2 Reasons Why A Belief In 'Karma' Is An Underrated Lifehack
Our human desire to have an explanation for everything can actually be useful.
By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | February 02, 2024
Imagine you're having a bad day. Your car doesn't start in the morning as you're about to head to work. The lights turn red just as you're about to cross the intersection, making you late for an important meeting. Your coffee spills on your favorite shirt. And, to top it all off, you realize you've forgotten your lunch at home. As you sit in your office, trying to shake off the morning's events, a thought crosses your mind, "Maybe it's because I was mean to my partner this morning."
As illogical as this may seem, it's almost a universal pattern of thinking. We love explanations. And we often seek them in the form of cause and effect, even when they may not exist. Some traditions also believe in a cosmic balance, which is where the concept of "karma" comes into the picture. Originating from ancient Indian philosophies, karma is often understood as a principle where good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds are punished.
However, the psychology behind our good and bad deeds reveals interesting takeaways about their ripple effects on our lives. Here is some science behind how believing in good karma can have a profound impact on our lives and the world around us.
1. Karmic Beliefs May Make Us More Likable Individuals Because It Promotes Honesty
We are drawn to people who exude honesty. In a 2006 study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, participants were given descriptions of individuals, with varying levels of honesty, intelligence and independence. They were then asked to rate the individuals based on their photographs. Interestingly, participants found those described as honest to be more appealing. They perceived these individuals as healthier, kinder and more attractive. This suggests that honesty doesn't just make us likable, it can also enhance our appeal to others.
As it turns out, karmic thoughts can influence our integrity. In a recent study, researchers used two anonymous online games as a platform to observe the truth-telling behavior of participants:
- One game involved a coin toss where a winning outcome would result in a $1 payout
- The other was a dice roll with the payout based on the number rolled
The results were intriguing. In the first game, a significant number of participants (40%) chose to be dishonest to receive the $1 reward. In the second game, 11% of the participants chose to lie about their outcome. However, the introduction of karmic reminders noticeably decreased the instances of lying.
At this point, you may be thinking: Getting people to like us through honest behavior is one thing, but can our karmic beliefs also make them want to help us? Yes.
2. Karmic Beliefs May Help In Surrounding Yourself With People Who Are Rooting For You
Likability (which is one consequence of a karmic desire to have integrity) can set us up in important ways. If people are attracted to you and your personality, it can have direct effects on various aspects of your life. People are more likely to trust and cooperate with those they find honest and attractive. This can lead to better teamwork, stronger friendships and more fulfilling relationships. In a professional setting, honesty can make you a more desirable candidate for jobs or promotions. It can also enhance your reputation.
Having a large social network of people who vouch for you is a crucial aspect of success. Acting in ways that tempts good karma can make others feel a need to reciprocate. Consider this scenario:
You reach out to an old friend from college to see how they are doing and find that they are looking for a job switch. You remember that your company has an open position that fits their qualifications perfectly. You decide to recommend them to your hiring manager. A few weeks later, your friend gets the job and is immensely grateful for your help.
In this scenario, your act of reaching out and helping a friend not only helped them find a new job but also strengthened your relationship with them. They are now more likely to help you in the future if you ever need it, creating a positive cycle of reciprocity. This is a real-life example of how good karma works—your good deed comes back to you in the form of a stronger friendship and a potential ally in your professional network.
Conclusion
The real power of good karma is about understanding that our actions can have far-reaching impacts on our lives and the relationships we cultivate. It's not about expecting a reward for every good deed we do. Karma is not so much a mystical force, but the realization that our destinies, in a real way, can be influenced by having the right people around us.
A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.