Jainism and World Problems

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 98

90
JAINISM AND WORLD PROBLEMS
A new rhythın is thus established with each experience of pleasure or pain.
Let it be noted that every new rhythm thus estabļished in the Will is also unitary and simple ; it is not a compound of an existing rhythm with a new one. There is no other way in which the unitary Will can be impressed. The change of rhythm is dependent not on the occurrence of an event, but on Will's being interested in it, that is to say on its being affected with a feeling of like or dislike for it. If the Will remains absolutely unaffected by an experience and is not led to entertain a feeling of like or dislike for it, as is the case with highly advanced Ascetics, no new impression will be inade on it. We notice that our impulses are strengthened by the repetition of similar excitement, and weakened hy the refusal to be moved by the experience, and also by the cessation of repetition ; they may be destroyed when the Will coinpletely with draws its attention from the outside world and becomes altogether indifferent to it and its concerns. Nevertheless if it remains attached to a single object in the world outside itself, the destruction of the impulses cannot be achieved, since Will is unitary, and cannot be partly freed and partly held in bonds.
It is not to be supposed that like and dislike are opposite terms, and that the dislike of an object means the complete obliteration of the element of attraction for it. They are both forms of excitement, and where one is predominant the other may be latent or sub-latent.
When we intensely like a thing we like to hold it in our embrace, so to speak, and do not wish ever to be parted from it; but when we dislike an object, and the dislike is intense, we do not sit quiet, but try to push it away from ourselves, and inay even proceed to destroy it. The feeling that is really opposed to like and dislike both is that of tranquillity, that is, a total absence of excitement; for like and dislike are both only forms of internal excitement. Even indifference