Book Title: Amar Vani Author(s): Amarmuni Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith AgraPage 51
________________ 36 AMAR VANI Break the Hard Surface There are oceans flowing underneath the hard layers of the earth. There are streams of water flowing underneath the hard mountain rocks. You have only to remove the hard surface and you will get water and water. In the same way underneath the outer hard layer of selfishness in the heart of man there is an unbounded ocean of sympathy and kindness. Break this hard crust of selfishness and let the stream of the nector of humanity flow from it. Therein lies the secret of human success. The Plane of Humanity If you are a god, come down a little; and if you are an animal, raise yourself a jittle. The plane of humanity lies midway between godhood and animalhood. The path leading to liberation lies straight from the plane of humanity. Animal is in the fallen state and god is beyond the reach of man. The path to liberation does not pass through either of these planes. It passes only through the plane of human life. One can attain liberation only by treading on the path of humanity in a spirit of service, dedication and sacrifice. The Development of Consciousness The ideal of the common man is confined to the pleasures of the body and senses. His consciousness remains confined to his 'self.' It does not go beyond it. Such a man can stoop to any kind of sin, evil, injustice or exploitation in order to protect and preserve his 'self.' The only deity that he worships is his small 'Self.' When man advances a step further, he begins to think of the protection and preservation of the family in place of his Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.orgPage Navigation
1 ... 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176