________________
Metaphysics, Ethics and Spiritual Development
263
It is wretchedness to get bound by attachment for the sake of joy and happiness. But one who is the master of joy and happiness enjoys them without any impediment and obstruction. And one who is fond of that joy or bliss experienceable only on the path of spiritual progress and belonging to the type higher than that of physical joy or happiness is the true man, true hero; he soars very high beyond earthly world, remains eternally engrossed in the pure matchless bliss or joy and becomes a guiding spiritual light to the worldly men.
Above exposition shows that non-attachment or its teaching does not make man lazy, idle or inactive. Nor does it instruct him to be inactive. On the contrary, it teaches him lessons of non-violence and truthfulness. Through such education or instruction it makes him honest, truthful, benevolent, generous, charitable and imbued with the spirit of service and self-sacrifice. Mere lip-service is not enough. Even ascetics and saints are always eager to enjoy the pleasures of helping and serving others through their actual bodily activities. When man develops the right, wholesome attitude or outlook, he understands that all beings are one, that is, uniform in nature. When this divine understanding dawns upon him, he becomes elated on seeing others happy and his heart melts with the feeling of compassion on seeing the sufferings of others. Thus he experiences his identity with all beings. When this experience of identity reaches its climax, then the soul attains the acme of spiritual development, its true original nature manifests itself in its perfection, and it becomes a supreme soul absolutely pure and pristine.
Liberation (Mukti) So long as the transmigratory soul (that is, the soul covered with and obscured by karmic veils) is in the state of worldly existence (that is, in the state of karmic coveration and obscuration), it is not alone but always conjoined with body, sense-organs, mind, intellect and their associates. Hence, it is clear that development of the soul or its life depends on the development of these parts. Health of life consists in their health. If they are defective, then life is also defective and consequently the state is miserable. So it is of prime importance for us to remove all the defects pertaining to them. In other words, we should be free from bad habits,
1. ege aya /-Thāņāmgasutta, Sūtra 2
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
