________________
Forbearance, thus, is essential for self-awareness. Without it the material shell of the body cannot be cast off.
Fearlessness (abhaya)
Development of forbearance brings fearlessness. Cowards can never win any war; shedding off cowardice is the first prerequisite of declaring war against the enemy and total fearlessness carries one to the final victory (over the enemy).
The spritual self never knows any fear and is entirely free from it. Realisation of self-awareness necessitates freedom from fear. Without it neither relaxation nor selfawareness is possible.
Relaxation is freedom from fear. Self-awareness is Casting off the material shell of the body without fear.
Freedom from anxiety (for the body) may appear easy enough but is not so easy. 'It is my body' or 'I am the body' --identification of the self with the body creates anxiety and fear. In fact, it is inherent in the identification. Only when one realises by actual experience that the spiritual self is non-material, and has an independent existence, separate from the material body, can he be completely free from fear and anxiety. Self-realisation and self-awareness are great steps forward for total freedom from fear.
21
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
