Bliss

Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Page 86

ATTACHMENT IS BONDAGE, DETACHMENT LIBERATION
Detachment to one's possessions is an art to be mastered. Such an art has no pre-requisite of philosophical knowledge or religious rituals. It only requires willingness.
The sādhanā, which emerges from within and becomes
life. But the sadhana, which has been imposed externally, is burdensome and hinders one's progress. Keeping this in mind, when an aspirant sets forth on the spiritual path, he must be ready from within. Only then must he tread this path.
For the aspirant who can effortlessly carry the responsibility of sadhana, there is no question of doing it partially. He treads the path of complete sadhana and is known as a sadhu. The aspirant who is caught in his worldly web and therefore cannot manage the circumstances effortlessly, treads the path of partial sādhanā and is known as a śrāvaka.
Even though the śravaka treads the path partially, his goal is the same as that of the sadhu's. He gradually moves towards complete sadhanā. Today we will reflect on the vow of limiting one's desires in the context of śrāvaka Ānanda's life.