Book Title: Equanimity Philosophy and Practice Author(s): Nanesh Acharya Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit SamsthanPage 92
________________ activity is undertaken by you for practice, it will be steadfast. Then your mind will take rest only when it reaches the destination. Doctrinal Aspect of Equanimity : It is a proverb that the beginning of any auspicious thing should start from one's own self, as such Equanimiiy should also emanate from self. First of all we should make ourselves to think evenly, to know evenly, to believe evenly, to perceive evenly; and to do evenly (sam), Even means alike and alike means balanced. There is a scale, when both its pans are equipoised, it is called balanced. When the scale is weighing equally, i's needle rests exactly in the middle. So also when the needle of mind leaving the differences and remaining centralised perceives a thingcontemplates on it and then decides to act suitably that mind will also be called balanced (temperate). For the equilibrium self restraint is necessary even if self interest suffers, yet the balance of mind be not lostthis work is performed by self restraint. Due to self restraint (evenness) moderation never breaks up at any stage When temperateness has yielded, unevenness swoops on the mind-selfishness, pleasures and vices encroach upon it immediately-then it becomes difficult to extricate the mind from that whirl pool. Hence, the safety of evenness even accomplished once carries much significance. On the celestial tree of self-restraint grows the immortal fruit of relinquishment. Relinquishment means abandonment (abnegation). This relinquishment is not without a thought or a cause. For the broad purpose of culturing evenness and extending it, one who learns to abnegate life, 67 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.orgPage Navigation
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