Karmic Relief
Harnessing the Laws of Cause-and-Effect for a Joyful, Meaningful Life
Philip Goldberg
Paperback
ISBN 9781958972991
$22.99 US
eBook available
October 14, 2025
“Karma” is in our vocabulary, but we don’t know what it means.
The word is everywhere—not just in alternative spirituality, and among Hindus and Buddhists, but in news reports, ads, sitcoms, sports columns, and the everyday conversations of people who wouldn’t know the Upanishads from Us Magazine. Stephen Colbert invokes the term on TV, and Taylor Swift summons it in song. iTunes in fact lists more than 150 karmic song titles.
This book highlights karmic belief and practice throughout history and how they came to the West, then applies the principles of these ethics to relationships, life decisions, health, death, and all aspects of self-development.
“We’re always planting karmic seeds,” writes Philip Goldberg.
Karma is a profoundly useful idea, and Karmic Relief is a profoundly useful book. It offers a blueprint for building a fulfilling life and a way to reconcile some of life’s most vexing conundrums.
Philip Goldberg has been studying the world’s spiritual wisdom for more than fifty years, as a practitioner, teacher, and author. His many books include American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, named one of the top ten religion books of the year by the American Library Association. He has lectured and taught at venues throughout North America and India, and conducted online courses for platforms such as Spirituality & Practice, Embodied Philosophy, and Hindu University of America. He also teaches private online courses on the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and other topics. Since January, 2023, he has hosted the podcast “Spirit Matters with Philip Goldberg” at mindbodyspirit.fm. Learn more at PhilipGoldberg.com. He lives in Great Barrington, MA.
“Karmic Relief is a wise, inspiring, and beautiful book offering potent medicine for our times. With the clarity and humility that come from a lifetime of dedicated study and practice, Goldberg invites us to embrace the beauty and power that comes from living ethically.” —Miranda Macpherson, author of The Way of Grace: The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation
For the author’s earlier books:
“An illuminating, gracefully written and remarkably thorough account of India’s spectacular impact on Western religion and spirituality.” –Deepak Chopra
“American Veda shows us how we got to where we are. It chronicles a revolution in consciousness and describes India’s lasting influence on our culture, from gurus, meditation, and yoga to sitar music and aromatic curries. Savor it.” –Michael Bernard Beckwith, author of Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential
“Documents an important cultural change and is an impressive book: informed and informative, well researched and readable.” –Roger Walsh MD, PhD, University of California Medical School, author of Essential Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices
“Intriguing reading, fascinating profiles and great storytelling of Yoga luminaries adapting the teachings to fit modern American life. This book inspires us to continue to deepen in our body, mind, and spiritual journey.” –Lilias Folan, PBS Host and author Lilias! Yoga Gets Better with Age
