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56
Letter 8
We think and believe that teachers and books give us knowledge. But now we have to change our irrational way of thinking and start thinking rationally for ourselves. How ?........ Think a little bit and you will realise, that the process of acquiring knowledge is the work of the sentience attribute and all the other things like the books, lessons etc. even the teacher are only instrumental conditions i.e. Nimitta ffyn of this Karya and not the Karta as is usually presumed. But this is a separate subject in which we will have to go in details and that is why I am not dealing with it here.
Paryay or manifestation is not permanent, it ceases to exist after one samay. It cannot remain permanently, however hard we may try to preserve it. So naturally one who is concentrating only on the Paryay, will always be unhappy or will never be contented, but always tense and anxious.
But once you concentrate on the everlasting permanent thing behind it, which is substance or Dravya, then you are at peace and are content and free from tensions, anxiety etc.
You must have noticed that by and large the young ladies in the house are interested in the manifestations of the gold in the form of different ornaments and are aiways anxious to get them remodelled in the latest designs or fashions. But the eldest in the family are not much worried about it, because their focus is on the gold which remains permanently with the family despite recurring changes of its forms.
The study of Jain philosophy is the proper remedy or so to say, medicine to get rid of and be free from these worldly tensions and longings. Doctors give patients the medicine to induce sleep in case of insomnia or pain relieving tablets, which subside or supress pain. But that is not the final true remedy.
Philosophy actually awakens us from our wrong beliefs and misconceptions and gives us the knowledge of the true nature of the things i.e. Vastuswarup Dnyan ( 4FIN ). And as a result of that the worries or tensions do not in the first place, arise in us. So this is the true path to be free of worries or tensions and temptations of this worldly life.
Further discussion will be in my next letter.
With love.
Your Mom.
