We keep slipping into karmas even when we “know” they’re just material or temporary because, in Jain view, intellectual awareness is not the same as inner transformation.

In simple Jain terms:

1. Mithyātva (wrong vision) is still inside

- We may understand that everything is material and temporary, but deep within we still see body, relations, money, respect, emotions etc. as “mine”, as real sources of happiness and fear. - As long as this subtle wrong belief is there, new karmas will continue to bind.

1. Kaṣāyas (passions) are strong habits

- Anger, pride (mān), deceit, greed – even in mild form – pull in karmas (āsrava) and bind them (bandha). - These are not just occasional outbursts; they are old mental habits from many lives. So in a single life, just “knowing” is not enough to melt them.

1. Bhāva vs information

- Shāstra say: Bhāva (inner feeling/attitude) attracts karma first; then physical karmic matter (dravya karma) binds. - We often improve information (we read, listen to pravachans), but our bhāva in daily situations (irritation, jealousy, fear, attachment) remains almost the same – so karmic pattern also remains the same. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Yoga (mental, verbal, physical activity) never stops

- As long as mind–speech–body are moving, some karmic inflow happens. - If yoga is mixed with passions → heavy karmas. - If the same actions are done with more awareness, detachment, and compassion → lighter karmas or even punya.

1. Samyak Darshan is not yet firm

- A moment of good understanding after satsang is not the same as stable samyak darshan (right vision). - Until right vision is firm, the soul continuously gets pulled outward, forgets itself, reacts, and binds karma again and again.

1. Subtle attachment to “good” still remains

- Even spiritual pride (“I know more”, “I follow more”) or attachment to our view, our group, our role as a ‘good person’ creates karmas. - So we may drop gross material attachment but keep subtle ego and attachment to our opinions and image.

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What to practically do so slipping reduces

In Jain dharma, the solution is not to hate yourself for slipping, but to gradually purify bhāva:

1. Daily awareness check (jāgruti)

- Several times a day, very briefly check: “Right now, am I in anger / pride / deceit / greed / attachment / aversion?” - Just seeing the kashāya in the moment weakens its grip over time.

1. Alpa–alpa samvara (small stoppage of karma)

- Slightly reduce intensity of reactions: - Anger → become a little less harsh. - Greed → one desire less, little more contentment. - Even small reductions create samvara (stoppage of new karmic inflow). ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Pratikraman and genuine regret

- End of the day, recall where you slipped. - Feel honest repentance: “I did wrong under passion; I wish to change.” - This softens old karmas and stops the same pattern repeating as strongly.

1. Bhāvanā / reflection

- Regularly reflect on: anitya (impermanence), aśaraṇa (no worldly shelter), samyaktva (value of right vision), and the pure nature of soul. ( jainknowledge.com) - Slowly, this shifts the center of value from “things / feelings” to “soul / equanimity”.

1. Right company (satsang) and right guidance

- Spend time with teachings and people who remind you of ātma–tattva, not just worldly success. - This nourishes samyak darshan and weakens mithyātva.

1. Accept that it’s a long process

- From Jain view, strong karmic habits are from countless births. - So expecting “I understood once, now I’ll never slip” is itself ignorance. - Instead: steady, patient effort with hope – this is the Jain way.

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In short: We slip because our inner vision and passions are stronger than our intellectual understanding. By strengthening right vision, reducing passions step by step, and doing regular samvara–nirjarā practices (awareness, pratikraman, bhāvanā, some form of tapas), the frequency and intensity of slipping into karma gradually becomes less.

If you wish to read more on how karmas bind and how they stop, you can see this detailed explanation on karma and nav tattvas here: and