Mysteries of Mind

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 42

THE PLAYGROUND OF CONSCIOUSNESS
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of the energy we possess, we are unable to make use of consciousness. The result is that consciousness has become estranged from energy.
The most important step in sādhanā is to unite consciousness with energy. This union is called Yoga. However, it is not possible so far as consciousness remains encircled by ignorance and rooted in the passions. Yoga comes into being as soon as the circle of ignorance is broken.
Pramāda (infatuation) has several forms. It produces intoxication or madness in the mind of man. It makes consciousness dormant. It renders energy ineffective.
Sleep is another form of pramāda. During the state of sleep, consciousness and energy remain dormant.
Another form of pramāda is the rise of passions. In a state of anger, both consciousness and discernment disappear.
Sloth or sluggishness is yet another form of pramāda. It results in lack of enthusiasm in spiritual exertion.
People are unenthusiastic in self-exertion or sādhana because they are not self-wakeful. We have, therefore, to bring about a change in our mentality in order to become self-wakeful. In this respect consciousness will be of great help to us. First of all, we have to be aware of the fact that we have an inexhaustible source of energy in us. This awareness will give us the conviction that our energy can be utilized in our spiritual progress. We have to be familiar with the powers we possess before they can be put to use.
There were fourteen pūrvas (original scriptures of the Jains). They were repositories of knowledge and enlightenment. One of them was entitled Virya Pravāda. Its subjectmatter was the sources and applications of energy. It discussed no other subject. The book is not traceable today. It described the powers inherent in living and non-living or conscious and unconscious beings. Like living beings, nonliving beings also possess infinite energy. The book described various kinds of energy possessed by non-living beings. The energy contained in matter, space and time is infinite. The energy possessed by non-living beings can be of great use to living beings also.
I would make a few observations in this connection. Certain places have wonderful energy. One place enlivens