How to Know What Creates Negative Karma

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: July 9, 2022 References

Maybe you’ve experienced a string of bad luck, or you’re just having an off day. Is negative karma to blame? Despite popular belief, karma isn’t some divine system of rewards and punishments. Instead, it revolves around action—good karma stems from positive, noble feelings and actions, while negative karma is rooted in bad motives and actions.^{[1]
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Research source} Don’t worry—while this is a pretty abstract topic, we’ve outlined some common causes of negative karma, as well as ways you can improve your karma in the future.

This article is based on an interview with our spiritualist and seer, Jennifer McVey, Cht. Check out the full interview here.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Causes of Negative Karma

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Wallowing in negative thoughts can lead to negative karma.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.} According to Buddhist culture, experiencing negative thoughts and feelings is enough to create negative karma. After all, your actions are connected to your thoughts and ideas. So, whenever you stew in feelings of bitterness, jealousy, or other negativity, you’re actually generating negative karma for yourself.^{[3]
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Research source} Here are a few examples:
- Feeling jealous of a friend’s new car
- Feeling bitter about a co-worker’s promotion
- Feeling angry at another driver on the road
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Saying something negative and hurtful can create bad karma. Karma is deeply connected with the things you say to others.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.} Saying something with harsh, cruel, and negative intentions creates negative karma, no matter who you’re talking to.^{[5]
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Research source} These are a few examples:
- Snapping at a relative over the phone
- Yelling at someone during work
- Sending a hurtful message online
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Intentionally hurting another person is a cause of negative karma. The intentions of your actions are what matters when it comes to karma. This could be something extreme, like hurting an animal, or something minor, like shoving past someone while walking on the street. Any action that ignores and dismisses the health and safety of another living thing can create negative karma. ^{[6]
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Research source} Here are some actions that can create negative karma:
- Driving dangerously without caring for anyone else on the road
- Causing someone to trip and fall
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Refusal to grow and learn may contribute to bad karma. Some spiritual communities use the “12 laws of karma” to help better explain the role that karma plays in life. One of these laws is the “Law of Change,” which states that people need to learn and grow from negative patterns in order to experience positive change.^{[7]
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Research source} Some examples of negative patterns could be:
- Constantly interrupting people during conversations
- Not giving your full attention to a friend or loved one
- Not putting 100% effort in at your job
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Making constant excuses may negatively influence karma. Another common law of karma is the “Law of Responsibility,” which states that each person is responsible for what they go through in life. If you try to pass the buck to someone else, you may be creating negative karma for yourself.^{[8]
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Research source} A few examples could be:
- Blaming your boss for not giving you a promotion
- Sticking all of the blame on a friend during an argument

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Solutions to Improve Karma

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Identify the negative patterns in your life. Do you seem to find yourself in the same situation over and over again? Maybe you’re struggling to pay the bills each month, or the company you work for doesn’t get as many customers as it used to. If the same negative thing tends to happen over and over again, it could be a result of negative karma.^{[9]
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Research source} Here are a couple of examples:
- You never get a raise or promotion at your job
- You’re constantly in and out of failing relationships
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Take responsibility for the harm you did in the past. It’s nearly impossible to tie your current bad luck and circumstances to a specific past moment (or moments) of negative karma. You can still own up to these actions, though! Take a moment to acknowledge and admit that you’ve done some negative things in the past, and that you’re ready to take a positive step towards the future.^{[10]
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Research source} You might say:
- “I’ve definitely done and said some hurtful things in the past, and I might be experiencing the negative karma of those actions now. Still, I’m determined to grow, improve, and be the best version of myself.”
- “I acknowledge and apologize for the negativity of my past. I’m ready to take a step forward and live a more positive life.”
- Go easy on yourself! Taking responsibility isn’t about beating yourself up and feeling guilty—it’s about changing your perspective.
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Counter-act your past negativity with positive actions. Brainstorm ways to help other people who are stuck in the same negative patterns and situations as you. By taking strides to help others, you’ll actually be helping yourself in the process!^{[11]
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Research source} Here are a few ideas:
- If you’re struggling with your relationships, you could start a relationship advice blog to help other people in your situation.
- If you’re running low on money, you could meet up with a friend who’s experiencing similar financial woes and develop a budgeting plan together.
- If you’re constantly stuck in traffic, make an effort to be kinder and more compassionate to other drivers on the road.
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Practice being mindful and present every day with meditation.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.} Focus completely on what’s happening in the moment instead of planning what you’re going to do next. Meditation is a great way to practice stilling your thoughts, focusing on your breathing, and taking in the world around you.^{[13]
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Research source}
- Mindfulness gives you a chance to observe what’s going on around you instead of jumping straight into action, which may help reduce your negative karma.
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Approach future situations with good intentions. Take a moment to think before you do or say something, especially if you’re entering a difficult situation. Try to approach all conversations and circumstances with kindness, compassion, and generosity instead of bitterness and negativity.^{[14]
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Research source} You might:
- Give a friend the benefit of the doubt instead of jumping to conclusions
- Offer to pay from a stranger’s drink when they’re a few dollars short
- Congratulate a person on their success instead of feeling jealous
- According to the “Great Law” of karma, people should embody what they hope to receive. In other words, if you want a life full of love and kindness, you should approach each day with a loving and kind attitude.^{[15]
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  Research source}
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Prioritize one goal at a time. Don’t try to change and improve every aspect of your life at once; instead, follow the karmic “Law of Focus.” This law states that you should focus on 1 goal at a time, rather than putting a little bit of energy toward multiple goals at once. Start with a small goal and slowly work your way up to more important aspirations.^{[16]
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Research source} Here are some examples:
- If you have a tendency to lash out at people, your first goal could be learning some breathing exercises. Your next goal could involve talking to people politely during a conversation.
- If you constantly feel jealous of others, your first goal could be identifying your jealous thoughts. Then, you could focus on counting your blessings and congratulating others on their success.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is there a way to cleanse your karma?

Kari Samuels
Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach
Kari Samuels is an international Intuitive Counselor and Happiness Coach. With more than 21 years of experience, she specializes in intuition, energy healing, numerology, and astrology. Kari assists people in reclaiming their innate intuitive gifts and restore well-being through self-empowerment. She has a popular Youtube channel and has been featured on Hay House Radio and other podcasts.

Kari Samuels

Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach

Expert Answer

Definitely! Take some time to recognize when you're harboring ill feelings toward yourself, someone else, or another circumstance. Transforming those negative feelings into more loving emotions can help clear your karma.
Question

How do I get rid of negative karma?

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Jennifer McVey is a Spiritualist, Seer, and the Spiritual Director of Spiritual Answers and Solutions. With more than 22 years of experience, she specializes in manifesting, ghosts and spirit attachments, hypnotherapy, channeling, and spiritually based life coaching. Jennifer has also published 13 Affirmation Image and six Word Search Puzzle books in spirituality and self-help and has produced over 600 audio sessions.

Jennifer McVey, Cht

Spiritual Director

Expert Answer

Honestly, don't be a jerk. I'm mad at someone and I wish something bad would happen to them, you will inevitably find yourself in that same type of situation. The more choices you make towards good behavior and peaceful thoughts, the higher your vibration can go.
Question

What determines your karma?

Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director
Jennifer McVey is a Spiritualist, Seer, and the Spiritual Director of Spiritual Answers and Solutions. With more than 22 years of experience, she specializes in manifesting, ghosts and spirit attachments, hypnotherapy, channeling, and spiritually based life coaching. Jennifer has also published 13 Affirmation Image and six Word Search Puzzle books in spirituality and self-help and has produced over 600 audio sessions.

Jennifer McVey, Cht

Spiritual Director

Expert Answer

Karma isn't like spirit or the universe making you do this thing or that thing. Karma is always us doing it to ourselves. So, we are bound by our own thoughts, by our own words, and by our own promises, not anybody else's.

Warnings

Negative feelings that you're harboring toward another person can create karma between people.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Kari Samuels
Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach
Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.}

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