Notion of Growth

Author(s): Hermann Kuhn
Publisher: Crosswind Publishing Germany

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Hermann Kuhn
much our personal development is stimulated. Because of these differing features each stage has a unique feeling and significance.
By knowing which stage we presently experience and its features and mechanisms, we can deal far more efficiently with the respective themes of life. This prevents us from wasting time and energy on efforts that may succeed only on higher stages. 10
It is not necessary to believe that higher levels of consciousness can be experienced. A neutral, inquisitive attitude and a certain eagerness for experimenting is entirely sufficient for our first steps in this direction. When we experience first results - greater clarity of perception, faster identification of limiting concepts and prejudices, etc. - we receive enough confirmation to trust further directions of this kind.
Yet knowledge is not the only feature of jiva - our consciousness. According to the Jains each one of us - i.e. each living being - carries a potential within that encompasses a breathtaking width and depth of abilities, love, knowledge, power and the experience of happiness. Each one of us is able to consciously develop all this potential at any time we like. Once we start out on this path, it is only a question of time until this potential begins to become 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.
10 The chapter '14 STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT' - gunasthana' intro
duces these stages in more detail.