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THE NOTION OF GROWTH
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we felt during the theoretical test. Once all superfluous content is discarded we only manifest the pure ability. And this means that the new insight or ability has become an integrated and effortless part of our consciousness.
The seven steps are far more complex than can be described in this book. They also constitute one part of a comprehensive system of logic the Jains developed over the last millennium and on which a number of voluminous books have been written. Whoever likes to ponder elaborate theoretical arguments should consider reading these works.
Yet our very own, direct experience is and remains the best key to new insights. Therefore this book mainly concentrated on opening practical access to this knowledge so that everyone may understand and apply it without outside assistance.
We only experience the path to liberation by progressing on the path itself, - never by the mere reading of books or by any kind of preliminary training that only moves our start further and further into the future and carries the danger of loosing ourselves in an endless and superfluous preparation.
The path exists - but only to the extent WE begin with it.
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