Is Karma Real? What Dolores Cannon, Edgar Cayce, Michael Newton and the Law of One Teach Us About Soul Growth
- Natasha Burton
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Few spiritual concepts are as widely discussed—and as widely misunderstood—as karma.
Many people imagine karma as a cosmic system of reward and punishment: if we do something “bad,” something bad will happen to us in return.
Yet according to many spiritual traditions and the work of researchers such as Dolores Cannon, Edgar Cayce and Dr. Michael Newton, karma may be something far more profound.
Rather than punishment, karma may simply be the soul’s desire to learn, heal, balance and evolve.
What Is Karma?
The word karma originates from ancient Eastern traditions and literally means “action.”
In spiritual philosophy, karma is often understood as the energetic consequences of our thoughts, intentions and actions.
According to this perspective, every experience creates an energetic imprint. Some experiences are resolved within a single lifetime, while others may remain unfinished and continue into future incarnations.
Karma is not necessarily about punishment.
It is about consciousness seeking balance.
Do We Choose Our Lives Before Birth?
One of the most remarkable similarities between the work of Dolores Cannon, Edgar Cayce and Dr. Michael Newton is their suggestion that souls participate in the planning of their incarnations before birth.
Through thousands of hypnosis sessions, these researchers reported that many individuals described:
choosing their parents,
selecting major life lessons,
planning significant relationships,
choosing certain challenges,
and entering into agreements with members of their soul family.
Dr. Michael Newton, in Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls, documented numerous clients describing extensive pre-birth planning sessions with guides and soul groups.
Similarly, Dolores Cannon’s QHHT sessions frequently revealed that souls may choose particular experiences in order to accelerate growth, heal unfinished lessons, or offer service to others.
From this perspective, the difficult people in our lives may not be random.
They may be fellow souls who agreed to assist us in learning important lessons.
Why Would a Soul Choose Difficult Circumstances?
One of the most challenging questions people ask is:
“Why would anyone choose suffering?”
Both Edgar Cayce and Michael Newton documented cases in which individuals under hypnosis suggested that certain physical limitations, illnesses or disabilities had been chosen by the soul before birth.
According to these accounts, some souls may choose significant challenges as a way to:
develop compassion,
experience life from a unique perspective,
assist the evolution of others,
balance unresolved experiences from previous incarnations,
or accelerate soul growth.
Importantly, this perspective should never be used to judge, blame or minimise another person’s suffering.
We cannot know another person’s soul journey.
Compassion must always come first.
Soul Families and Soul Contracts
Many spiritual traditions teach that we incarnate repeatedly with members of our soul family.
Roles may change from lifetime to lifetime.
A mother in one life may become a child in another. A former partner may return as a sibling, friend, teacher or even adversary.
Dolores Cannon often described these relationships as opportunities for mutual growth.
Not every soul contract is designed to last forever.
Some relationships arrive to:
teach boundaries,
awaken us spiritually,
help us develop self-love,
reveal unresolved wounds,
or redirect us onto a different path.
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is release a soul contract that has completed its purpose.
A Soul Contract Release Invocation
If you feel that a relationship or energetic agreement has reached completion, you may wish to perform a symbolic release ritual.
Find a quiet space, place your hands over your heart, and say:
Beloved Source, Infinite Creator, my Higher Self, spirit guides and guardian angels,
I ask that all soul contracts, vows, agreements, obligations and energetic ties between myself and (name) that have fulfilled their purpose now be lovingly reviewed and released.
I release all expectations, attachments, resentments, fears and obligations that no longer serve the highest good of either soul.
I honour the lessons, growth and experiences we have shared.
I choose forgiveness where possible and compassion where forgiveness is still unfolding.
I call all fragments of my energy back to me, cleansed, healed and restored.
I lovingly return all energy that does not belong to me to its rightful source, blessed with unconditional love.
May we both walk forward on our highest paths in peace, freedom and divine alignment.
I release the past.
I reclaim my sovereignty.
I choose love.
And so it is.
Collective Karma and Humanity’s Evolution
Many spiritual teachings suggest that karma does not operate solely at the individual level.
Humanity itself may also experience collective karma.
Wars, environmental destruction, inequality, violence and exploitation can all be viewed as collective lessons that invite us to evolve as a species.
Many contemporary spiritual teachers believe humanity is currently undergoing a profound period of transformation.
Some refer to this as the emergence of the New Earth.
According to various metaphysical traditions, this transformation involves humanity moving away from fear, separation and conflict, and towards greater compassion, unity and heart-centred living.
Atlantis and the Fall in Consciousness
Some metaphysical teachings, including those explored by Edgar Cayce, Dolores Cannon and the Law of One material, describe the civilisation of Atlantis as a highly advanced society that ultimately fell due to the misuse of power and technology.
Within these traditions, the destruction of Atlantis is often viewed as a cautionary tale.
Technological advancement without spiritual maturity may ultimately lead to imbalance.
The lesson for humanity today may be clear:
Advanced technology must be guided by wisdom, compassion and an open heart.
The Law of One and Spiritual Polarity
The Law of One material presents a unique understanding of spiritual evolution.
According to these teachings, souls evolve through choices made in everyday life.
One pathway is known as Service to Others—living primarily through love, compassion, cooperation and unity.
Another pathway is Service to Self—seeking power and control primarily for personal gain.
The material suggests that spiritual growth involves consciously choosing how we will relate to others and the world around us.
Regardless of one’s beliefs about densities or reincarnation, the underlying message is powerful:
Love matters.
Compassion matters.
Our choices matter.
Is Karma Real?
Ultimately, whether karma is understood literally, symbolically or psychologically, many spiritual traditions arrive at a similar conclusion:
Our thoughts, intentions and actions shape both ourselves and the world around us.
Every moment offers a new choice.
We can choose fear or love.
Separation or unity.
Resentment or forgiveness.
Perhaps karma is not a cosmic punishment.
Perhaps karma is simply consciousness learning to remember its true nature.
And perhaps the greatest spiritual practice of all is to live each day with an open heart.
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