________________
destroyed too and on destruction of desires one never feels any deficiency. He always feels gainful and fulfilled. The destruction of desire results in the destruction of attachment due to fulfilment of desires and of aversion due to their non-fulfilment. The destruction of attachment and aversion destroys the feeling of duality with others and fills one with affection towards all. This fills him with self-enjoyment on the spiritual plane.
The qualities of kindness and compassion spring from one's inner self. To identify one's own feelings and experiences with those of the others is sympathy. When the feelings of mercy and sympathy are on the rise, the feelings of attachment and sensuality wane, the mental tension gets reduced, one becomes inward looking and is inclined towards introversion.
The feeling of mercy starts with sympathy for those who are near about and for the five-sensed creatures. We are generally aware of the feelings of those who are our near and dear ones and therefore, we are moved by compassion towards them. We are generally not aware of the feelings of those that are not within the circle of our relationships or acquaintance and are not moved by mercy their conditions. As the circle of our affection and intimacy increases the circle of our mercy also increases. Then gradually we start including entire humanity, animals, birds, insects and even immobile creatures such as vegetation, etc., within the circle of our affection and intimacy and are moved by mercy for them. Finally we develop a feeling of mercy for the entire animate world. The reason being that all the worldly living beings are flawed and the flaws are in themselves, reasons for misery. This results in pain and misery and suffering for the entire set of living beings. Looked at from this standpoint all the worldly living beings are miserable and in pain and suffering and, therefore, deserve mercy. Like this, when one appreciates the infinitely miserable nature of the entire worldly living set, one is moved by infinite mercy towards them. Such infinite mercy irresidually destroys attachment and results in perfectly detached state. This is indicative of the fullest spiritual development.
Positive Non-Violence
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org