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THE JAIN APPROACH TO SELF-REALIZATION
H.H. Atmanandji Maharaj
Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhana Kendra
Koba, Dist. Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Introduction:
Self-Realization may be defined as the direct, immediate, first hand communication of the devotee with the Divine, whence the conscious connection of the soul is suspended from the activities of the body, sense, speech, breathing and mind. It is always associated with immense, super-sensuous, supra-normal, ineffable, experiential bliss, usually resulting in total inner sublime transformation of the person concerned.
It heralds an era of unprecedental clarity of a new enlightened vision bestowing immediate, medium term and long term beatitude on the individual. It has been considered the most important, unparalleled and sublime achievement of the soul; granting him an ineffaceable guarantee for the complete emancipation from the transmigratory mundane existence(!), as is stated in Yogasara / 107:
जे सिद्धया ने सिद्धशे, सिद्ध थतां भगवान , ते आतमदर्शन थकी, अम जाण निर्धात ॥
General Considerations:
Self-Realization is the common aim of the spiritual aspirants all over the world. The path to Self-Realization has been depicted more or less on similar lines among all the Indo-Aryan religious traditions.
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The Yogic school of Philosophy propounded by Maharshi Patanjali, systematically describes eight steps to Self-Realization which are well known in the form of Yama, Niyama, Aasana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi.
In the 6th chapter of Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita, Atmasamyamayoga, we find a brief and lucid exposition of the control of the mind and senses with acquisition of self-control leading to equanimity.
