Jain Journal 1972 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 15

APRIL, 1972
151
centres are highly sensitive, and constitute the main vital connections between the soul and the body; they are all connected with each other, and they form the central system through which the soul functions. Incidentally, the nerve centres play a very important part in spiritual training, especially as the power of inward concentration is developed.
It is the very fine, subtle matter in combination with the soul, by whose vibrations is manufactured the complex nervous system and the body. The development commences from the very first moment the soul enters the mother's womb, at the time of conception, and continues throughout birth, childhood and adolescence.
When the human being reaches complete manhood, or womanhood, and is able to exercise greater control over the fancies and temptations that beset youth, it has reached the stage when the full acceptance of the path of salvation becomes possible. The exceptions are, when the karmas of certain types of individuals, due to actions in past lives, do not permit the acquisition of right faith, and in many cases are the causes of strong aversion to truth.
There are two main divisions of the path of liberation. The first is known as the householder's (or layman's) path. This consists of graduated steps of spiritual training, at the same time taking into account the following facts—the necessity of earning a livelihood, maintaining a home and providing for one's family and dependants (if any), the duties of citizenship and the obligations of social life.
The second division of the path is for those who have progressed sufficiently during the householder's life to be able entirely to renounce all worldly concerns and devote themselves wholeheartedly to the attainment of self-realization. The degree of asceticism required in this stage, demands a very high standard of mental equanimity and an almost indomitable will; therefore, it is only open to those who have successfully mastered the preliminary training.
In Western countries, only the householder's path is practicable, but it is still possible for anyone spiritually advanced, to put into practice the rules of asceticism, when opportunities arise : so there is never any cessation to the soul's progress on the path of salvation.
Conclusion :
All wisdom and knowledge is to be found in the "heart" of manthat eternal essence of him we call the soul, otherwise known as the subconscious or the superconscious mind.