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What is karmic debt? How to clear it for a successful life

Ever felt like you're stuck in a loop, facing the same challenges over and over? You might be dealing with karmic debt—a spiritual IOU from past actions. Understanding and clearing this debt can pave the way for a more successful and fulfilling life.​​

1. What is karma and how does it influence our lives?

Karma, a concept rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, operates on the principle of cause and effect. Essentially, it suggests that our actions, thoughts, and intentions create energy that returns to us in kind. This universal law implies that positive deeds lead to favourable outcomes, while negative actions result in undesirable consequences.

What is Karmic Debt? How to Clear It for a successful life

In my own life, I have observed how acts of kindness often lead to unexpected blessings. Conversely, moments of negativity seem to attract further challenges. This personal experience underscores the idea that our current circumstances are shaped by past behaviours, and our present choices lay the foundation for future experiences.

Also read: Struggling with money? These simple energy shifts will help you!​

2. Is karmic debt holding you back?

Karmic debt refers to the spiritual burdens we carry due to past misdeeds or unresolved issues. It's like an outstanding balance in the universe's ledger, awaiting settlement. This debt can manifest as recurring challenges, persistent obstacles, or patterns that seem to repeat despite our efforts to change them.

For instance, someone who habitually deceived others in a past life might now struggle with trust issues or be frequently deceived themselves. Recognizing these patterns is crucial, as they often indicate areas where karmic debt is influencing our present reality.

Editor's pick: Best vastu tips for attracting money & career growth​

3. What are the signs of karmic debt?

Identifying karmic debt involves introspection and awareness. Common indicators include:

  • Repetitive Life Patterns: Facing similar challenges or situations repeatedly, despite efforts to change.

  • Unexplained Fears or Phobias: Intense fears without a clear origin, possibly stemming from past experiences.

  • Challenging Relationships: Continuous conflicts or difficulties in relationships that mirror past interactions.

  • Feeling stuck: A pervasive sense of being unable to progress in certain areas of life.

Reflecting on my journey, I noticed a pattern of attracting friendships that were emotionally draining. This repetition prompted me to explore underlying causes, leading to the realization of unresolved issues from my past.

Must read: How to remove negative energy blocks & attract success

4. How can you identify your karmic debt number?

In numerology, certain numbers are believed to indicate karmic debt. These include 13, 14, 16, and 19. Calculating your karmic debt number involves analysing your birth date and name to uncover these specific numbers. Understanding your karmic debt number can provide insights into the challenges you face and the lessons you're meant to learn.

For example, a karmic debt number of 14 might suggest issues related to control and freedom, indicating a need to find balance in these areas.

5. Why do some people struggle more than others due to karmic debt?

The extent of one's struggles can be influenced by the magnitude of karmic debt carried over from past actions. Those with significant unresolved issues may encounter more pronounced challenges as the universe seeks balance. Additionally, individual awareness and willingness to address these issues play a role. Some may remain oblivious to the lessons presented, perpetuating cycles of hardship.

6. How can acknowledging past actions help in clearing karmic debt?

Acknowledgment is the first step toward transformation. By recognising and accepting responsibility for past actions, we open the door to healing. This process involves honest self-reflection and a commitment to making amends where possible.

In my experience, admitting my role in past misunderstandings allowed me to mend relationships and break free from recurring conflicts.

7. What role does forgiveness play in releasing karmic debt?

Forgiveness, both of oneself and others, is pivotal in dissolving karmic ties. Harbouring resentment binds us to past grievances, perpetuating negative cycles. Releasing these emotions liberates us, facilitating spiritual growth and the resolution of karmic debt.

8. Can mindfulness and meditation assist in resolving karmic debt?

Absolutely, they can—and not just in a "light some incense and float away" kind of way. Mindfulness and meditation are practical, powerful tools for self-awareness, and that awareness is where karmic healing begins. When you're caught in the chaos of daily life, it's easy to miss the subtle signs of karmic patterns playing out. But through daily mindfulness, you begin to recognise the connections—the cause-and-effect rhythms that often seem invisible.

Meditation, on the other hand, allows you to access a deeper layer of consciousness. This is where the real magic (or should I say, karma-clearing power) happens. In the stillness, you can review past actions—not just from this life, but potentially past ones, too. Sounds intense, right? But it's not about punishing yourself. It's about acknowledging your journey and choosing to write a new story going forward.

Here is what I have personally found helpful:

  • Daily journaling after meditation: Just 10 minutes of stream-of-consciousness writing can reveal patterns.

  • Mantra-based meditation: Using phrases like “I release the past and embrace forgiveness” can energetically shift lingering karmic residue.

  • Visualisation: Picture yourself cutting energetic cords with toxic patterns or people—liberating, isn’t it?

Science even backs this up. A Harvard study showed that regular mindfulness meditation can increase grey matter in the brain, particularly in regions linked to empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation—exactly the kind of traits you need to move past old karmic cycles.

9. How do positive actions contribute to balancing karmic scales?

Think of karma like a spiritual bank account. Every positive action—no matter how small—makes a deposit. Acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, and truthfulness help settle old debts and create surplus blessings. It’s not transactional in a manipulative way—it’s more like energy matching energy.

But here is the catch: you can’t fake it. The intention behind the act matters more than the act itself. Give just to get, and you’ll find the Universe isn’t easily fooled. Give from the heart, and suddenly, synchronicities start showing up like unexpected paychecks.

Let me tell you a short story.

A woman I once worked with had faced failure after failure in her business. She was brilliant, but something always seemed to block her progress. After learning about karmic balance, she began volunteering at a local shelter—not as a PR move, but because she felt deeply called to give back. Within six months, her business hit six figures. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe she just shifted the energy.

Here’s how you can start:

  • Practice random acts of kindness—and don’t post about it. Let it be just between you and the Universe.

  • Speak with love, even when it’s hard. Words carry karmic weight.

  • Apologise where needed. Owning up is powerful karma-cleaning energy.

  • Help others without expecting returns. That’s real karmic gold.

10. Is professional guidance beneficial in addressing karmic debt?

Let’s be honest: some karmic stuff is just... complicated. Trying to sort it out solo is like performing heart surgery on yourself with a butter knife—not ideal. That’s where professional karmic readers, healers, or spiritual mentors come in.

Think of them as spiritual GPS systems. They don’t live your life for you, but they help you see the blind spots and detours. And let’s face it, we all have them. Whether it’s a karmic astrologer, a numerologist, or an energy healer, the right guide can help you trace recurring problems to their spiritual roots.

In my sessions with clients, I often notice a pattern: they already know on some level what’s wrong. But they need someone to confirm it, hold space, and guide them through the healing. Once that happens, the fog lifts, and progress accelerates.

Not sure where to start? Here is a simple checklist for choosing a guide:

  • Look for authenticity over hype. Avoid those who promise “instant karma clearing.”

  • Check reviews and client testimonials. Real experiences speak louder than Instagram followers.

  • Follow your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

  • Ask for a sample reading or mini-session. A good healer will want to build trust.

Still feeling blocked? You might benefit from a Personal Karmic Reading & Energy Remedy Session. Book one with me and we’ll go deep into your karmic blueprint, identify your unique energetic challenges, and lay out a practical plan to clear the path forward.

11. How can energy clearing practices aid in karmic relief?

If karmic debt is spiritual baggage, then energy clearing is the cosmic vacuum cleaner. Let’s be real—over the years, we collect all sorts of energy imprints from people, places, and our own actions. These imprints can manifest as emotional heaviness, constant fatigue, bad luck, or just an eerie sense that something is “off.” Energy clearing helps remove these spiritual stains, giving you a reset button on a vibrational level.

From sage smudging to Reiki healing, the methods vary, but the goal is always the same: to restore energetic balance and let go of karmic clutter.

Here’s what I often recommend to clients:

  • Salt baths: Himalayan or Epsom salt baths can be a powerful way to ground yourself and detoxify energetically.

  • Smudging your space: Burning sage, cloves, camphor or even bay leaves can help shift stagnant energy in your home.

  • Sound therapy: Singing bowls or specific frequency music (like 528 Hz) help re-align your personal vibration.

  • Pranic Healing: A session with a certified energy healer can work wonders for clearing ancestral karmic blocks.

Case in point: A woman in one of my workshops felt like she was being “dragged down” despite doing all the inner work. After a simple energy clearing with crystal therapy and intention setting, she reported her first peaceful night’s sleep in months. Sometimes, it’s not about doing more—it’s about releasing what doesn’t belong.

12. What are the benefits of joining group workshops on karmic healing?

You might think healing is a solo journey—but karma loves company. Group workshops are powerful not only because they provide knowledge but because they amplify collective intention. When multiple people come together to clear blocks, meditate, and support each other, the energetic impact is multiplied.

In our Paid Group Workshops on Energy Clearing & Manifestation, something magical happens. People open up. They cry. They laugh. And most importantly—they heal. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the only one untangling a spiritual mess. You share stories, discover your soul tribe, and come away with not just techniques, but transformation.

Benefits of joining a workshop:

  • Live energy clearings: Real-time techniques led by experienced guides.

  • Access to exclusive karmic tools: Crystals, mantras, charts, and more.

  • Shared progress tracking: Accountability is a game-changer.

  • Spiritual community: Because healing alone can be lonely.

These aren’t just feel-good events—they are sacred containers for quantum shifts. Think of it as spiritual bootcamp... but with more incense and zero push-ups.

13. How can personal karmic readings provide insight into your spiritual path?

Have you ever wished life came with a manual? A karmic reading is the closest thing to one. These personalised sessions explore your past lives, energetic blueprint, numerological patterns, and astrology to uncover why certain patterns keep popping up in your life.

During my karmic readings, I help clients pinpoint:

  • Karmic lessons from past lives.

  • Repeating relationship cycles.

  • Money blocks rooted in ancestral trauma.

  • Career paths aligned with soul purpose.

The feedback I get most often? “This makes so much sense now!” Because once you understand your karmic story, everything clicks into place. It is not about blaming your past but about empowering your future.

Want a deeper look into your karma? Book a one-on-one karmic reading session with me. You will leave with clarity, a custom energy remedy, and a roadmap to realign your soul’s path.

14. Why is consistency important in the journey to clear karmic debt?

Karmic healing isn’t a one-off spa day for your soul—it is more like a lifestyle. The universe doesn’t operate on shortcuts or hacks, and karma doesn’t respond to half-hearted effort. If you want real transformation, you have got to show up consistently.

I won’t sugarcoat it: this path demands patience, discipline, and self-awareness. But it’s worth every bit of effort. When you commit to daily reflection, forgiveness, and mindful action, you begin to rewrite your karmic script one day at a time.

Here is what consistency might look like:

  • Daily morning meditation (10–15 mins)

  • Weekly journaling prompts on emotional triggers

  • Monthly energy clearing rituals

  • Quarterly check-ins with your spiritual guide or mentor

Remember, even when it feels like nothing is happening—your energy is recalibrating. Progress in the spiritual realm often looks like quiet stillness. But underneath, mountains are moving.

15. What does life look like after clearing karmic debt?

Imagine this: You wake up without the heaviness of unexplainable worry. Your relationships feel lighter, your career flows more naturally, and synchronicities start appearing left and right. That’s life after karmic clearing. It is not about perfection—it’s about alignment.

Many people report feeling:

  • Emotionally resilient

  • More confident in decision-making

  • At peace with their past

  • More connected to their intuition

  • In harmony with abundance

The most beautiful part? You finally understand that your challenges weren’t punishments—they were invitations. Invitations to evolve, to forgive, to rise. And once you accept that invitation, life becomes less of a struggle and more of a symphony.

16. What ancient Indian techniques help in releasing stagnant energy?

India’s spiritual legacy is like an overflowing treasure chest of tools for energy clearing—and most of them are shockingly effective, even today. These methods were never just rituals for rituals’ sake; they were carefully designed systems to harmonise your body, mind, and soul. Many of them target the release of doshas (imbalances) and vasanas (past-life impressions), which often lie at the heart of karmic baggage.

Here are some ancient Indian techniques you can start using right now:

a. Agnihotra (Sacred Fire ritual):
This Vedic fire ceremony is performed during sunrise and sunset with the chanting of specific mantras. It’s believed to cleanse not only the atmosphere but also your personal aura and karmic fields. Scientific studies have shown that Agnihotra can purify air and kill harmful bacteria, but energetically, it’s known to burn away negative karmic residues.

b. Panchakarma (Ayurvedic detox):
This isn’t just an oil massage. Panchakarma is a deep cleanse for the body that also impacts your subtle energies. It clears toxins (ama) that block the flow of prana (life force). Ayurvedic texts say that when your body is purified, your mind and karma follow.

c. Mantra chanting:
Mantras are not just words—they are vibrational codes. Reciting them activates certain energy centres in your chakras. For karmic release, these are highly recommended:

  • Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra – for breaking soul-level fears and old karma.

  • Gayatri Mantra – for cleansing thought patterns and aligning with divine intelligence.

  • Om Namah Shivaya – for transformation and inner purification.

d. Surya Namaskar (Sun salutation):
Beyond its yoga benefits, this sequence of movements is a form of gratitude to the sun—the ultimate giver of life and remover of darkness. Practised with awareness, Surya Namaskar energises the chakras and melts away karmic stagnancy.

e. Abhyanga (Self-Oil Massage):
This may sound luxurious, but it’s medicine. Daily self-massage with warm sesame oil helps calm the nervous system, improve blood flow, and release stored traumas from the body. In Ayurveda, it's believed this daily act of self-love can erase the negative imprints from past actions.

f. Tulsi (Holy Basil) Rituals:
Tulsi isn’t just for chai. It’s sacred. In Vedic tradition, worshipping the Tulsi plant is believed to nullify sins, especially related to relationships and family karma. Watering the plant and offering prayers daily can energetically shift deeply rooted ancestral blocks.

g. Grounding with Bhoomi Sparsha (Touching the Earth):
Every morning, touch the floor or soil and express gratitude. This simple act of humility aligns you with Dharma (righteousness) and helps settle energetic chaos. It’s said that the Earth Goddess absorbs karmic residue when approached with reverence.

h. Chitta Shuddhi (Mental Purification) through japa:
Silent repetition of a chosen mantra (japa) with a mala bead resets the mind and clears subconscious impressions. Aim for 108 repetitions daily to create a potent vibrational field around your aura.

When you combine these ancient practices with modern tools like therapy, journaling, and guided meditation, you create a holistic system for karmic release. Your energy begins to flow freely, your intuition sharpens, and karmic patterns that once seemed like life sentences begin to dissolve gently, without drama.

Want to experience these practices in a structured, guided way? Join our Energy Clearing & Manifestation Workshop this month. You’ll receive a sacred Indian ritual toolkit, including mantras, breathing practices, and ancient techniques to reset your spiritual vibration.

17. Can understanding past lives help in clearing karmic debt?

You have probably heard someone say, “I don’t know why I keep attracting the same kind of relationship.” Or maybe that someone was you. That is where past-life understanding comes in. Karma doesn’t have an expiration date. It flows across lifetimes, quietly shaping your fears, choices, and patterns. When you begin to explore your past lives, you’re essentially tracing the blueprint of your soul’s journey.

But let’s clear this up: this isn’t some fantasy trip into Egyptian temples or medieval castles (unless that’s where your soul has been). Past-life recall is about recognising how previous actions, unhealed trauma, or broken vows still echo in your current energy field.

Many karmic blocks come from:

  • Unresolved grief from a past life.

  • Unfinished soul contracts with people you reincarnated with.

  • Spiritual vows of poverty, celibacy, or self-denial.

  • Trauma that created fear-based beliefs, like “I’m not safe” or “I must suffer to evolve.”

How can you explore this?

  • Past-life Regression Therapy (PLRT): Guided by a therapist, this helps you access subconscious memories and make peace with old events.

  • Dream journaling: Dreams often reveal symbols or people from your soul's history.

  • Intuitive insights: Pay attention to irrational fears or intense connections with certain people. These are often karmic echoes.

In one of my sessions, a man discovered his chronic fear of public speaking was linked to a past life where he was punished for expressing spiritual truths. Once he acknowledged and cleared that trauma through regression and energy healing, he began speaking at conferences—and loving it!

By exploring your past lives, you are not escaping reality. You are completing a story your soul has been writing for centuries. And with completion comes peace.

18. How do relationships mirror your karmic story?

Ever feel like your romantic life is on repeat? That’s because relationships are often the fastest—and most painful—ways our karma shows up. They act like mirrors, reflecting back to us what needs healing, forgiveness, or understanding.

We don’t just fall in love randomly. We meet people our souls have danced with before. Sometimes, they come to teach us love. Sometimes, they show us what we still haven’t learned. These are known as karmic relationships, and they’re intense, passionate, and often… short-lived.

Look for these signs:

  • Instant connection or repulsion without explanation.

  • Unusual synchronicities around how you met.

  • Feeling “stuck” despite trying to move on.

  • Emotional highs and lows that feel spiritually charged.

But there is a gift. Every relationship—no matter how painful—is an opportunity for karmic release. When you recognise the soul contract at play, you gain clarity. You are no longer trapped in the story. You’re the author.

Here is what helps:

  • Cord-cutting rituals: These help release lingering energetic ties after a relationship ends.

  • Ho’oponopono practice: A Hawaiian technique using the words “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you” to heal relationship karma.

  • Write a closure letter (but don’t send it): Speak to their soul, not their inbox.

I always say, karma may bring you to a person, but healing decides if you stay. Want to explore the karmic story behind your relationship? Book a Personal Karmic Reading—I’ll help you decode the soul contracts you’ve been living out.

19. Why does karmic debt often show up in family dynamics?

Oh, family—those beautiful, maddening beings who often feel like they were cast in a cosmic soap opera just to test your limits. That is because ancestral karma is real. You didn’t just inherit your grandma’s cheekbones. You inherited her unresolved pain, beliefs, and sometimes even her karmic debt.

Here is the wild part: according to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, we carry seven generations of karmic imprint in our DNA. Your struggles with money, self-worth, or emotional expression might not even start with you.

Signs of family karmic entanglement:

  • Repeating patterns (addiction, abandonment, betrayal).

  • Unexplainable guilt or loyalty to family pain.

  • Feeling like the “black sheep” or scapegoat.

  • Inexplicable illnesses that align with ancestral stories.

The solution? Break the cycle consciously.

Try this:

  • Tarpan: A Vedic ritual to honour and release ancestral spirits.

  • Family constellation therapy: A group healing method that reveals hidden family dynamics and uncovers generational patterns.

  • Create an ancestral altar: Offer gratitude and ask for their blessings as you free yourself from their pain.

In one of our workshops, a participant broke a 60-year cycle of mother-daughter estrangement after performing an ancestral healing meditation. The following week, her mother, who hadn’t called in years, rang just to say, “I love you.” Coincidence? Or karma shifting?

20. What is the ultimate goal of karmic healing?

You might think the goal is to live a problem-free life, but let me stop you right there. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s liberation. When you clear karmic debt, you stop reacting from pain and start responding from love. You move from fate to choice. From survival to creation.

You begin to see life not as a punishment but as a playground for your soul’s growth.

  • Your relationships become deeper.

  • Your fears transform into wisdom.

  • Your inner critic becomes your inner teacher.

That is when true Moksha begins—not as an escape from life, but as full participation in it, free from the chains of old wounds and unconscious patterns.

And isn’t that the real success?


The karma clean-up starts with you

So here we are, at the edge of transformation. You have learned what karmic debt is, how it hides in plain sight, and how you can start clearing it—not with struggle, but with intention, love, and sacred rituals. This journey isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding paths you’ll ever walk.

Whether it’s through ancient Indian rituals, personal karmic readings, energy clearings, or simply being a little kinder every day—the way forward is always within your grasp.

Now’s the time to act. Ready to break free from karmic blocks and start living the life your soul came here to experience?

Book your personal karmic consultation now and let’s co-create your roadmap to freedom, healing, and manifesting your highest self.


FAQs

1. How do I know if I have karmic debt?
Recurring struggles, toxic patterns, or deep emotional triggers often indicate karmic debt. Personal readings can provide clarity.

2. Can karma be instant?
Yes. Some karma, especially in our current spiritual climate, returns quickly. However, deeper karmic debts unfold over lifetimes.

3. What is the difference between fate and karma?

Fate is what you are handed. Karma is what you create from it. Free will always plays a part in transforming karma.

4. Are karmic relationships always painful?
Not always. Some are deeply healing. But many begin with intense challenges to prompt soul growth.

5. Is it possible to fully clear all karmic debt in one lifetime?

With conscious effort, grace, and spiritual discipline—yes. But more importantly, the desire to evolve is the first and biggest step.

Author:
Tushar Mangl is a healer, vastu expert, and author of I Will Do It and Ardika. He writes on food, books, personal finance, investments, mental health, Vastu, and the art of living a balanced life. He seeks to create a greener, better society.


Note: For more inspiring insights, subscribe to the YouTube Channel at Tushar Mangl

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