Self-realisation stops the charging of new karma; however it cannot erase our past karmas. Let’s understand the science behind this…
Whatever we are experiencing in this life is all a result of the past karma. We had made intentions in the past life and bound karma; and hence, in this life we are given to experience the effects of those past karma. However, while experiencing the effect of our past life’s karma, we simultaneously bind new karma for our future life, depending on our inner intent. In this way, we become trapped in the perpetual cycle of birth and death. We can become free from karma only after we attain Self Realisation.

Lord says, you are not the ‘doer’ of anything. When you become the doer, you are planting the seed of a new karma for your life to come. Everything around you is happening according to the unfolding of your past karma; but instead you take credit for it. You take the credit of doership in events which are unfolding naturally as a result of your past karma. It is a grave mistake to do this. You would achieve liberation only if you could destroy this mistake of false doership.

Upon Self-Realization, we realize that, ‘I am a pure Soul, separate from the body and the mind.’ Hence, really speaking, ‘I am not the doer of the tasks that happen by John (please insert your name here)’ - we gain this knowledge after Self-Realization.

So now, after Self-Realization, the Enlightened One advises,
“You just remain a spectator (of whatever happens), like you are seeing a movie. It is like watching the movie of ‘John’ - sometimes there is tragedy, sometimes there is joy and fun. It is all a movie!

John is in connection with the cycle of karma. But you are a pure Soul, and you are out of the cycle of karma.”
So, although the past karmas cannot be erased, the suffering and misery as a result of the past karma is done away with after Self-Realization. This is because the pure Soul, which is an abode of eternal bliss, remains totally untouched by karma and its effects.

Thus, liberation from karma happens in two stages:
Liberation from the wrong belief of “I am John (please insert your name here)”, which we have been carrying since infinite lifetimes, is the first stage of moksha (liberation)! In this stage, we become free from all the unhappiness (and any other suffering caused by the past karma) here in this life only. This happens as we realize, ‘I am a pure Soul and these effects of past karma have nothing to do with the Soul.’ Unless and until we achieve the first stage of liberation, which is called Self-Realization, we cannot start with finishing our karmas. We stop binding new karma after Self-Realization.

And when all our karma get finished, then the second stage of liberation is achieved, and it is called ‘Nirvana’ or the ultimate salvation. There is no rebirth thereafter. That’s when the ultimate liberation happens.
How can Self-Realization be attained and from whom?
Self-Realization cannot be attained by one’s own efforts. Just as we go to the Doctor to eradicate our disease, we need to go to a living Self-Realised being (Gnani Purush) to eradicate the disease that leads us into a perpetual cycle of birth and death. Only through the grace of a living Gnani Purush can we find our real Self.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan discovered Akram Vignan, a step-less path to Self-Realization, specially for we people, who in the current time, is unable to do severe penance and practice austerities to attain Self-Realization. He unfolded a path where we can attain Self-Realization in just 2 hours’ time, directly with the grace of the Living Gnani. Today, Pujya Deepakbhai is the Living Gnani, who graces seekers around the world with this knowledge, so that they too can see the sufferings of their past karma as separate from them, and thus progress on the path of liberation to experience permanent happiness!!!

To know more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/self-realization/

Author's Bio: 

Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.