________________
THE NOTION OF GROWTH
-
15
above. Depending on the intensity of the problem this elation may last shorter or longer.
Yet it is not always a blockage or a problem that may cause this kind of intuition. Our notion of growth also becomes active when we completed a certain level of experience and our vision becomes free to discover new fields. This is experienced as an inner certainty that the new level that is just about to unfold will lead to further growth.
The acquisition of knowledge that causes our notion of growth to arise (adhigama) produces a similarly inspiring effect. It differs fundamentally from the learning of formal contents we generally associate with the term 'acquisition of knowledge'.
When we read or hear descriptions how to expand our consciousness, we often reach a state of dynamic understanding where our mind and feelings suddenly experience an intuitive re-arrangement of thoughts and emotions.
This effect may also happen when we are tutored by someone more advanced on this path. Sometimes their mere presence may be sufficient to produce this effect.
The decisive factor in this process is the energy with which we are searching for this special knowledge and how much effort we direct towards understanding it. The more intensely and consciously we strive for this objective, the faster insights into new levels of consciousness will open up to us.
Our notion of growth may arise through intuition as well as through the acquisition of knowledge. Both paths have the same rank; both equally open up access to this subtle
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org