What Happens at Death? ~Inspired by the words of S.N Goenka

Death is not the end. It is merely a moment in the flow of life. Just as a river bends and continues its journey, so too does the current of consciousness. When this body stops functioning, the flow does not stop—it simply moves from one form to another, guided by the force of our saṅkhāras, our mental volitions.

Everything depends on these saṅkhāras. With every moment, with every reaction of craving or aversion, we are creating impressions in the mind. Some are weak, some are strong. Some fade quickly, others last a long time.

Let me give you an example:

Imagine drawing a line on water. The moment you draw it, it disappears. These are very weak saṅkhāras—perhaps a small reaction, a fleeting thought. They leave almost no trace. Then, imagine drawing a line in sand. It stays for a while, but with time, wind and water wash it away. These are moderate saṅkhāras—they linger but will fade. But then, imagine carving a line deep into stone. That line remains. Perhaps for a lifetime. Perhaps beyond. These are the deep saṅkhāras—created by intense craving, intense aversion, or strong ignorance. These are the saṅkhāras that bind us to the cycle of birth and death. 

At the time of death, one of these saṅkhāras will come to the surface. If it is a deep, unwholesome one, it will pull the current of consciousness toward suffering. If it is wholesome, born of generosity, compassion, or equanimity, then a fortunate rebirth may follow. But still—the cycle continues.

This is why we practice. This is why we observe our breath and bodily sensations, without reacting, with equanimity. Because when we react, we deepen those grooves in the stone. But when we observe without reaction, we stop creating new lines—and the old ones begin to fade away.

This is purification. This is liberation. When all the deep saṅkhāras are gone, there is no more fuel to propel the flow of consciousness into another existence. The train does not just switch tracks—it comes to a final stop. That is nibbāna. That is true peace.

So work diligently, patiently, persistently. Observe the reality within. Eradicate the deep saṅkhāras, and be free from all suffering.🙏🏻

Contemplation

You are the sum accumulation of saṅkhāras. Every time you react negatively, you deepen the groove of that stream of consciousness that binds you to a fixed identity. Prioritize peace as your state of being and you will be free from all delusion and the repercussions of assuming a mistaken identity.  

🌱 A Moment Becomes a Pattern: Turning a State into a Trait

Temporary mental or emotional experiences—like moments of kindness, mindfulness, or compassion—can gradually become enduring qualities of our character through intentional cultivation.

When you pause and bring mindfulness to your breath—even for a few seconds—you are entering into a state of presence. It's temporary, like a breeze that passes. But if you return to it again and again, this state begins to shape your neural pathways. The mind begins to reorganize itself around that experience. It becomes easier to return to. Over time, this fleeting moment of presence becomes a trait—a capacity to live more and more from that place of awareness.

The Law of Repetition: Reprogramming the Subconscious Mind 

What you practice grows stronger. In Buddhism, this is karmic law in real-time:

“Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of the mind.” —The Buddha (MN 19)

Every moment of practice reinforces a pathway. If we dwell often in worry or anger, those neural grooves deepen. If you practice patience when you're frustrated, even once, it might not feel like much. But if you remember it, reflect on it, give it space to root, that moment plants a seed 🌱. And if you water it with repeated acts, you begin to embody patience—not as an effort, but as a natural trait. This is the transformation of the impermanent into the stable, the state into the trait. The brain does not care what we practice—it simply makes it easier to do again.

🌸 A Flowering of Character

So when you:

• Pause in compassion when someone lashes out,

• Take a breath instead of reacting habitually,

• Offer a kind word despite your own pain,

  
  

… you are not just passing through a beautiful state. You are laying the foundation for who you are becoming. Every moment matters—not because we need to perfect ourselves, but because we are always becoming a little bit more free. This is the miracle of the human heart: it is capable of transformation.

You might ask yourself:

• What traits am I reinforcing without realizing it?

• What fleeting experiences of goodness have I dismissed as temporary, when they could be the beginnings of something lasting?

• What character traits do I want to cultivate in this life of mine?

The Buddhist path is not about forcing ourselves to become someone we have not yet understood the value of. It's about having direct experience that allows us to remember who we already are, and slowly, gently strengthening the bridge between momentary glimpses and abiding presence. A state becomes a trait when we love it enough to return to it, again and again.

We can work diligently towards cultivating ease in our life by applying right effort. I speak more about right effort here.

May you all taste the nectar of liberation.

May you all be happy.

May you all be liberated.

Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṁ.

Did you know that when you share the Dharma with others, it becomes a blessing? If you know someone who can benefit from these teachings, please share the fruits of clarity with others 🙏🏻