Karma and Our Past Lives:How Our Past Shapes Our Present
- Julia Heisler
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 16
The idea that we have lived multiple lives before our current existence is a belief
deeply rooted in many spiritual and philosophical traditions around the world.
Ancient civilizations such as Egypt, India, Greece, and even certain Western esoteric
traditions view reincarnation as a natural cycle of the soul, allowing it to evolve
through various experiences.
What is a Past Life?
A past life refers to a previous existence that our soul is believed to have lived before its current incarnation. According to this perspective, our soul undergoes multiple incarnations, accumulating experiences and lessons to progress spiritually.
Each life leaves imprints in our subconscious, influencing our behaviors, fears, talents, and even our relationships.
Some people experience spontaneous memories of past lives, often through dreams, déjà vu impressions, or inexplicable feelings of affinity or aversion toward certain people or places. Others seek to explore their past lives through techniques such as regression hypnosis or guided meditation.
Karma and Dharma: Two Complementary Forces
Karma and dharma are two essential concepts in understanding past lives and spiritual evolution. They are often linked but have distinct roles.
Karma: The Law of Cause and Effect
The word karma comes from Sanskrit and means "action" or "deed."
It is based on a simple principle:
Every thought, word, or action we take creates an energy that will return to us in some form.
Karma is neither punishment nor reward, but rather a learning mechanism.
If we face certain challenges today, they may be the result of past actions pushing us to grow and adjust our choices.
Examples :
Someone who betrayed or manipulated others in a past life may find themselves in a situation where they experience betrayal, not as a punishment, but to understand the consequences of such actions and choose a different path.
Someone who devoted their life to helping and healing others may be reborn with natural ease in attracting abundance and favorable opportunities, as they have sown positive energies in past lives.
Karma is the memory of the soul, pushing us to balance our actions across different incarnations.
Dharma: The Path of the Soul
Dharma represents the life mission or spiritual role we are meant to fulfill in this incarnation.
It corresponds to what we must be and do to evolve harmoniously.
Following one's dharma means being aligned with one's true nature and spiritual purpose. When we stray from it, life can become more difficult as we resist our own evolution.
Examples
A person born with artistic talent may have a mission to inspire others through their art. If they fully embrace this calling, they will experience deep fulfillment.
A person with a natural gift for healing or guiding others but who chooses a path that does not align with their true self (due to fear or societal pressure) may experience an inner void, blockages, or repeated obstacles in life.
Dharma is the path that allows us to fulfill our spiritual destiny with fluidity and harmony.
The Interconnection Between Karma and Dharma
Karma and dharma are intimately connected :
Karma influences our dharma
Past actions shape the challenges and opportunities we encounter in this life.
Following one's dharma purifies karma
By living in alignment with our mission, we generate good karma, which facilitates our spiritual evolution.
Imagine a person who, in a past life, used their influence to manipulate others.
In this incarnation, their karma may lead them to experience situations where they are confronted with manipulation, until they understand the importance of integrity.
Their dharma, however, could be to learn how to guide others with wisdom and kindness.
Once they choose this path, they purify their karma and restore harmony.
Understanding the difference between karma and dharma helps us navigate life more effectively.
Observing our karma allows us to recognize recurring patterns in our life and understand why they happen.
Following our dharma means listening to our intuition and talents to fully live our soul’s mission.
When we live in alignment with our dharma, we naturally attract positive karma, and the universe supports our evolution.
Exploring past lives can bring deeper self-awareness and provide insights into unexplained aspects of our existence.
It can help to:
Identify and release emotional blockages or irrational fears.
Understand karmic relationships and their dynamics.
Accelerate spiritual growth by becoming aware of soul lessons.
Align with one’s dharma to move forward more serenely in this incarnation.
Past life exploration can be a fascinating and enriching journey, offering a deeper understanding of our present experiences. Whether to release karmic blockages, gain insight into certain relationships, or simply explore one’s spiritual past, there are several ways to access these hidden memories.
Regression Hypnosis: A Guided Journey into the Past
Regression hypnosis is one of the most popular methods for exploring past lives.
It involves reaching a modified state of consciousness, a deep relaxation that allows access to the soul's buried memories.
This can help retrieve specific and detailed memories, unlocking unexplained fears or repetitive patterns.
Guided Meditations: A Gentle Approach to Soul Memories
Unlike hypnosis, guided meditation can be practiced alone. It helps achieve a state of relaxation and explore past lives in a gentle, intuitive way.
Dreams: A Portal to Past Life Memories
Dreams are often a natural way in which past life memories resurface.
An unexplained attraction to a particular culture, an irrational fear with no apparent cause, or a feeling of familiarity with certain people may be signs of past life experiences.
Exploring past lives is not just about revisiting the past, it is a powerful tool to better understand the present and move forward on one’s spiritual path.
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