Guiding Light Freedom from Opinion

Author(s): Namramuni
Publisher: Namramuni

Page 2

Freedom from Opinions.....
Freedom from Opinions....
One's expression of thoughts depends
on the opinions he has formed.
Vitraagadasha means a state free of opinions, attachments and passion...!
An individual's expression, reaction and action are directed by his opinions and assumptions. One's behavior depends on the opinion he has developed for that person, object or situation.
Our opinions create feelings within us which may be good or bad. Usually, in this present era, a person tends to have more ill feelings than good ones.
One tends to see through the eyes of opinions and assumptions. When you form an opinion about something, it will remain set in your mind. The knots of assumptions are so strong that they fail to untie themselves, even after many years. Situations may change, but opinions do not.
What is the mentality of people today? They get involved with their surroundings and get influenced easily...whatever they see, they tend to imbibe it, regardless of whether it is in line with their values, what they are familiar with or whether it is good or bad.
A person saw Valiya, the dacoit, who robbed to earn a living to support his family and formed an image of Valiya as a robber in his mind. Later on, Valiya came into contact with saints and with their blessings, gained spiritual understanding and knowledge, and became Saint Valmiki. The same person now meets Saint Valmiki. The first thought that comes to his mind is that 'he is a robber.'
Parmatma inspires us to be like a mirror. A mirror only reflects the image of the person, be it a beauty queen or a demon. Neither does it not get involved with the image, nor changes itself, even after seeing the reflection. A true accomplice is like a mirror. He observes everything but does not get involved in anything nor does he express his opinions. He is unaffected by the change in situations. He only observes... He does not react...!
How does his opinion manifest itself?
He ponders, "Although he is now dressed like a saint, but in the past, he was a robber."
What is the meaning of Vitraagadasha (a dispassionate state)?
Parmatma has said that.....
What should one do if he wants to progress on the path of spirituality? What should he do for the purification of his soul? An accomplice may have been performing physical austerities at the superficial level, but what about his inner growth?
one does not bind karmas just by observing
a person, an object or a situation. Karmas are bound when you express your opinion
for a person, an object or a situation.
First of all, he must become like a mirror. He must never get involved with anything, nor express his opinion about anything.
It is said that the Jain religion is a religion of "Vitraaga Parmatma. "What is Vitraagata-isita state of dispassion?
Some people are always in a good mood and are smiling all the time, whereas, some are sad, even in a happy environment. One's mind is always