I am The Soul Part 01

SR No.: 006790
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Tarulatabai Mahasati
Publisher: Shri Gujarati Shwetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Association
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 90

The Wizened Wise
The devoted practice of the three-fold path, in addition to making us aware of the reality of the true nature of the Self, also reveals the Self to us. A being indulges in impiety (fa) only because he is unaware of the Self. That which leads to the decline of the feelings of attachment and aversion is devotion (з).
The being is however, engrossed in these feelings. Instead of striving to reduce the feelings of attachment-aversion, we are involved in strengthening them. One who is desirous of liberation, has to gradually reduce the feelings of attachment-aversion, only then will he get closer to liberation. For, the total removal of the feelings of attachment and aversion is itself liberation. Otherwise the intensity of these feelings will result in attracting karma. The goal of liberation remains distant as a result, in spite of endless effort.
The learned have attempted to explain the path of liberation in every possible way. Here in 'Atmasiddhi Shastra', Srimadji tells us about two types of beings. One is of course the seemingly inanimate being bogged down in rituals, who is wallowing in them, considering only those to be the totality. He carries the strong belief that what he does will lead him to liberation. This belief of his keeps him from looking towards the Soul. He remains unaware that the effort made by the Soul is the true effort. How then will he experience the antarbheda, how will he become aware of the duality of the body and the soul? That is how his feelings of devotion fail to arise. Thus despite stubbornly going through several rituals, such beings remain irreverent.
The second type of beings are the wizened wise, the ones with a dried up wisdom, the impractical theorists. Let us see what Srimadji has to say about the inward-outward state of such beings.