________________
36
Hermann Kuhn
lar point in time we often can freely decide how to respond to this stimulation. As long as we feel no emotional reaction to an event, no new karma is bound. If at this very moment we recall our decision to stop the (beginning of a new) karmic process, and act accordingly, e.g. with equanimity and patience or by consciously deciding to follow a different (positive) line of thought, emotion or action, we attract no new karmic matter. At exactly this time when everything is still open, we have the power to end unwanted karmic processes.15
Since we continually manifest part of our existing karma (and thereby dissolve its attachment to our consciousness) the mass of karmic molecules in our interactive karmic field will inevitably diminish once we stop binding new karmic matter.
- The separation of karmic matter from a living being (nirjara) happens automatically when karma becomes active (when it manifests).
The activation of karma converts its latent energy into physical form. The activation dissolves the bond between
15 A good example for this mechanism is the irritation we always feel
when a particular person is present. Yet however strong our reaction may be, whenever we meet this person, there often is a brief initial period during which we are not yet irritated. If we take this (brief) opportunity not to re-enforce our sensitivity, but decide instead to maintain distance, equanimity and peace of mind, the chances are great that our irritation will either not rise during this meeting or at least be significantly less intense.
For future encounters we then have established a pattern of behavior that will eventually free us from our previous involuntary reaction. Certainly, it takes energy to take this path, - more energy than just letting us fall into the familiar irritation, - but this is a small price to pay for freeing our consciousness from an automatic reaction that in the long run will cost us far more energy.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
