Philosophy of Soul and Matter

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

Page 48

Wanting to do something and allowing conditions to hold you back makes you withdraw from carrying out a positive thought. Such a withdrawal is a withdrawal from your own commitment to growth as well. If you tell someone that you will help him and then retract your offer the moment he comes to you for aid, you are creating duality in yourself. You are making slices of your whole life. When you know this, you should say to yourself: “I don't want to turn my life into little bits and pieces. Let me live a life where I feel my words, feelings and actions in unison.” .
It is the naturc of the unenlightened mind to take form according to the object before it. If the object tempts the senses, the mind starts desiring it. If it gets what it wants, it becomes temporarily happy. That is called pleasure. If it does not get what it desires, it goes on pining for it. This leads to frustration which in turn leads to depression. That is called pain. Both pleasure and pain are transitory, the by-products of a mind enslaved to need or greed. Such a mind is nothing but an old dusty attic, filled with the old objects, thoughts, and desires which it has collected, accumulated, and reflected.
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