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,”
While “karmic relationship” can have a negative connotation, 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, read on to see what the experts have to say.
Identifying a karmic relationship is tricky, especially when you’re caught up in one.
Besides the characteristics described above, there are some signs and red flags that may indicate you’re experiencing a karmic connection.
Roller coaster of emotions
One of the most common signs of a karmic relationship, is the roller coaster of emotions. This typically follows a pattern of happiness one day but misery the next.
If you’re in a karmic tie, it often feels like any minor argument or bump in the road is the end of the world,
“All relationships have their ups and downs, but in a karmic relationship, rough patches feel like a pervasive weight on your chest,”
Resembles a codependent relationship
Karmic relationships create dependency, which ends up consuming all your thoughts and feelings.
You might also feel “addicted” or “dependent” on the relationship, making it very difficult for you or or the other person to break it off. Even with alarm bells ringing in your head, you can’t resist staying.
One-sided relationship
Karmic relationships are often toxic and one-sided.
Fearful of how it’ll end
Sometimes it’s easier to deal with an unhealthy relationship than face what may happen once it’s over.
someone in a karmic relationship is often fearful of what will happen or who they’ll turn into once it ends.
The ideology behind a karmic matchup is twofold: to break the cycles of bad behavior from past lifetimes and to learn how to heal.
“At the core of all of this, the purpose of karmic relationships is to learn and grow,”
“Some people believe karmic relationships are agreements between two spirits to help the other grow before incarnating on Earth, with the sole purpose of learning something we weren’t able to in a previous lifetime,”
With that in mind, karmic relationships are very different from other intense relationships, such as one with a soulmate.
“People often confuse karmic partners with soulmates, and they aren’t the same,”
“Karmic relationships teach you about the world and others, whereas your soulmates help you learn your self-worth,”
You feel good, balanced, and happy in a soulmate relationship. But in a karmic relationship, you’ll always feel like something is just not right.
Purpose of a karmic relationship is to advance the soul forward in this lifetime.
“I believe the most important thing to know about karmic relationships is that you (your soul) has chosen to learn this lesson for its advancement toward knowing, enlightenment, and understanding,” she explains.
Although the lesson you learn in your karmic relationship may be difficult, and it may cause you great pain in the short-term, Mead says it develops your soul and moves you toward greater peace.
