12. Root Cause Analysis.

 *Root Cause Analysis*

At the root of all the happenings that are not to be taken a credit for, lies a simple but deeply ingrained habit: *blaming the external*. 

Situations, people, outcomes: Everything outside becomes the cause of my inner disturbance. 

This outward orientation keeps the cycle of karma alive.

The shift begins when attention turns inward.

Not as a concept, but as a lived enquiry: What is happening within me in response to what is happening outside?

The Core Error: Misplaced Responsibility

It is tempting to say, “I am responsible for everything.”

But this needs precision.

From the standpoint of ultimate truth, the bondage of karma is indeed due to my own inner states: Raag (attachment), Dwesh (aversion), and Moh (delusion).

However, external events themselves unfold through prarabdha (karmic fruition) and nimit (the catalyst). However, at the core, prarabdh is something which is a result of my previous actions / purusharth that might have happened either during this birth or one of the previous births.

So the clarity is this:

Although, I might not be in a position to directly validate and justify that I am sole responsible if someone does something to me for no reason, I need to assure myself that this is happening to me because for sure, I have done something somewhere in the past (during the time immemorial, if I cannot find this during the current life)

And in any case, I am fully responsible for how I respond within and outside. And this is the purusharth of the present moment.

*_The Inner Axis of Nijbhaan, Nijbhaav, and Vrutti_*

From a perspective of awareness and intent, the spiritual journey revolves around three interconnected dimensions:

Nijbhaan: The state of being the knower, pure awareness

Nijbhaav: The inner purity free from distortion

Vrutti: The direction in which attention flows. The core intent.

When vrutti flows outward in identification, it strengthens false (fake) identity.

When it rests in nijbhaan, it dissolves bondage.

*_The Real vs The Fake Identity_*

At every moment, there are two identities operating:

1. The Fake Identity (Vyavaharik self)

➡️ Built on roles, relationships, and social positioning

➡️ Driven by validation, protection, and continuity

➡️ Rooted in raag, dwesh, moh and the 4 prime sagnas (ahaar, bhay, maithun, parigrah)

2. The Real Identity (Soul, Atman, the Self)

➡️ Pure knower (Gnata-Drashta)

➡️ Detached, unaffected, ever-present

➡️ Free from all dependency on outcomes

The conflict of life is nothing but...

Which identity am I prioritizing in this moment?

While dealing with the stuff in Sansaar, often I tend to say: “In the worldly context, this is necessary.”

_(Vyavahar ma to aam karvu pade)_

This statement needs to be examined deeply.

Is the action truly necessary?

Or is it driven by the need to protect, defend, or nourish the false/fake identity?

A powerful self-check in such moments:

Is there inner disturbance (fear, irritation, pride)?

Am I seeking validation or control?

If the outcome changes, will I feel affected?

Am I completely absorbed?

If the answer to any of these is “yes,”

then the action is not neutra; it is binding.

"Vyavahar" is Not the Problem. Identification is.

As long as I am embodied, vyavahar (worldly functioning) certainly will continue.

Actions will happen. Roles will be played. Decisions will be made.

The goal is not to reject vyavahar, but to purify my relationship with it.

I got to Act fully, but not become the actor.

*_Karma Bandh; The Actual Mechanism_*

Karma does not bind merely because actions happen.

Bondage occurs when:

There is kashaya (raag, dwesh, moh and krodh, maan, maaya, lobh), and

There is identification with the action

Without kashaya, even action remains non-binding.

So the focus shifts from:

Controlling actions

to

Purifying inner bhaav

Coming back to Vyavahar (that I usually defend mentioning that it needs to be taken care of)...

Using “practical necessity” as a justification often falls into the category of defending the fake identity, if it feeds attachment or ego.

If I (the soul) is in nijbhaan, yes, that can help the purification (shuddhna lakshe)

*_Guiding Principle from Shri AtmaSiddhi Shastra_*

Verse 36 gives a decisive direction:

There is only one path of ultimate truth across all time. That which supports this path alone is worthy of acceptance.

This means:

Any action, thought, or practice must be evaluated mainly on one basis:

Does it lead me closer to nijbhaan or further away?

This evaluation needs to be constant and pertaining to each moment, task, event...

*_The Endless Cycle; and the Exit_*

Since beginningless time, attention has remained outward.

Identification has remained with the non-self.

And karma has continued to accumulate.

If this pattern continues, liberation remains impossible.

But the exit is equally clear: 

It is about the Shift... 

▪️From doership to witnessing.

▪️From reaction to awareness.

▪️From identity to observation.

*_Living This in Real Time_*

In every situation:

▪️Recognize: This is Uday (karmic unfolding)

▪️Observe: What is arising within me?

▪️Detect: Is there kashaay?

▪️Stabilize: Remain in nijbhaan (knower state)

Action may still happen.

But bondage need not.

*_Final Clarity_*

The world will continue as it is.

Situations will arise as per karma.

Vyavahar will not stop.

However, one "shift" potentially is everything:

I am not the doer. I am the knower.

Of course, this needs to be considered with appropriate vigilance and responsibility. 

A clear distinction of whether I am serving the Fake identity or Real identity is inevitable 

With this "knowing", with this "vigilance & responsibility" and with this "distinction",

the chain of karma begins to dissolve.