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42
HERMANN KUHN
SUTRAS
Knowing the features and mechanisms of our current stage enables us to identify the main themes that challenge us on this level so we can deal with them far more efficiently. We thus prevent wasting time and energy on efforts that would only succeed in more advanced stages. 9
It is not necessary to believe that advanced levels of consciousness can be experienced. A neutral, inquisitive attitude and an eagerness for experimenting is entirely sufficient for our initial steps in this direction. Once we experience first results - greater clarity of perception, faster detection and dissolution of limiting concepts, bias, prejudices etc. - we obtain enough encouragement to advance further on this course.
Yet knowledge is only one feature of our consciousness. Each one of us - i.e. each living being - carries a breathtaking potential for love, power, abilities and the experience of happiness within. Though in most of us this potential is still dormant, we sense it deep inside us. We are capable of fully unfolding it at any time we choose. Once we start out on this path, it is only a question of time until this potential becomes our real experience. - The elements that do not possess consciousness (ajiva) constitute the (material) environment of our consciousness (jiva). This is matter, space, time and the media that support movement and rest. - Matter (pudgala) - is well known to us. It is the substance of all kinds of bodies, constantly moving because of its inherent qualities of attraction and repulsion and composed of energetic particles of extremely small dimensions.
Yet the Tattvarthasutra describes even more subtle forms of matter present-day science is unaware of.
9 The chapter '14 STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT' introduces these stages in more detail.
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