________________
APPLICATION
14 STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
191
awareness from the first stage to the fourth - irrespective whether each single effort is successful or not.
The fact that we stay only briefly in this stage should not cause disregard for its importance. The third gunasthana (misra) is a vi
tal instrument for gaining access to higher stages of existence. 4 - In the fourth stage (avirata-samyaktva) we reach a clear, intui
tive and true understanding of the mechanisms of this world. We are no longer subjected to the strongest form of negative passionate emotions that previously overshadowed us completely, yet our life can still be impeded considerably by the three lesser intense degrees. We make some efforts to gain freedom from karmic limitations, but do not raise sufficient energy for reaching the fifth gunasthana (desavirata).
In this stage we still are subject to doubt and to the attachment or rejection of material objects. In the first two phases of this stage we can lose our clear understanding (our intuitive orientation towards growth) again. In this case we fall to the third stage (misra - mixed truth and delusion), from where we may rise again to the fourth level or - passing through the second level - fall down to the first stage of total delusion.
The fourth gunastlana is reached directly from the first stage - without any intermediary steps.
We experience this stage in three phases which differ significantly in their clarity of understanding. The differing character of these phases is caused by the length of time we stay in them. - The first phase is characterized by fleetingness.
At the first occurrence of this phase all karma (all our emotional attachments to the restrictive mechanisms of level 1) that previously prevented the shift of our awareness to level four becomes inactive (latent) for a short time.
We experience this as brief periods during which all our desires, preoccupations, prejudices and attachments that
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
