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What if karma is more than just cause and effect? My podcast with Manish Modi and this piece look at how it shapes our lives.
When you hear the word “karma,” what comes to mind? Maybe you think of a cosmic balance sheet, keeping track of good and bad deeds. Or perhaps it feels like an invisible force shaping major life events—good luck, bad luck, rewards, and consequences. But Jainism offers a different perspective: what if karma isn’t just about life-changing moments but also about the smallest choices you make every single day? The words you speak, the thoughts you entertain, even the things you buy—these, too, are shaping your path.
Jain scholar and publisher Manish Modi explains how the Agamas, the ancient texts of Jainism, still hold relevance in today’s world. “All of the external knowledge is merely a take-off point for the internal wisdom,” he says. “Once you have the internal wisdom… it becomes part of who you are.” The wisdom of Jainism isn’t just abstract philosophy—it’s a guide for how you live, moment to moment.
According to Jain teachings, four major forces keep individuals bound to the cycle of karma: food, fear, materialism, and attachment. But this isn’t about rejecting food or avoiding relationships—it’s about awareness. How much are these forces driving your decisions? Are they leading to more attachment, more karmic weight?
Christopher Chapple, an expert in Jain philosophy, emphasises how even small, everyday choices contribute to karma. “The spiritual path begins with a commitment to do-no-harm: ahimsa. This requires constant vigilance, self-monitoring, and self-reflection. Is it sometimes better to remain silent than to share a perceived truth that might hurt someone?” he asks. Every interaction, every word spoken (or not spoken), can add to or dissolve karma.
Another overlooked karmic factor? Consumerism. We rarely stop to think about how the things we own contribute to karmic accumulation. As Chapple puts it, “Owning more things leads to increased violence, simply from the production and transport and eventual disposal of ‘stuff.’ In many ways, we have become over-stuffed! Making a commitment to reduce consumption can help lighten one’s karmic load: aparigraha.” The more we consume, the more we contribute to cycles of harm—something Jain teachings encourage us to reflect upon.
Another overlooked karmic factor? Consumerism. We rarely stop to think about how the things we own contribute to karmic accumulation. As Chapple puts it, “Owning more things leads to increased violence, simply from the production and transport and eventual disposal of ‘stuff.’ In many ways, we have become over-stuffed! Making a commitment to reduce consumption can help lighten one’s karmic load: aparigraha.” The more we consume, the more we contribute to cycles of harm—something Jain teachings encourage us to reflect upon.
If karma is shaped by small actions, does that mean you have to give up everything and live like a monk? Not at all. Jain teachings don’t demand extreme lifestyle changes—unless you feel drawn to them. The focus is on mindfulness, on becoming aware of the choices you make and how they impact you and the world around you.
“There is nothing wrong with adopting a seemingly (to others) extreme lifestyle as long as it is grounded in nonviolence,” Chapple explains. “From their food choices to the final fast, Jain monks and nuns present to the world the far edge of what is possible to minimise harm in this world.”
For those looking for practical, sustainable ways to shift their karma, Jainism offers simple but powerful practices. Eating mindfully, consuming less, and letting go of unnecessary fears can make a real difference. Even something as simple as standing in silence for a few minutes each day—a Jain practice called Kayotsarga—can help. “This centering practice can help build resolve to carry life forward with positivity,” says Chapple.
If karma is shaped by small actions, does that mean you have to give up everything and live like a monk? Not at all. Jain teachings don’t demand extreme lifestyle changes—unless you feel drawn to them. The focus is on mindfulness, on becoming aware of the choices you make and how they impact you and the world around you.
“There is nothing wrong with adopting a seemingly (to others) extreme lifestyle as long as it is grounded in nonviolence,” Chapple explains. “From their food choices to the final fast, Jain monks and nuns present to the world the far edge of what is possible to minimise harm in this world.”
For those looking for practical, sustainable ways to shift their karma, Jainism offers simple but powerful practices. Eating mindfully, consuming less, and letting go of unnecessary fears can make a real difference. Even something as simple as standing in silence for a few minutes each day—a Jain practice called Kayotsarga—can help. “This centering practice can help build resolve to carry life forward with positivity,” says Chapple.
We live in a world of constant distraction and overconsumption. Everywhere we turn, we’re encouraged to want more, buy more, and do more. But what if the key to clarity and purpose isn’t in accumulating but in simplifying?
A 2024 study challenges the human-centered approach to sustainability, highlighting how ancient philosophies like Jainism offer a more balanced way to live—one that respects nature and prioritizes ethical responsibility. Research suggests that Jain principles, such as non-violence and minimalism, not only promote sustainability but also contribute to lower stress and greater well-being. Perhaps sustainability isn’t just about the planet but also about how we choose to live.
At its core, Jainism isn’t just about grand philosophical concepts. It’s about real-life tools for navigating the everyday world with greater awareness and less karmic weight. As Modi puts it, “If you can keep in mind, I am here to give. Whatever happens to me is a result of my past karmas. What I do will come back to me. If you’re clear about that, you’re sorted.”
So, if small choices have the power to shape your karma, wouldn’t you want to be more mindful of them? It’s not about making drastic changes—it’s about seeing every moment as an opportunity to lighten your karmic load and live with more clarity and purpose.
We live in a world of constant distraction and overconsumption. Everywhere we turn, we’re encouraged to want more, buy more, and do more. But what if the key to clarity and purpose isn’t in accumulating but in simplifying?
A 2024 study challenges the human-centered approach to sustainability, highlighting how ancient philosophies like Jainism offer a more balanced way to live—one that respects nature and prioritizes ethical responsibility. Research suggests that Jain principles, such as non-violence and minimalism, not only promote sustainability but also contribute to lower stress and greater well-being. Perhaps sustainability isn’t just about the planet but also about how we choose to live.
At its core, Jainism isn’t just about grand philosophical concepts. It’s about real-life tools for navigating the everyday world with greater awareness and less karmic weight. As Modi puts it, “If you can keep in mind, I am here to give. Whatever happens to me is a result of my past karmas. What I do will come back to me. If you’re clear about that, you’re sorted.”
So, if small choices have the power to shape your karma, wouldn’t you want to be more mindful of them? It’s not about making drastic changes—it’s about seeing every moment as an opportunity to lighten your karmic load and live with more clarity and purpose.
