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IX. FREEDOM FROM
REACTION (2)
'Action and reaction are natural phenomena. A thornprick and the hand immediately reaches the affected spot to pull it out! The pricking of the thorn is action; cxtracting it immediately, reaction. A thorn pricks, the message is instantly transmitted to the central nervous system through messenger-nerves. A direction is given, the muscles get activated, and the hand reaches out to extract the thorn. That is the theory of action and reaction. To cvery action there is a reaction. It is inevitable. Nevertheless, we must avoid those reactions which do not further our well-being, which are positively harmful, and which stand in the way of our sulfilment, perverting our habits. Merely saying that reaction is natural, would not do. Many people think that it is natural for a man to be angry if somebody abuses him. If he docs not get angry, he is dubbed as 'timid' and 'weak. One is not supposed to pocket an insult quietly: a man who does so is not considered manly. However, every response cannot be said to be natural; we must exercise discrimination. All those responses which are natural for the continuation of life require no thoughton our part; we don't have to make any effort to change them. But there are reactions which are not natural, which proceed from some belief, some conclusion, almost unconsciously. These we must avoid. But how? That is a complex problem. Because one has formed certain habits, because the constitution of one's brain is such that given a particular situation, a particular reaction automatically comes off, despite onc's will to the contrary.
A good deal of work is necessary for ushcring in light; darkness requires no exertion! Light comes and goes but darkness is cternal! One strives to cultivate forgiveness, but in the moment of action, forgiveness is lost sight of, and anger ariscs automatically. How to be free from these reactions? We need some support -- a sound maxim. For we want no excuses ; We want thc work donc.
A story from the history of Terapanth Acharya Rishirai directed Jaicharya to proceed from Bidasar to Bikaner. It was formidable weather, terrifying hcat, the sizzling sands of the desert -- those frightful dunes ; there were no roads! A 70-mile journey in the hottest month of the year and no water anywhere! To traverse those scalding dunes, all the way to Bikaner! Such was the
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