327: Everything You Think You Know About Karma Is Wrong with Ashok Thakur

What if your greatest heartbreak or lowest moment could become the launchpad for your deepest healing? In this deeply moving and spiritually charged episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and radiant soul, Ashok Thakur—cybersecurity CEO by day, spiritual teacher by soul. From growing up with 8 siblings in a small Himalayan town, to surviving a near-death experience, to losing everything overnight after a painful divorce… Ashok has lived through every kind of breakdown—and emerged in full technicolor joy. We dive into the heart of what it means to break free from generational and cultural karmas, how to face triggers with love, rewire your beliefs, raise conscious children, and step fully into the light—even if you've walked through the darkest shadows. What you'll get out of this episode… What happens when your carefully built life suddenly falls apart—and why it might be the best thing for your soul The surprising spiritual lesson Ashok learned after facing his near-death experience How to break free from patterns you didn’t choose, but inherited The real reason joy might feel out of reach—and how to reframe your relationship to it How to raise emotionally free kids (even if you weren’t raised that way yourself) Why healing others might be the key to finally healing yourself A powerful new way to respond to triggers—without losing your center What it actually takes to rewrite your story after betrayal, loss, or heartbreak Key Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + invocation to anchor the episode 03:06 – Meet Ashok Thakur & his epic journey 06:51 – From financial success to rock bottom overnight 10:00 – Divorce, betrayal & the start of a spiritual reckoning 13:46 – Growing up with 8 siblings & losing his father at 21 15:30 – His near-death experience & choosing to return 21:30 – Healing through service: How helping others healed him 26:10 – “How is that working for you?” – the question that changes everything 29:53 – Cultural karma, father wounds & ancestral beliefs 34:00 – Ashok’s “bubble theory” for healing the past 46:38 – Conscious parenting: Raising emotionally free kids 51:17 – Can we change our karma? Ashok’s answer 55:22 – How to connect with Ashok & his daily spiritual practice 58:40 – Rapid-fire “That Sucked, Now What?” lightning round Want more? 🧘‍♀️ If you’re ready to stay rooted in your rituals — the Chai Tonics Ritual Starter Kit is for you. Created to help you lead with presence, peace, and pleasure. 💛 Only 250 kits available → ⁠neetabhushan.com/ritual⁠ ☕ Love chai + self-care? Grab my free 12-month ritual guide → neetabhushan.com/chaitonics 🌿 Need focus, recovery, or balance? Take my FREE quiz to find your perfect wellness boost → neetabhushan.com/chaiquiz Connect with Ashok IG / @ashok.thakur.3194 BOOK / Infinite Love, Finite Life Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you! YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable IG / @neetabhushan IG / @thebravetable TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan WEB / https://neetabhushan.com If you loved this episode, check out… Ep. #321: The “Good Girl” Lie That’s Keeping You Stuck (And How to Break Free) with Dr. Shefali Tsabary ( Apple | Spotify | YouTube ) Ep. #296: Healing, Reinvention & Finding Love with Christine Hassler ( Apple | Spotify | YouTube ) Ep. #259: Discover the 5 Stages of Heart Awakening with Kimberly Snyder ( Apple | Spotify | YouTube ) To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to support@globalgrit.co 😘 Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.