

At Level 1 Hypnotherapy Certification Training, we train practitioners in these evidence-based approaches, equipping them with the skills to create meaningful change in their clients' lives.

For those seeking professional support, our Level 3 Advanced Hypnotherapy Training for Groups and Retreats connects you with qualified, certified practitioners who specialize in these techniques.

Deepening Your Practice with Advanced Techniques

The art of hypnotherapy extends far beyond basic relaxation and suggestion. Advanced practitioners develop an intuitive understanding of the mind-body connection, learning to work with the subtleties of trance states, metaphorical language, and somatic awareness. These skills are cultivated through dedicated practice and ongoing education. At Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute, our training programs are designed to develop both technical proficiency and therapeutic artistry, helping practitioners become truly effective agents of change.

One of the most valuable aspects of advanced hypnotherapy training is learning to work with resistant clients and complex presentations. Not every client enters trance easily, and not every issue responds to standard approaches. Through Level 3 training in groups and retreats, practitioners learn to adapt their techniques to diverse populations and challenging scenarios. This flexibility is what separates competent technicians from masterful therapists who can create breakthroughs in even the most difficult cases.

The therapeutic relationship itself is a powerful healing tool, and hypnotherapy training teaches practitioners how to build deep rapport and trust with their clients. This relational foundation amplifies the effectiveness of every technique applied during sessions. For those interested in exploring how these principles apply in specific contexts, our blog offers hundreds of articles covering techniques for anxiety, trauma, pain management, phobias, and many other applications. You can also connect with fellow practitioners through our professional community to share insights and best practices.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking to advance to the highest levels of certification, there is always more to learn in the field of hypnotherapy. Our Meta Hypnotherapy Instructor training prepares experienced practitioners to teach and mentor the next generation. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest insights on techniques, research, and opportunities in the field.