Philosophy of Soul and Matter

Author(s): Chitrabhanu, Clare Rosenfield
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Center

Page 27

opium, and other drugs are powerful forms of such inanimate energy. Once such an energy is allowed to penetrate the body, it starts working on the system and dominating the mind. Once it has gone so far as to burn the brain cells, it is almost impossible for atma to reassert itself and effect a positive change.
Assert itself it must, however, for the vibrations of sentient are not meant to remain dominated, influenced, and encased by.matter. · In the company of ignorance, greed, anger, or other impure matterdominated states, sentient vibrates at a low frequency, limited by a distorted mind. Therein lies our work-- to refine the mind, to prepare it to be an accurate reflector and transmitter of the brilliant light of human consciousness. That is the active role of atnia while it is in this body.
"Through gradual exposure to right knowledge, through the consistent practice of meditation, atna prevails. It can change, bend, melt, evaporatė, or burn away the impure vibrations which condition negative mental states. Negativity is replaced by positivity, and eventually, the vibrations of sentient, which are immaterial and therefore immeasurable, claim their innate capacity to extend outward infinitely, embracing the entire universe of life.