Breaking Free from the Cycle of Suffering

Have you ever wondered why suffering seems to follow us through life, even when we try our best to avoid it? The answer lies in understanding karmaphala, the fruits of our actions that have been imprinted in our subconscious mind.

So, what is karmaphala? Whenever we do any action (karma), the mind often worries constantly about the results of that action. It wishes for success or fears the failure of that action. The mind is also adept at creating sorrow for the actions that were done in the past.

Thus, the thoughts that constantly weigh the mind down create what is called karmaphala. This karmaphala is of three types, depending on when it was created:

• Sanchita: This karmaphala was generated in previous births and becomes the main reason for the current birth.

• Prarabdha: Karmaphala created during this current birth due to excessive thoughts and worries.

• Aagami: Residual karmaphala that is left after suffering in this birth. It is carried over to the next birth. It is a mixture of both sanchita and prarabdha.

The goal of life is to accept our accumulated karmaphala (sanchita) with patience and allow it to be completely exhausted. In this life, we must remain mentally detached from the actions we perform so that new karmaphala (prarabdha) is not created.

The Chivality system focuses on reducing karmaphala through silence. As karmaphala dissolves, mental disturbances fade, and deep, lasting peace arises. Karmaphala is the root cause of both joy and sorrow. When a person becomes free from karmaphala, they transcend all emotional extremes and remain undisturbed, whether facing praise or blame, gain or loss.

Rising above the chains of suffering, into the light of liberation

We are born in this world because of karmaphala. The purpose of this birth is to attain Mukti (liberation) and become completely free from it.

How is karmaphala created? It mainly arises when we do things we don't like or act under compulsion. Regretting incomplete tasks and constantly worrying about them can also generate karmaphala.

The solution is strikingly simple: If you wish to do something, do it with full presence. If you cannot do it, let it go without worry. Likewise, if you don't want to do something, simply don't do it. This isn't about being irresponsible; it's about acting from a place of clarity rather than compulsion.

As karmaphala reduces, our perception begins to shift positively. We start seeing situations differently, responding with more wisdom and less reactivity. This positive shift in perception is a reliable sign that our karmaphala is decreasing.

When karmaphala is completely destroyed, even the memory of painful incidents naturally fades away. At the time of death, if all karmaphala has been erased, Mukti can be attained. This is why the Chivality system focuses so much on clearing these karmaphala while we're still alive.

Life will always present difficulties. Problems arise when work isn't done correctly or when circumstances don't align with our expectations. Difficulties are inevitable, but suffering is optional. While difficulties come fom outside circumstances, suffering comes from within — from how we choose to respond.

The key is not to think obsessively about difficulties when they arise. If we don't feed them with excessive mental attention, we won't create additional karmaphala. It's like a fire; without fuel, it naturally dies out.

During times of hardship, avoid blaming external causes or people. This restraint helps reduce existing karmaphala rather than adding to it. Instead of getting lost in endless analysis of why something happened, practice tolerance. Let the difficulty pass through you like clouds passing through the sky. Acknowledge it, but let it not settle in your mind.

When Chivam energy is available to you, suffering gradually disappears. As the saying goes, “Shiva Shiva endare bhayavilla”; when we connect with Chivam, suffering simply cannot exist in that space.