Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 88

.... ĀTMĀ
The Self....
CONCLUSION
Childhood is the foundation - stone upon which stands the whole lifestructure. The seed sown in childhood blossoms into the tree of life. The education which is imparted in childhood is more important than the education which is received in colleges and universities. In the process of human growth, proper guidance along with environment - learning is important.
Young age is the building period of the flower of life. It needs protection of Master Teacher, so that the diverse opinions of others do not create confusion in the mind. A tender mind can be bent easily, an impure mind creates obstructions, and an orderly mind is an instrument for direct experiences. The direct experience is the highest of all ways of gaining knowledge. All other means are only fragments. In the path of self-realization, purity, singular - purpose and control of the mind are essential.
To cultivate the quality of humility is one step towards enlightenment. By being humble we gain much and lose nothing. Prayers and contemplation strengthen our will-power in cultivating the inner quality. Self-surrender is the highest and easiest method for enlightenment. One who has surrendered himself is always protected by the Divine Power. Perfection is the goal of human life.
Knowledge and perception are exclusive properties of the Soul. They are the inherent qualities. The real and the true could be revealed only by the innerself. As even a small particle of sugar gives the taste of sweetness, the understanding of the Cosmic Order, even in a particle will give us some insight into deep mysteries, helping us to grasp the basis and the basic principles which have contributed to the shaping of the universe.
The 'Destiny' (Bhavitavyatā) transferred us from the invisible 'Nigoda' and placed us in the active division 'Vyavahar Rāśi' with individual body for each soul (Jiva). Now we begin the wanderings in the temporal ocean (Samsāra) of worldly illusions. We live socially in a real ever-lasting universe of animate, sentient, conscious beings (Jiva) and of inanimate objects, insentient, unconscious (Ajiva). We attract (Aśrava) subtle forms of matter
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