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I am the Soul
257
Brothers! The thorn of ego is embedded so deep in our mind that it is difficult to pull it out. If a thorn that has pierced the sole has not gone too deep, it can be removed easily. But if it has pierced deep, then it needs to be probed with a needle, there is bleeding and so much pain. Why! It even makes you scream as it is pulled out. So a deeply embedded thorn can be pulled out only if you are prepared to bear all the pain. In the same way, the ego that is embedded in the soul also calls for a great tolerance if it has to be pulled out. And only then can there be a capitulation of our own attitudes or faults. That will be Pratikramana in the true sense.
Brothers! I would say, one who really wants to become an Atmarthi from Matarthi, one who wants to awaken the yearning for the Moksa and reach the category of Moksa-seekers, should understand every single thought of Pratikramana in a proper manner. With a proper understanding, and with a ceaseless faith and awakening, one has to perform the Pratikramana for one's own sins. Only then can the internal attitudes be truly understood and an effort made to eliminate them. In spite of having understood the true concept of Pratikramana, if you continue to live in total disregard for it, the high flowing talk about attaining the soul will not get you anywhere, will not elevate you.
Well, let us all understand our own faulty attitudes, contemplate upon them and try to eliminate them.
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